<div id="readability-page-1"><div><ul><li>American Airlines' new A321XLR will replace its dated A321Ts and expand its transatlantic network.</li><li>There is no more first class, but business class comes with more privacy and better bathroom access.</li><li>I like the Bluetooth-capable screens and the cozy premium cabins, but I'd avoid row 25.</li></ul><p>Out with the old and in with the new: American Airlines' niche cross-country Airbus jet is getting a major upgrade.</p><p>On Thursday, I toured American's first-ever Airbus A321XLR — a stretched narrowbody that can fly up to 5,400 miles (11 hours) nonstop thanks to an extra fuel tank. It's the first among US carriers.</p><p>American's A321XLR will replace roughly a dozen of its aging A321T jets that fly select domestic routes. The &#34;T&#34; stands for transcontinental, and the specific aircraft type is an Airbus A321-200.</p><p>For about a decade, the A321T has shuttled high-paying business and first-class passengers across the US as American's bi-coastal workhorse.</p><p>The modern A321XLR, which will launch its first cross-country route from New York to Los Angeles on December 18, retains the A321T's signature three-class layout and enhanced meal and drink service.</p><p>But the most premium cabins will feature a distinctly different design. There's no more first class; instead, a single front business cabin in a 1x1 configuration will give travelers direct aisle access.</p><p>There is also a premium economy cabin. And the coach cabin has been fine-tuned with more comfortable seats, USB-C outlets, and Bluetooth-compatible seatback screens.</p><p>Fares on New York—Los Angeles flights hover around $200 round-trip in economy, $1,000 in premium economy, and $2,000 in business in early 2026, rising during the busier spring break, summer, and holiday seasons.</p><p>Unlike the A321T, the A321XLR will also fly transatlantic routes, beginning with New York to Edinburgh in March and eventually expanding to other European destinations. Tickets start at $600 in coach, $2,700 in premium economy, and $3,700 in business before peak-season increases.</p><p>Transatlantic flying is central to the A321XLR's appeal: its range makes longer routes viable and opens access to far-flung cities that can't support a widebody (e.g., a Boeing 767 or an Airbus A330) or are out of reach for older narrowbodies. Think New York to West Africa or Florida to Northern Italy.</p><p>American sees the A321XLR as an opportunity to tap into this growing market for long, thin transatlantic routes while rebuilding a long-haul footprint to catch up to Delta and United, which have recovered and expanded faster post-COVID.</p><p>Still, it also marks the end of an era for the A321T. But I think most customers will likely welcome the upgrades — particularly business class' sliding doors and easier bathroom access.</p><p>Though there are a few asterisks: American said the doors won't be usable for a couple of months, and economy passengers in row 25 should expect a windowless view.</p><p>The aircraft is premium-heavy with just 155 seats.</p><figure><div><div><p><span><img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/z3lWtS1aTeLo5E15WHZAsQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTc3Ng--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/insider_articles_922/50b5159fa841e9aec0661c8bd6465681?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="960" height="776" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/z3lWtS1aTeLo5E15WHZAsQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTc3Ng--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/insider_articles_922/50b5159fa841e9aec0661c8bd6465681"/></span></p></div></div><p></p><figcaption>American Airlines invited media to tour its A321XLR at New York-JFK's Terminal 8 on Thursday.<span>Taylor Rains/Business Insider</span></figcaption><p></p></figure><p>American has abandoned its A321T Flagship First for a single Flagship Business cabin with 20 private pod-like suites.</p><p>There are also 12 premium economy recliners, and 123 regular economy seats. This is down from the 190 on the A321T</p><p>American designed the A321XLR to cater to high-paying business and leisure passengers who want added space and comforts at 39,000 feet, and the dated A321T was no longer cutting it.</p><p>Business takes up every possible inch of cabin space.</p><figure><div><div><p><span><img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/JNIu62wU1hXGC1Fazosdmg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcyMA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/insider_articles_922/1c8976099faf8e5983fb3aec194b15fd?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="960" height="720" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/JNIu62wU1hXGC1Fazosdmg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcyMA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/insider_articles_922/1c8976099faf8e5983fb3aec194b15fd"/></span></p></div></div><p></p><figcaption>The features in American's A321XLR business class seat.<span>Taylor Rains/Business Insider</span></figcaption><p></p></figure><p>Fitting a suite-style business seat onto a narrowbody jet is a careful game of Tetris to ensure every foot of cabin real-estate is making money.</p><p>And American packed in a lot: a bed, a large tray table, a Bluetooth-capable screen, a remote control, charging ports, and storage space.</p><p>I liked all the amenities and found the cabin to be chic, modern, and spacious overall.