American Airlines is preparing to introduce the Airbus A321XLR into its transatlantic operations, marking a shift in strategy among major US carriers. The airline has started receiving deliveries of the aircraft and is focusing on pilot training and operational readiness for long-haul flights using narrowbody jets.
Delta Air Lines, another leading US carrier, has chosen not to operate narrowbody aircraft on transatlantic routes due to concerns about brand perception. Delta President Glen Hauenstein stated during a recent earnings call: “Our product is best in class in the transatlantic [market]. (…) We’ve chosen not to fly narrowbodies in the transatlantic [market] because of product and brand issues. So we’re not going to go in that direction.”
While Delta continues to use widebody planes such as the Airbus A330, A350, and Boeing 767 for most of its transatlantic flights—with only a seasonal exception using the 757 between Detroit and Keflavik—American Airlines is moving forward with plans for single-aisle long-haul service. United Airlines also intends to expand its use of narrowbody aircraft across new European routes.
American Airlines expects to have 50 Airbus A321XLRs in its fleet, with two already delivered. The company plans to base these aircraft at New York’s JFK Airport, aiming them at lower-demand routes from the East Coast to secondary European cities. To address potential concerns about passenger comfort on longer flights aboard smaller jets, American will equip these planes with premium-heavy cabins.
To prepare pilots for this transition from widebody-dominated international flying, American has launched an extensive training program using existing Airbus A321neo aircraft. In September, more than 20 empty round trips were flown between Philadelphia International Airport and Edinburgh so pilots could gain experience operating narrowbodies over longer distances.
According to American Airlines, this initiative was designed “to highlight the unique aspects of transatlantic flying to its narrowbody pilots who might otherwise be unfamiliar with the conventions of such routes.” These aspects include navigating North Atlantic Tracks, managing non-radar air traffic control operations, handling satellite communications with ATC, and understanding options for diversion airports along these routes.
