American Airlines launches US service with the long-range Airbus A321XLR.

American Airlines (AA) officially inaugurated service with the Airbus A321XLR on Thursday, marking the first deployment of the longest-range narrow-body aircraft by a U.S. carrier. The inaugural commercial flight departed John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York, bound for Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). This milestone deployment utilizes the A321XLR's enhanced capabilities on a premium transcontinental route before the aircraft is expected to be deployed on true long-haul missions, potentially opening up new transatlantic city pairs that were previously uneconomical for wide-body operations.

The A321XLR is central to American’s fleet strategy, offering significant operational flexibility and improved fuel efficiency compared to older wide-body types. The aircraft features a modern cabin layout, including an updated economy section designed to maximize passenger comfort during extended flight times. Industry analysts anticipate that the A321XLR will allow American to optimize capacity on existing high-demand routes while simultaneously enabling the airline to challenge competitors on thinner international segments, leveraging its extended range of up to 4,700 nautical miles.