American Airlines retrofits Airbus A319s with more first class seats

American Airlines intends to add a row of first-class seating (four seats) without removing any coach seats. This will result in a tighter configuration with smaller lavatories and likely reduced seat space in both first class and coach sections.

Seven years ago, American Airlines introduced a new domestic product featuring less legroom, reduced seat padding, no seat-back entertainment screens, and smaller lavatories but larger overhead bins. Over time, this "Oasis" configuration was applied to existing planes, which involved removing seat-back screens from those that had them. Initially implemented without thorough planning or mockups, the project required subsequent adjustments under "Project Kodiak."

However, the Airbus A319s never received this treatment initially because they were already densely configured when ordered by American Airlines before the US Airways merger. Now these planes will see their padded seats replaced and their seat-back entertainment removed as part of the Oasis retrofit.

With legacy American Airlines A319s receiving the Oasis treatment and additional first-class seats, a few domestic fleets remain untouched since the merger. The premium cross-country Airbus A321T planes are set to be replaced by Airbus A321XLRs upon delivery; these older models will be converted to standard configurations with less legroom in coach and no seat-back entertainment.

Additionally, American’s aging Airbus A320 fleet still features an old US Airways configuration with outdated seating and no modern amenities like larger overhead bins or extra legroom options. Rather than retiring these aircraft, American plans to retrofit them with an extra row of first-class seating as well.

In contrast, competitors Delta and JetBlue offer seat-back entertainment screens while United is adding them. All three airlines plan to provide fast, free Wi-Fi services whereas American’s inflight internet remains among the most expensive in the industry.