Overview
- American became the first U.S. carrier to fly the Airbus A321XLR on December 18, launching the type on New York–Los Angeles.
- The 155‑seat layout includes 20 lie‑flat business suites, 12 premium economy seats, and 123 in the main cabin, though suite doors must remain open pending certification early next year.
- Initial deployment stays on key transcontinental routes, with Boston–Los Angeles and JFK–San Francisco to follow early next year before a March 8, 2026 launch of JFK–Edinburgh.
- American has 50 A321XLRs on order; a second jet arrived December 16, several more await cabin installation in Ostrava, and the airline expects about 40 in service by decade’s end.
- Alongside the debut, American announced 15 new routes for 2026, adding Lincoln, Nebraska as its 240th U.S. destination and planning a larger summer schedule from Chicago O’Hare.