60% Boost: American Airlines Narrowbody Premium Seats To Jump From 25% to 40% Of Capacity

American Airlines is preparing one of its biggest narrowbody cabin changes in years, increasing the proportion of premium seats from approximately 25% today to around 40% in the coming years. The Fort Worth-based carrier announced the plan on August 18, 2026, alongside a major program to install seatback entertainment throughout its narrowbody fleet. The move will add more First Class and Main Cabin Extra (MCE) seats across existing and newly delivered aircraft, according to the American Airlines Newsroom announcement.