Skift Take
American’s Jet A319 and A320 fleet will quickly have more first class seating, bigger overhead bins and outlets at every seat.
Meghna Maharishi
American Airlines is wagering big on domestic very first class.
The provider stated it plans to retrofit its Plane A319s and A320s in 2025 to accommodate more first class seating, larger overhead bins and outlets at every seat as part of a push to satisfy growing need for premium travel.
The A319 fleet will include 12 domestic first class seats, while the A320s will have a total of 16 very first class seats. With the retrofits, American anticipates to expand premium seating on its fleet by more than 20% by 2026.
American’s growth into very first class comes as the carrier positioned a blockbuster for 260 airplane, which includes 85 Boeing 737 Max 10s and 85 Airbus A321neos.
Because the pandemic, airline companies have reported a surge in demand for premium seating, even from leisure travelers. And it seems as if that trend is here to remain.
For instance, Delta Air Lines announced in January that it would include 8 more first class seats on its Plane A350 fleet. The Atlanta-based provider also recently rolled out new premium seats on its Boeing 737-800s that give guests more privacy and storage space.
United Airlines is likewise in the procedure of upgrading its very first class seating on narrowbody jets. The Chicago-based carrier revealed brand-new very first class seats in July for its Boeing 737s that have charging stations and winged headrests.
American also plans to expand the number of premium seats on its intercontinental by 60% by 2026, with chief business officer Vasu Raja stating the airline has actually discovered a broader pattern toward combined organization and leisure travel. At the Skift Global Forum in 2022, Raja said such blended journeys comprised half of American’s profits.