Yesterday, American Airlines’ very first Airbus A321XLR landed in the United States, after being delivered from Hamburg. Today, the airline has put its first A321XLR flight on sale…
In this post:
American A321XLR will operate the JFK-LAX route
Based on the current schedule filing and as flagged (and predicted) by JonNYC, American plans to begin flying the Airbus A321XLR between New York (JFK) and Los Angeles (LAX) as of December 18, 2025.
When booking, you’ll now see this aircraft scheduled on certain frequencies, with the A321XLR being designated as the “32Q.”
Currently, I see the A321XLR scheduled in the market through February 11, 2026, though I imagine the plane will be loaded into the schedule well beyond that. There are currently anywhere from one to two daily flights planned on the A321XLR, though the exact flight numbers with the plane vary.
By around March 2026, we can expect American to start flying the A321XLR across the Atlantic as well, given that the airline is opening up a pilot base for this exact purpose.
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 very similar to JetBlue’s Airbus A321LR Mint cabin (of course with different finishes).
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 the market between New York and Los Angeles, American will be 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 will be 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 will also be improved compared to what it currently is.
Bottom line
American Airlines’ Airbus A321XLR is expected to enter service as of December 2025, initially flying between New York and Los Angeles. For the first several weeks, that’s the only route the aircraft type will fly, with up to two daily frequencies.
Then as of the spring of 2026, we can probably expect the plane to make its international debut, flying across the Atlantic.
What do you make of American putting its A321XLR on sale?
Really hope AA decides to go toe to toe with Delta on the DCA-LAX route with these.
What about for sf/ny - when does that get introduced
I didn’t want to hijack Bob’s comment, but can this new 32Q configuration actually take off at SNA fully loaded? I’m probably wrong, but AA has one of the only A321 flight to SNA right? It’s always 737s galore (although they can fly SNA-HNL).
@Ben: Does AA intend to fly this on SNA to JFK and LAX to BOS? Those are other Flagship transcon routes.
So basically we still have the 321T but more expensive.
First get downgraded to Business. Fewer amenities at the eventually same price.
Business becomes Premium. Huge downgrade. Not lieflat anymore at the eventually same price.
Dejavu basic fares.
Buddy, the Flagship Suite is far superior to 2-2 lie-flat in current 'Business' on the 321T. And, let's get real, even Flagship First 1-1 on the 321T was getting so bad that like 2/10 seats would be broken. This is welcome news. Cheer up.
And we have @1990 as living proof once again that people actually fall for the airline positive spin of devaluation.
Esk old buddy, try not to sound as if you are blaming Airbus for the sins of AA.
Is this LIVE on AA.com or the app? Haven't found anything.
@ Lee -- It sure is! Just look at December 18 or later between JFK and LAX, and you'll see at least one daily flight flown by the A321XLR.
Gotcha. I was looking at the specific departure time illustrated in the article. I see it at a different time. Thanks.
Does premium economy have its own galley or will they share?
@ betterbub -- No galley, so they'll have to use either the business class or economy ovens.
I don't think they have own galley for Premium Economy. on some widebody aircraft premium economy has to use the same galley as economy. And AA don't usually have dedicated flight attendant for premium economy either, usually they will have the economy FA serve both cabin
Wired: 1-1 business class and the service on AA which has become more friendly (yes, a pleasant surprise).
Tired: the clientele in AA transcon business. I flew on JFK/SFO next to a guy accused of tax fraud on the order of US$10 million. I flew SNA/LAX across the aisle from a rude woman who insisted her window seatmate lower the window shade. That's a faux pas as we all know the window seat passenger controls...
Wired: 1-1 business class and the service on AA which has become more friendly (yes, a pleasant surprise).
Tired: the clientele in AA transcon business. I flew on JFK/SFO next to a guy accused of tax fraud on the order of US$10 million. I flew SNA/LAX across the aisle from a rude woman who insisted her window seatmate lower the window shade. That's a faux pas as we all know the window seat passenger controls the window shade. The rude woman was ugly and overweight, too. Come to think of it, so was the JFK/LAX guy, but I just couldn't stop thinking about his tax fraud. (I googled his name after I glanced over at his laptop.)
Sorry I did not fly SNA/LAX. I flew SNA/JFK.
Dear diary
The PE section looks quite nice. Now that AA will see PE as a separate class on transcons. If that plane ever makes it to MIA/LAX (doubtful) I wonder if PE would be sold separately. Currently it's still sold as MCE when widebodies are run on that route.
I'd be tempted to try this out coming home from my trip to NYC in Jan (just to try it out), but of course it's not bookable in J with miles (and the cash price is a definite nope).
Really pleased to see this starting. The a321T is way past its prime. Have had multiple experiences with broken seats in Flagship First on the JFK-SFO/LAX routes. For once, thank you, American. Well done. Can't wait to try this. (And hope they eventually put this on MIA-LAX/SFO for you, Ben!)