Overview
- First class on Airbus A319s increases from 8 to 12 seats under a reconfiguration now moving from prototype to active retrofits across an initial 32 aircraft.
- American is reported to have its first retrofitted A319 entering service soon, with the broader rollout proceeding in phases and A320 upgrades planned to follow.
- Overall capacity rises without cutting coach rows through reduced seat pitch and a redesigned rear galley that relocates two lavatories and adds a jumpseat on a lavatory door.
- Legacy American A319s lose seatback entertainment as cabins are refreshed, while power at every seat and larger overhead bins are added.
- During the transition, the airline is overprovisioning first-class meals on flights scheduled with 8-seat cabins to cover aircraft swaps that present 12-seat layouts.