American Airlines says it will reverse course on in-flight cabin features by bringing back seatback screens and adding more premium seats. The airline plans to install 4K seatback screens across its narrowbody fleet starting in 2028 and to increase the share of seats marketed as premium.
The reported changes include expanding premium seating and improving legroom, with some outlets noting additions such as more first class space and extra-legroom Economy options. Multiple sources frame the move as an attempt to catch up with rivals Delta and United, which have been emphasizing premium onboard experiences.
Outlets differ mainly in emphasis: some focus on the “U-turn” from a prior strategy that removed such amenities, while others stress the business goal of driving revenue by making the onboard product more comparable to competitors. The common thread across coverage is a planned rollout beginning in 2028 and a broader cabin reconfiguration aimed at offering more premium capacity and features.
