American Airlines has a new plan for its planes. The airline will put a screen on the back of every seat. This is big news for people who fly on short trips within the U.S.
What made American Airlines change its plan about seatback screens?
On 18 August 2026, American Airlines said it will add a screen to every seat on its narrowbody planes. A narrowbody plane has only one aisle. Airlines use these planes, like the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 family, for short and medium flights inside a country or region.
This is a big change. A few years ago, American took the screens out of many planes. The airline wanted passengers to watch movies and shows on their own phones or tablets instead, using an app that streamed content to the seat over Wi-Fi. Many passengers did not like this plan. They said the old screens were simple to use, and not everyone has a good phone or a strong signal on the plane.
Now American is changing its mind. The new screens will be some of the biggest on any narrowbody plane. Each screen will use 4K picture quality, which is very clear and sharp. Passengers can also charge their phone with a USB-C cable at their seat. And they can connect their own headphones with Bluetooth, so there are no wires.
The airline will start putting the new screens on all new Boeing and Airbus planes from 2028. It will also fit the screens into older planes already in the fleet. This work will take some years, because American has hundreds of narrowbody planes. American says the whole narrowbody fleet will have screens by the early 2030s.
American is also making more room for premium seats. Right now, about 25% of seats on a narrowbody plane are first class or extra-legroom seats. The airline wants to grow this number to 40%, so more passengers can choose extra comfort on a short flight.
Two other big US airlines, United and Delta, kept their seatback screens on many planes. So this change also helps American compete with them for passengers. Many travellers will be happy to have a screen in front of them again on their next flight.
Check your understanding
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What is American Airlines planning to add to every seat on its narrowbody planes?
American announced on 18 August 2026 that it will add a screen to every seat, reversing its earlier removal of them.
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True or false: American Airlines is the first big US airline to offer seatback screens.
United and Delta already offer seatback screens on many planes, so American is following them, not leading.
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Based on the article, why is American Airlines bringing back seatback screens?
The article says the change helps American compete with United and Delta, which kept their seatback screens. That is the reason given in the text.
- narrowbody (adjective) – a plane with only one aisle, used for shorter flights. Typical use: “add screens to every seat on its narrowbody planes”.
- seatback screen (noun phrase) – a small TV screen built into the back of the seat in front of you. Typical use: “put a screen on the back of every seat”.
- retrofit (verb) – to add new equipment to a machine or vehicle that is already in use. Typical use: “fit the screens into older planes already in the fleet”.
- premium seating (noun phrase) – the more expensive, more comfortable seats on a plane, such as first class. Typical use: “grow this number to 40%” of premium seating.
CEFR Level A2 / ICAO Level 3
If you enjoyed this story about cabin upgrades, read how United Airlines changed its Economy Plus seats too.
