American Airlines announces a return of seatback entertainment and an expansion of premium seating across its narrow-body fleet. Multiple outlets report the airline will install screens at essentially every seat and also increase offerings for higher-paying passengers, including more premium and first-class seats.
The change marks a reversal of a strategy American pursued more than a decade ago, when it removed seatback screens and bet that passengers would use personal devices for entertainment. Business and aviation outlets describe the move as an effort to close a perceived gap with rivals such as Delta and United by improving the in-cabin product.
Reporting also emphasizes timing and scope. CNBC and The Points Guy say the updates are planned to roll out starting in 2028, with seatback screens extending across mainline planes and premium cabins seeing additional capacity. Other outlets add details that the retrofit will cover a large portion of the narrow-body fleet, including aircraft such as Boeing 737 and Airbus A321, with installations expected to conclude in the early 2030s, depending on the aircraft group.
