American Airlines to Unveil New Seats and Cabins, Add More International Wi-Fi

American Airlines jet at JFK

[Editor’s note: complete details of the announcement are available here:  American Airlines Marks One-Year Merger Anniversary with $2 Billion Investment in Planes, Lounges, and Passenger Experience]

American Airlines, which merged one year ago with US Airways to form the world’s largest airline, will announce a number of significant updates to its existing fleet and facilities on Monday.

The plans include new seats on older aircraft, updated lounges, and the addition in-flight Wi-Fi on more international flights, according to persons familiar with the plans.

The Fort Worth-based airline will equip 35 of its Boeing 757 planes with fully lie-flat business-class seats and almost 100 Airbus A319s will get all-new seats as well as power outlets throughout the plane.

American, which was the first airline to offer domestic in-flight Internet service as Gogo’s launch customer, will add satellite-based connectivity on its 757s and 767-300s to provide in-flight Internet on more international flights.  The airline’s new Boeing 777-300ERs already have this capability.  The airline also plans to add 400 kiosks in and around gate areas to support a variety of functions including reprinting boarding passes and obtaining upgraded seats.

The carrier is in the midst of a $2 billion program that is replacing much of its current but aging fleet.  In July 2011, American placed what was then a record order for new aircraft, ordering 200 Boeing 737 planes and 260 Airbus A320 aircraft.  The airline also has an order for 42 787 Dreamliners that was first placed by the carrier in 2008.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)