According to American Airlines, from this summer the Fort-Worth based carrier will offer more premium seats than its rivals, across the industry’s leading domestic and short-haul international network.
The message comes as American Airlines announced on June 23, 2026, that it is introducing more premium seats through its Airbus A319 and A320 retrofit program.
Through the aircraft upgrade, American A319 passengers will see the carrier’s premium class cabin increase to 12 seats and rise to 16 when travelling on A320s.
The airline said that the aircraft interior is similar in design and finish to the newly delivered Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A321XLR.
“We are excited to introduce our refreshed interiors and new premium seats on our narrowbody aircraft, offering our customers more space to stow their carry-ons and a convenient way to power their devices,” American’s CCO, Heather Garboden, said. “We’ve strengthened the journey from curb to cabin, and we are excited for customers to fly on these aircraft this summer and beyond.”
The upgraded aircraft include power at every seat, larger overhead bins, enhanced mood lighting and updated trim and finish.
The premium cabin will also feature a redesigned seat with privacy wings, additional storage space, and two cocktail beverage trays.
While there are no seat back screens, there has been reports that American Airlines is considering reintroducing them on its narrowbody fleet.
The premium cabin experience is also elevated with new chef-inspired menus and beverage service.
Can American close the gap with United and Delta?
American Airlines has been under mounting pressure to close the service gap with competitors Delta Air Lines and United Airlines.
In January 2026, unhappy American Airlines cabin crew staff launched a scathing assessment of the carrier’s CEO Robert Isom following the publication of its financial results.
Central to the argument put forward by cabin crew staff is the perception that Delta Air Lines and United Airlines are surging ahead in the ultra-competitive US market, leaving American Airlines a distant third.
“While we are pleased American achieved a small profit, our airline continues to lag its competitors by a significant margin. This is no longer an anomaly, but rather a pattern of failure under the leadership of CEO Robert Isom and the American Airlines Board of Directors,” the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) said in January 2026.