We all know that American has plans to reconfigure its subfleet of “premium” Airbus A321T plane, which function choose transcontinental routes. I wished to cowl what we find out about how that is going to occur, together with new info that the primary plane is anticipated to be reconfigured within the subsequent month.
The fundamentals of American’s A321T fleet
American operates a particular subfleet of Airbus A321s (often called A321Ts), which serve premium transcontinental routes, together with from New York to Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Orange County.
These planes are distinctive, and among the many most comfy methods to fly inside america. They characteristic simply 102 seats, and embrace 4 seating choices:
- There are 10 firstclass absolutely flat reverse herringbone seats with direct aisle entry, in a 1-1 configuration
- There are 20 enterprise class absolutely flat seats, in a 2-2 configuration
- There are 72 economic system seats, with 36 of these seats being Predominant Cabin Further, that includes further legroom; all economic system seats have private televisions, in contrast to the remainder of American’s home fleet
American will substitute A321Ts with A321XLRs
In 2022, American revealed plans to get rid of its subfleet of Airbus A321T plane. Right here’s what that plan at present seems to be like:
- A321Ts might be configured in the usual A321 format, that includes 190 seats, and might be taken off premium transcon routes; these planes are a mean of simply over 10 years outdated, so have fairly a little bit of life left in them
- American has 50 Airbus A321XLRs on order, which might be delivered beginning in 2025 (barring any extra delays, that are after all doable); these planes will finally be flown on premium transcontinental routes, along with deliberate transatlantic service, and can substitute A321Ts
- American’s A321XLRs might be in a premium configuration, and can characteristic an all-new enterprise class with direct aisle entry and doorways, plus a premium economic system cabin
I discover American’s logic with this considerably puzzling. On the one hand, A321XLRs are form of “wasted” on transcon routes, which they’ve much more vary than normal A321s (which may function these routes with out difficulty). Moreover, by first changing current A321Ts with A321XLRs, it’s going to be years till American has sufficient A321XLRs to develop throughout the Atlantic.
Alternatively, American is concentrated on fleet simplicity, and there’s something to be stated for having fewer subfleets. Planes might then be operated on each premium transcontinental and transatlantic flights. Moreover, American’s premium transcon enterprise class isn’t actually aggressive anymore, with Delta and United principally providing direct aisle entry enterprise class on these routes.
There’s an fascinating replace now, because the all the time knowledgable @xJonNYC shares that American’s first A321T is anticipated to be transformed to a typical home configuration throughout the subsequent month. Nonetheless, this can be a one-time factor, and is a prototype to get paperwork authorized for this work to be carried out sooner or later. The following jet after that may solely be reconfigured as soon as the A321XLRs begin to be delivered.
When will American get rid of “premium” firstclass?
We all know that American is planning on eliminating its “premium” firstclass, which is at present out there on Airbus A321T and Boeing 777-300ER plane:
- American’s Boeing 777-300ERs have eight firstclass seats
- American’s Airbus A321Ts have 10 firstclass seats
Formally, American has said that the plan is to get rid of “premium” firstclass as of late 2024. When that plan was made, the intent on the time was that this is able to coincide with the timeline for A321XLRs being delivered, in addition to 777-300ERs being reconfigured.
I can’t assist however marvel if perhaps that timeline has been pushed again a bit, and we would now be taking a look at 2025. In any case:
- A321XLR deliveries have been pushed again from 2024 to 2025, and there’s all the time the opportunity of extra delays, given how certification for brand new plane has been drawn out these days
- American has had supply delays with its new “premium” 787-9s, which is the place the brand new enterprise class is meant to launch
So we received’t see the primary A321XLR earlier than 2025 on the earliest, although it’s anybody’s guess when American chooses to cease promoting its “premium” firstclass product. In any case, throughout a transitionary interval, the airline might simply begin promoting firstclass seats as premium enterprise class seats, in order that there’s no have to differentiate the gentle product.
With American eliminating firstclass, there are additionally questions on what which means for the way forward for Flagship First Eating amenities. My hope is that American finds a solution to hold these and monetize them (like with Flagship Enterprise Plus fares), quite than eliminating them altogether, as they’re fairly particular.
Backside line
American plans to discontinue its “premium” firstclass within the subsequent yr or so. As a part of this, the service’s subfleet of Airbus A321Ts might be reconfigured into a typical home format, whereas newly delivered Airbus A321XLRs might be used to function premium transcontinental routes.
The brand new A321XLRs will nonetheless characteristic three cabins, although they’ll have enterprise class and premium economic system quite than the present firstclass and enterprise class (along with economic system). American is already reconfiguring its first A321T in a typical home configuration within the close to future, although that is only a prototype, with the opposite jets being reconfigured as A321XLRs are delivered.
What do you make of American’s plans for premium transcontinental routes?
