In late October 2025, American Airlines’ very first Airbus A321XLR landed in the United States, after being delivered from Hamburg. This week, the airline operated its first A321XLR flight with passengers. To coincide with that, the airline has also revealed more details about which routes will next be operated by this special plane.
In this post:
American A321XLR routes & flights for coming months
American Airlines has begun commercial Airbus A321XLR operations as of December 18, 2025. Initially, the plane is flying between New York (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX). The exact flights operated by the plane vary, but the A321XLR operates the 2,475-mile route up to twice daily.
As of now, the plane is scheduled on the route through April 6, 2026, though I imagine that has the potential to be extended. When booking, you’ll see this aircraft scheduled on certain frequencies, with the A321XLR being designated as the “32Q.”
American has also announced the international debut for this plane. Between March 8 and October 24, 2026, American plans to operate daily seasonal flights between New York and Edinburgh (EDI). This 3,255-mile flight will complement American’s seasonal Edinburgh service out of Philadelphia (PHL), which is operated by the Boeing 787.
This route shouldn’t come as much of a surprise. We knew that American wanted to use the A321XLR to add more transatlantic routes out of New York, and Edinburgh was one of the airports that was named as a possibility. American has been working on training pilots for A321XLR transatlantic operations, as that requires a special certification.
American has also now revealed two additional domestic routes that will be served by the A321XLR (and you can expect the schedule to be updated over the weekend, to reflect these additions):
- The plane will fly between New York (JFK) and San Francisco (SFO) as of May 7, 2026
- The plane will fly between Boston (BOS) and Los Angeles (LAX) as of July 2, 2026
What the American A321XLR means for customers
American’s Airbus A321XLRs are in a three cabin configuration, with a total of 155 seats. This includes 20 business class seats, 12 premium economy seats, and 123 economy seats.
At the front of the plane, you’ll find 20 business class seats in a 1-1 configuration. The A321XLRs have different seats than American’s wide body aircraft, since the requirements for seats are different for narrow bodies. Expect this to be similar to JetBlue’s Airbus A321LR Mint cabin, though with different finishes, and on top of that, the seats are a bit tighter.
Premium economy also looks pretty elegant, as it’s in a 2-2 configuration, similar to domestic first class. The seats are along the same lines of Delta’s Airbus A321neo first class seats.
In premium transcontinental markets, American is replacing the A321Ts with the A321XLRs (as American is reconfiguring A321Ts into a standard domestic configuration). As a reminder, the A321Ts have 102 seats, including 10 first class seats, 20 business class seats, and 72 economy seats.
In other words, with the transition from the A321T to the A321XLR, American is losing 10 first class seats, retaining 20 business class seats, adding 12 premium economy seats, and adding 51 economy seats.
So essentially losing 10 first class seats to gain 12 premium economy seats and 51 economy seats is a decent tradeoff (especially since first class was often full of upgrades and employees). And perhaps more important is that the business class product is also being improved compared to what you’ll find on the A321T.
Meanwhile for transatlantic operations, the A321XLR represents a new lowest capacity long haul aircraft for the airline, which should make some new markets possible (like New York to Edinburgh!).
Bottom line
American Airlines’ Airbus A321XLR has now entered service, initially flying between New York and Los Angeles, with up to two daily frequencies. Then as of March 2026, the plane will make its international debut, flying between New York and Edinburgh. In May 2026 we’ll see the plane fly between New York and San Francisco, and in July 2026, we’ll see the plane fly between Boston and Los Angeles.
There’s nothing too surprising here, though it’s cool to see plans for both transcon and transatlantic flights.
What do you make of American’s first A321XLR routes?
Interesting, I see the 32Q on the LAX - HNL route (AA297 for Jan 30 2026, less than 2 months out), so it seems they're already expanding the routes beyond what Ben wrote about.
Ok for Transcon maybe. Not ok for international Pacific or Atlantic. I will book away from this product. I have a higher expectation. AAEXP here.
This new plane looks like a great step up for American. I only hope that they will be adding more XLR's for the LAX-JFK route quickly so I can experience this new aircraft as soon as possible.
With this AA front-of-cabin setup more on a par with B6, will be interesting to see how each competes on price?
Hi Ben, Does the aircraft have 155 or 167 seats - from your above summary, it says, 20 Business, 12, Premium Economy, 12 extra space coach, and 123 coach - which would total to 167
I wonder how this will change lounge access at JFK since it's not first like their current product.
