American Airlines prepares pilots as it readies Airbus A321XLR for transatlantic service

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.