Carrier adds JFK-San Francisco, Boston-LA routes as it phases out ultra-premium 102-seat transcontinental configuration in favor of 155-seat narrowbody jets.
American Airlines is expanding deployment of its new Airbus A321XLR aircraft with two additional transcontinental routes, marking the continued phase-out of the carrier’s ultra-premium A321T configuration that featured first-class service.
The airline will begin flying the 155-seat XLR variant daily between New York JFK and San Francisco starting May 7, with service ramping up to five daily flights by early October. A second route connecting Boston and Los Angeles will launch July 2 with three daily flights, expanding to four daily departures by August 5.
The moves signal American’s strategic shift away from its 102-seat A321T aircraft, which the carrier is retiring after determining the configuration was not meeting expectations. The A321T featured 10 first-class seats, a premium product the XLR does not offer.
American’s first XLR entered commercial service December 18. The carrier currently operates two of the long-range narrowbody jets, with additional aircraft scheduled for delivery throughout 2026.
The new configuration eliminates first class entirely but maintains a competitive premium product. Each XLR features 20 lie-flat business-class seats in a 1-1 layout, 12 premium economy seats with 38-inch pitch in a 2-2 configuration, 12 main cabin extra seats, and 111 standard economy seats.
The shift represents a 53% increase in capacity per aircraft. When the XLR replaces the A321T on routes, passengers lose access to first class but gain an additional 12 premium economy seats and 51 economy seats per departure.
On the JFK-San Francisco route, XLR frequency will vary seasonally. The aircraft will operate once daily initially, increasing to four times daily between June 4 and July 1. From July 2 through September 8, service drops to three daily flights before returning to four daily on September 9 and peaking at five daily from October 5 through October 24.
During peak periods, the XLR will be the sole aircraft type serving the route, though it will coexist with the A321T on some occasions as the older configuration is phased out. As XLR departures increase, A321T flights decrease correspondingly.
The Boston-Los Angeles route will see three daily XLR flights from July 2 through August 4, expanding to four daily from August 5 through October 24. Current schedules indicate the XLR will be the only aircraft serving this city pair when operating four daily flights, though the A321T is scheduled to reappear on October 25 under tentative plans.
American currently has four confirmed XLR routes: JFK to Edinburgh, Los Angeles and San Francisco, plus Boston to Los Angeles. The carrier’s first long-haul XLR deployment launches March 8 with daily service to Edinburgh, Scotland, operating through October 23. The route marks American’s return to the Scottish capital after withdrawing service in 2018, when it used Boeing 757-200 aircraft.
The Edinburgh flights will temporarily make American the only U.S. carrier operating European service on narrowbody equipment. The airline previously operated transatlantic narrowbody routes but discontinued the practice.
American is reportedly considering additional XLR deployments, with industry sources suggesting a potential Philadelphia-Porto route. If launched, the service would represent the carrier’s first flights to Portugal’s second-largest city. The airline may also deploy the XLR on existing routes from JFK to Las Vegas and Orange County, though no announcements have been made.
The most recent schedule data indicates American plans up to 12 daily XLR departures from East Coast hubs by 2026, though the airline cautions that schedules remain subject to change as delivery timelines and operational requirements evolve.
The A321XLR, which stands for “extra long range,” is designed for routes up to 4,700 nautical miles and competes with widebody aircraft on thinner long-haul markets. Airlines view the type as economically advantageous for routes that cannot sustain larger twin-aisle jets.
American is part of the oneworld alliance and operates from major hubs including Dallas/Fort Worth, Charlotte, Chicago O’Hare, Miami, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Washington Reagan National, in addition to its significant presence at New York JFK and Boston Logan.
Key Takeaways
- American Airlines is deploying its 155-seat A321XLR on two new transcontinental routes starting in May and July, replacing its 102-seat A321T configuration that featured first class.
- The XLR offers 20 lie-flat business-class seats and 12 premium economy seats but eliminates first class, representing a fundamental shift in American’s premium transcontinental strategy.
- Service begins May 7 on JFK-San Francisco with up to five daily flights planned by October, and July 2 on Boston-Los Angeles with up to four daily flights.
- American’s first international XLR route launches March 8 to Edinburgh, with potential future service to Porto, Portugal under consideration.