Easy. For Flagship routes, it'll limit access to Greenwich (all J, standard Flagship) and Soho (OWE), no Chelsea (bc no F).
its going from 30 lie flat seats to 20. probably will be a lot harder to get mileage seats, so not happy.
And, at the same time, since I pay for F/J, Im happy you're not there. Want first class, buy it.
So they replace a 3-class with a 3-class. Why not call these new cabins First, Business and Main on the transcons? That way, people could feel a lot more important, traveling in "First" instead of only "Business"?
guessing because a lot of corporate expense policies will cover J but not F
Will gets it. And those policies usually only allow for it on flights longer than a certain duration (like 5 hours, so US transcons may or may not be included, depending on where-to-where.)
Daniel from Finland, it's semantics at this point. Over in Europe, they call 'Business' a 3-3 with blocked middle on regional European flights, narrowbody. I wish European airlines like Finnair had actual recliners up front on their narrowbody aircraft (like a321, etc.),...
Will gets it. And those policies usually only allow for it on flights longer than a certain duration (like 5 hours, so US transcons may or may not be included, depending on where-to-where.)
Daniel from Finland, it's semantics at this point. Over in Europe, they call 'Business' a 3-3 with blocked middle on regional European flights, narrowbody. I wish European airlines like Finnair had actual recliners up front on their narrowbody aircraft (like a321, etc.), but you'll only find recliners and lie-flat on Finnair's widebodies (a330, a350, etc.)
Will gets it. And those policies usually only allow for it on flights longer than a certain duration (like 5 hours, so US transcons may or may not be included, depending on where-to-where.)
Daniel from Finland, it's semantics at this point. Over in Europe, they call 'Business' a 3-3 with blocked middle on regional European flights, narrowbody. I wish European airlines like Finnair had actual recliners up front on their narrowbody aircraft (like a321, etc.),...
Will gets it. And those policies usually only allow for it on flights longer than a certain duration (like 5 hours, so US transcons may or may not be included, depending on where-to-where.)
Daniel from Finland, it's semantics at this point. Over in Europe, they call 'Business' a 3-3 with blocked middle on regional European flights, narrowbody. I wish European airlines like Finnair had actual recliners up front on their narrowbody aircraft (like a321, etc.), but you'll only find recliners and lie-flat on Finnair's widebodies (a330, a350, etc.)
You’re right. Everybody’s special.
do you think they will throw it on the sna-jfk route in the future?? @ben
AA has already said they will. No date yet.
How to turn a silk purse into a pigs ear …. sell superior Airbus aircraft to a U.S. low cost airline.
hey troll
If anyone has flown jetBlue's newer Mint on trans-Atlantic routes or JFK-LAX, you'd know that this is a beautiful seat for business class. I'm really excited by this, and hope more and more airlines adopt lie-flat for narrow-bodies like AA, B6, TAP, SQ (737), etc. For 5+ hour redeyes, it's nice to have a bed. Sure, DL and UA have their 757s with 2-2 lie-flat on some routes, but this 1-1 is even better.
Finally American is doing something right.
Presumably the cost of the 321xlr and the 321neo are nearly even, so American figured it was better to have more long haul capacity for interchangeable purposes than have a sub fleet of 321neo?
I tend to agree. These are beautiful new aircraft, and especially nice upgrades for J. There'll inevitably be whiners and naysayers, and they're welcome to take an Oasis recliner instead.
Naysayer here right on the button.
Nice aircraft …. true!
Wrong business class seat specified …. also true, yes?
'Guest' Aero, that kinda gives it away, doesn't it? Man, enough with the impersonations.
Is a 16.3 seat width in economy normal?
Also, how does the seat width vary between 16.3" and 18.5"??? Almost 2.5"?
Mikey B, the exit row/bulkhead seats have the tray tables in the armrests shrinking the width.
Mikey B, the exit row/bulkhead seats have the tray tables in the armrests shrinking the width.
I’m honestly really impressed that they kept 32 inches of pitch in Main Cabin.
I’m honestly really impressed that they kept 32 inches of pitch in Main Cabin.
Interesting - AeroLOPA said 31" - if it really is 32" that takes less of the sting out of the complete decimation of MCE seating I suppose. Would be good to get more clarity on that.
MCE! LOL.
You know I love extra legroom. But seriously if it really is 32” there’s much less to complain about.
Main Cabin on the 737-800 for instance is 30” and MCE is 33”. Meaningful difference there.
31” is… ok, but not great. But 32” - the current B6 regular economy seat - never really feels “tight”.
