FLEET / ROUTES - A suite first flight: American’s new Airbus A321XLR debuts on transcontinental route

 

• Departing at 11 a.m. ET, American’s new Airbus A321XLR flew its first flight from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
• American is the first U.S.-based airline to operate the A321XLR, which offers customers Flagship Suite®, Premium Economy and Main Cabin experiences.
• Starting next spring, the airline plans to operate the A321XLR on routes between JFK-Edinburgh (EDI), JFK-San Francisco (SFO) and Boston (BOS)-LAX.

The Airbus A321XLR is a class above the rest, offering customers Flagship Suite®, Premium Economy and Main Cabin experiences.

 FORT WORTH, Texas — American has elevated transcontinental travel today with the inaugural flight of its Airbus A321XLR, carrying more than 150 passengers between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). As the only U.S.-based airline to operate the A321XLR, the aircraft is a class above the rest, offering customers a Flagship Suite®, Premium Economy and Main Cabin experience.

Customers on the inaugural received a gift bag that included a specially designed flight tag to commemorate the aircraft’s first transcontinental flight.

“We’re excited that you’re here today to celebrate the debut of this new aircraft to our fleet, American’s Chief Customer Officer Heather Garboden said in a note to passengers on Flight 3. “From premium design details to Bluetooth connectivity to elevated entertainment, every feature on this plane has been thoughtfully crafted so you can enjoy transcontinental travel in comfort.”

As American takes delivery of additional A321XLR aircraft, the airline will schedule the aircraft on its transcontinental routes between Boston (BOS)-LAX and JFK-San Francisco (SFO) for service starting early next year. This additional transcontinental service will complement new service between JFK and Edinburgh, Scotland (EDI), that will launch on the XLR on March 8, 2026.

American's inaugural A321XLR flight from JFK to LAX received a water cannon salute upon departure.

Boston (BOS) - Los Angeles (LAX) - July 2, 2026

New York (JFK) - San Francisco (SFO) - May 7, 2026

Tickets will be available for purchase on aa.com and American’s mobile app later this month.

Featuring the luxurious 20 Flagship Suite® seats, a dozen relaxing Premium Economy seats and 123 reimagined Main Cabin seats, American is offering customers a refined premium transcontinental journey with high-speed Wi-Fi and complimentary seatback entertainment featuring Bluetooth connectivity.

Customers traveling in the Flagship Suite® seat have direct aisle access, lie-flat seating, more storage space and wireless charging. Premium Economy seats feature enhanced winged headrests, calf and footrests and wireless charging.