American Airlines Unveils Its Newest Luxury Jet

American Airlines is about to introduce its newest and most luxurious narrowbody aircraft, the Airbus A321XLR. This jet is set to make its first commercial flight in just a week, and the airline recently gave a sneak peek of the plane at an event in New York. The A321XLR is packed with upgrades, including new business class suites, a revamped premium economy, and an improved main cabin. This aircraft is a big deal for American Airlines, as it plans to use it to explore new routes and increase flights on existing ones. The event took place at Terminal 8 at JFK Airport. After some speeches from airline executives, guests were allowed to tour the plane. This comes about two months after American Airlines officially received the aircraft at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. This aircraft is a big milestone for American Airlines, as it is the first Airbus A321XLR to be certified by the FAA. It will also be the first XLR to operate in the US, with American Airlines being the first to use it. The airline is also making history with its premium layout on a global scale. The business class cabin on the A321XLR features 20 lie-flat seats with direct aisle access, privacy doors, and wireless charging. Premium Economy has 12 seats with new winged headrests and cushioning. The remaining 123 seats are in the Main Cabin, arranged in a 3-3 configuration. The A321XLR will replace American Airlines' existing A321T fleet, which operates on cross-country routes. Each seatback is equipped with a screen for inflight entertainment, and the seats offer Bluetooth connectivity. In other news, American Airlines has started testing free WiFi for AAdvantage members on select flights. The carrier plans to roll out the offering next year, thanks to its partnership with AT&T. The arrival of the A321XLR is a long time coming. In 2020, American Airlines decided to retire its remaining 757-200s early. However, with the XLR facing certification challenges, delivery delays left a gap in the airline’s operation. Now, with the first of 50 airframes to be delivered, American Airlines anticipates that the XLR will open new market opportunities and allow frequencies to be added on existing routes.