So if they’ve gone with 32” - that’s fantastic. Was not clear where Ben got the graphic he included...
You know I love extra legroom. But seriously if it really is 32” there’s much less to complain about.
Main Cabin on the 737-800 for instance is 30” and MCE is 33”. Meaningful difference there.
31” is… ok, but not great. But 32” - the current B6 regular economy seat - never really feels “tight”.
So if they’ve gone with 32” - that’s fantastic. Was not clear where Ben got the graphic he included in the article from - XLR does not appear to be on AA’s planes webpage yet? Didn’t see it in the fact sheet.
Interestingly, Google Flights is showing the new a321XLR as 'A321neo' unlike the 'A321 (Sharklets)' which is the A321T; and when searching for 'premium economy' the a321T won't appear, but the a321XLR will. Another 'tell' is when searching for 'business' XLR has the 'individual suite' distinction. However, yes, according to Google at least, showing 31" in economy, regardless (all of them), so... hmm.
You'd think if it was really 32" that AA would be all over marketing that. So it leads me to believe it's 31" (OMAAT's previous reporting on it said 31") but... uh... who knows.
I will say that Flight Formula (youtube channel) did an excellent video the other day about why Qantas ordered the XLR for its transcons (all those flights to Perth...) and visualized the increased cargo capability due to the new rear center...
You'd think if it was really 32" that AA would be all over marketing that. So it leads me to believe it's 31" (OMAAT's previous reporting on it said 31") but... uh... who knows.
I will say that Flight Formula (youtube channel) did an excellent video the other day about why Qantas ordered the XLR for its transcons (all those flights to Perth...) and visualized the increased cargo capability due to the new rear center tank for fuel very effectively. Well worth a watch.
I’ll seek that out! A321, generally has better cargo capabilities, especially neo/XLR with the pods they can use instead of individually loading bags like 737, etc.
QF operates a mix of narrow and wide bodies for their transcon, like SYD-PER, could be 737 or a330 or even 787, depending on schedule. I’d much prefer whatever has lie-flat. Wonder if they’ll do recliners or suites like AA/B6. Was their earlier this year, just SYD-ADL though. Still,...
I’ll seek that out! A321, generally has better cargo capabilities, especially neo/XLR with the pods they can use instead of individually loading bags like 737, etc.
QF operates a mix of narrow and wide bodies for their transcon, like SYD-PER, could be 737 or a330 or even 787, depending on schedule. I’d much prefer whatever has lie-flat. Wonder if they’ll do recliners or suites like AA/B6. Was their earlier this year, just SYD-ADL though. Still, super cool to see what they had going on. New a220s too, mostly to Tasmania. Would like to return for that!
The degree of pitch / leg room comfort is primarily dictated by how tall the passenger is. When you’re 78 inches tall, every inch counts.
AeroLOPA’s diagram also shows that MCE’s pitch is actually 36+”.
For passengers traveling first class from New York to Los Angeles, the new business class seats will be an improvement over the old first class seats. The premium economy seats look the same as the old business class seats, and economy class will gain passenger capacity.
Close, but no cigar - the new premium economy seats are essentially the same as American's standard domestic first class seats, but not as the business on American's current JFK-LAX flights, which are fully flat seats.
On the current T-Birds, Flagship First is lay-flat. But, business class is not. Ben will confirm this.
You're incorrect. The A321Ts have fully-flat seats (see Ben's description from Jan 2024):
These planes are unique, and among the most comfortable ways to fly within the United States. They feature just 102 seats, and include four seating options:
There are 10 first class fully flat reverse herringbone seats with direct aisle access, in a 1-1 configuration
There are 20 business class fully flat seats, in a 2-2 configuration
There are 72 economy seats, with...
You're incorrect. The A321Ts have fully-flat seats (see Ben's description from Jan 2024):
These planes are unique, and among the most comfortable ways to fly within the United States. They feature just 102 seats, and include four seating options:
There are 10 first class fully flat reverse herringbone seats with direct aisle access, in a 1-1 configuration
There are 20 business class fully flat seats, in a 2-2 configuration
There are 72 economy seats, with 36 of those seats being Main Cabin Extra, featuring extra legroom; all economy seats have personal televisions, unlike the rest of American’s domestic fleet
Source: https://onemileatatime.com/news/american-ending-a321t-premium-flights/
Business is also lie-flat on the 321T, but in a 2-2 configuration, so big difference with the new premium economy.
Forgive me, not aisle-accessible lay-flat.