If flying has felt a little more stressful—tighter seats, fewer perks and rising prices—you’re not imagining it. Airlines across the U.S. have spent years trimming costs, and travelers have felt the impact. Now, American Airlines says it’s ready to shift gears.
Over the next couple of years, the airline is rolling out a wave of updates meant to make flights feel more comfortable, more reliable and—at least in some ways—more enjoyable. While some of the changes are aimed at premium and long-haul travelers, American says many of the upgrades are designed to improve the experience across the cabin, whether you’re flying economy for a quick weekend trip or settling in for an overnight flight.
“We know that customers expect more. We know that premium has become incredibly important,” Heather Garboden, American’s chief customer officer, said on an episode of the airline’s podcast, Tell Me Why, over the summer.
That focus on premium is already showing up in some concrete ways. Under her tenure, American has introduced a revamped mobile app, added more buy-on-board options and brought back second drink service on economy. Garboden has said American plans to add 30% more premium seats to its domestic fleet by 2030, along with a 50% increase in premium seating on long-haul international aircraft by the end of the decade—changes that will gradually reshape cabin layouts and onboard offerings.
Garboden, who was promoted to her role in February 2025, now oversees the airline’s evolving customer experience and leads a new Customer Experience Advisory Board made up of hospitality experts and former executives from brands like Marriott and Auberge Resorts.
For passengers, the result will be a mix of visible upgrades and behind-the-scenes changes that start rolling out over the next year. Here’s what travelers can expect to notice by 2026:
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View this post on InstagramOn international routes and select coast-to-coast flights, American is adding new lie-flat seats with privacy doors. Even if you’re not booking business class, these upgrades often come alongside refreshed cabins throughout the plane.
2. Nicer Planes on Popular Routes
American’s new aircraft—Boeing 787-9P and Airbus A321XLR—planes that will be flying busy routes like New York to Los Angeles and some transatlantic routes—are designed to feel more modern overall, with updated interiors and better spacing throughout the cabin.
From better coffee (American recently announced it was switching to Lavazza) to Bolinger champagne in premium cabins, American is investing in higher-quality onboard food and beverage options—improvements that often trickle down into economy offerings over time.
4. Faster Inflight Wi-Fi
Whether you’re answering emails, streaming a show, or texting family, American is working to deliver faster, more reliable satellite Wi-Fi on more planes. They also plan to offer complimentary Wi-Fi for AAdvantage members starting in January 2026.
Even regional and shorter routes are getting attention, with nearly 300 aircraft getting retrofitted with cleaner designs, updated materials, power outlets at every seat and a more consistent look and feel across the fleet.
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6. More Perks for Frequent Flyers
American is expanding its loyalty and credit card benefits, including a new exclusive deal with Citibank. These upgraded programs will provide earlier boarding, seat upgrades or extra miles—even for travelers who don’t fly every week.
7. A Bigger Focus on Reliability
Behind the scenes, the airline says it’s investing in technology and planning aimed at reducing delays and disruptions—one of the biggest pain points for travelers.
No single upgrade fixes everything, and not every passenger will feel these changes at the same time. Some flyers—especially those booking basic economy—may notice trade-offs, including the recent move to stop earning miles on the lowest fares.
Still, taken together, American’s updates point to a broader shift: an attempt to make flying feel less purely transactional and a little more human again in ways where it's felt most.
For travelers, that could translate to smoother trips, more comfortable planes and small details that make a long day of flying feel just a bit easier—whether you’re in seat 3A or 32B.
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Sources:
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