</p><p>You won't have a neighbor blocking you from the bathroom.</p><figure><div><div><p><span><img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/9sE0nq.eO9YgMdB9P0xjaw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcyMA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/insider_articles_922/cb23bf8e8355fc58da1b010f326dea80?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="960" height="720" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/9sE0nq.eO9YgMdB9P0xjaw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcyMA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/insider_articles_922/cb23bf8e8355fc58da1b010f326dea80"/></span></p></div></div><p></p><figcaption>The business class aisle seat on American's A321T can box in the window seat passenger.<span>First Class Photography/Shutterstock</span></figcaption><p></p></figure><p>The A321XLR suites are arranged in a 1x1 layout — a major upgrade from the A321T's 2x2 business configuration that essentially trapped window-seat passengers whenever their neighbor went lie-flat.</p><p>Now, every A321XLR business-class passenger gets direct aisle access. The A321T's first class is 1×1.</p><p>The A321T does not have doors.</p><figure><div><div><p><span><img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/wFhuqRk1KH7Em3nRxLQI1A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcyMA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/insider_articles_922/d077e420ad68f289a79c3b8602c38e70?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="960" height="720" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/wFhuqRk1KH7Em3nRxLQI1A--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcyMA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/insider_articles_922/d077e420ad68f289a79c3b8602c38e70"/></span></p></div></div><p></p><figcaption>The pictured A321T Flagship First has dated remote controls and televisions compared to the A321XLR's business class.<span>First Class Photography/Shutterstock</span></figcaption><p></p></figure><p>Among the biggest comfort requests from premium travelers worldwide is better privacy in business class.</p><p>The A321XLR achieves this with a redesigned layout and sliding doors that give it the feel of a flying mini-hotel.</p><p>The A321XLR's door comes with a tradeoff.</p><figure><div><div><p><span><img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/yIkjF.QzEFL45rTmAeQPQg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcyMA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/insider_articles_922/df5694d61a1b7ba07a91f3eae30cccb1?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="960" height="720" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/yIkjF.QzEFL45rTmAeQPQg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcyMA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/insider_articles_922/df5694d61a1b7ba07a91f3eae30cccb1"/></span></p></div></div><p></p><figcaption>American's A321XLR Flagship Business class is like a flying pod-style hotel.<span>Taylor Rains/Business Insider</span></figcaption><p></p></figure><p>The bulkier business seats narrow the cabin's single aisle to the point where there's barely any room to squeeze by another person. That tight space could create bottlenecks near the lavatory or make the aisle impassable during meal service.</p><p>Another caveat: an American spokesperson told Business Insider that the new sliding door can't be used until the airline secures certification for the feature, which they said is expected in the &#34;coming months.&#34;</p><p>There is no oversized front-row &#34;studio&#34; option.</p><figure><div><div><p><span><img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Hup1Zcyzgqc1E9zOMDN.ng--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcyMA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/insider_articles_922/c73403ccc8dc8b8d1b5de688efbf7e5c?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="960" height="720" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Hup1Zcyzgqc1E9zOMDN.ng--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcyMA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/insider_articles_922/c73403ccc8dc8b8d1b5de688efbf7e5c"/></span></p></div></div><p></p><figcaption>American has modernized its business class.<span>Taylor Rains/Business Insider</span></figcaption><p></p></figure><p>JetBlue Airways offers a two-passenger front-row &#34;Mint Studio&#34; on its A321LR (the A321XLR's predecessor). It's a conference-style setup that allows the airline to charge a premium for the extra space.</p><p>American's A321XLR lacks this suite, meaning it can't capture the potential extra revenue, but it preserves lucrative cabin real estate.</p><p>The A321XLR offers a true premium economy.</p><figure><div><div><p><span><img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/dni6kyYZUEh7iC5.ODBsNw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcyMA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/insider_articles_922/0442792ced30bdde504698cc882d9d37?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="960" height="720" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/dni6kyYZUEh7iC5.ODBsNw--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcyMA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/insider_articles_922/0442792ced30bdde504698cc882d9d37"/></span></p></div></div><p></p><figcaption>Premium economy is becoming an increasingly popular and more affordable alternative to business class.<span>Taylor Rains/Business Insider</span></figcaption><p></p></figure><p>Unlike the A321T, American's A321XLR will have a dedicated premium economy section.</p><p>The 2×2 cabin features winged recliners, adjustable leg and footrests, elevated food and beverage options, 37 inches of pitch, and an amenity kit. Customers also get priority check-in and boarding.</p><p>Although the recliners do not offer the same bedroom-like experience as those at the front of the plane, they are sometimes hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars more expensive than coach.</p><p>Economy is consistent with American's other long-haul cabins.</p><figure><div><div><p><span><img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/dMC6EGtzEwQ02lH9ZjL1wA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcyMA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/insider_articles_922/9cc443f7522f2b140735367b2e20b84c?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="960" height="720" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/dMC6EGtzEwQ02lH9ZjL1wA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcyMA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/insider_articles_922/9cc443f7522f2b140735367b2e20b84c"/></span></p></div></div><p></p><figcaption>The economy section is sleek with the regular bells and whistles, like a seatback screen and a headrest.<span>Taylor Rains/Business Insider</span></figcaption><p></p></figure><p>Customers can expect the standard seatback screen, adjustable headrests, 31-inch pitch seats, and food already offered on American's A321T and most transatlantic flights.</p><p>Extra legroom seats make up the first few coach rows and are distinguished by their brown headrests. Standard seats have a blue one.</p><p>It's still much glitzier than the A321T.</p><figure><div><div><p><span><img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/.dnklRoEZV15yJ8hfCMuUg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcyMA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/insider_articles_922/419634e26f4326599ce4e91e84840b5e?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="960" height="720" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/.dnklRoEZV15yJ8hfCMuUg--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcyMA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/insider_articles_922/419634e26f4326599ce4e91e84840b5e"/></span></p></div></div><p></p><figcaption>TKTK<span>Anneta Konstantinides/Business Insider</span></figcaption><p></p></figure><p>The A321T seats have a different color scheme and dated amenities compared to the A321XLR.</p><p>There was one particularly noteworthy new perk.</p><figure><div><div><p><span><img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/SEZNZZVqOL3MD6ScMz5kaA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcyMA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/insider_articles_922/252acaf7f91a175480621f2963198797?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="960" height="720" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/SEZNZZVqOL3MD6ScMz5kaA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcyMA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/insider_articles_922/252acaf7f91a175480621f2963198797"/></span></p></div></div><p></p><figcaption>American said free WiFi for its AAdvantage members was coming in 2026.<span>Taylor Rains/Business Insider</span></figcaption><p></p></figure><p>I was happy to see that the screens in every cabin, including coach, are Bluetooth-capable. The A321T is not.</p><p>I can finally use my AirPods instead of the often scratchy and uncomfortable airline-provided wired headphones.</p><p>I would avoid row 25.</p><figure><div><div><p><span><img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/8ntNHw0YMF.aLTOdqunnWA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcyMA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/insider_articles_922/bf5b7061effd512cf9447be95a0a80de?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="960" height="720" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/8ntNHw0YMF.aLTOdqunnWA--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTk2MDtoPTcyMA--/https://media.zenfs.com/en/insider_articles_922/bf5b7061effd512cf9447be95a0a80de"/></span></p></div></div><p></p><figcaption>A windowless seat is not uncommon on narrowbody planes, but its good to know where they are.<span>Taylor Rains/Business Insider</span></figcaption><p></p></figure><p>There is almost always one row on these new narrowbody planes that does not have a window. On American's A321XLR, that's row 25.</p><p>Customers here will be treated to a wall panel with no outside view — so it may be worth paying extra to avoid these windowless seats.</p><p>Though some customers may prefer it for sleeping.</p><p>Read the original article on Business Insider</p></div></div>

EADSY

<p>American Airlines is replacing its A321T jets with the new A321XLR, enhancing its transatlantic network. The A321XLR features a single business cabin with beds and doors, eliminating first class. It offers improved privacy, bathroom access, and modern amenities like Bluetooth screens. The aircraft will launch its first route from New York to Los Angeles on December 18, and expand to transatlantic routes, starting with New York to Edinburgh in March. The A321XLR aims to tap into long, thin transatlantic routes, marking a significant upgrade from the A321T.</p>

I toured the new Airbus plane that will replace American's one-of-a-kind A321T. See how the cabins compare.