American Airlines is moving to a single, personal-device model for inflight entertainment (IFE) across its domestic narrowbody fleet, confirming that the last seatback entertainment screens will come off legacy Airbus A319 aircraft in 2025. The retrofit, which began with prototype work in July and is continuing through the fall and winter maintenance cycle, marks the end of built-in TVs on the carrier’s standard domestic planes.
The airline says the shift will cut costs, reduce aircraft weight, and support a broader strategy that prioritizes stronger digital connectivity and premium-cabin upgrades while keeping coach seat counts intact. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the plan is part of an ongoing cost-management program that American has sustained over several years as passenger device use has become near-universal.
Scope of the removal and fleet alignment
The removal is concentrated on Airbus A319s that still carry legacy screens. As of August 2025, American is actively retrofitting these jets, bringing its narrowbody product in line with the template used on former US Airways A319s that never had seatback entertainment.
While some travelers see the change as a loss of comfort, airline leaders frame it as a practical shift. Maintenance and upgrade costs for embedded IFE systems are high, and each screen adds weight that drives fuel burn and emissions. CEO Robert Isom has tied the broader refresh to long-term resilience in a choppy economy, reiterating this approach in August 2025.
New IFE model and content access
American’s current IFE policy centers on a streaming portal that runs on passengers’ phones, tablets, and laptops. The catalog—movies, TV series, AppleTV+ selections, and music—updates monthly.
- Nearly the entire fleet offers Wi‑Fi today.
- Beginning January 2026, free Wi‑Fi is planned for AAdvantage members on about 90% of aircraft at launch.
- Premium cabins are being upgraded with gate-to-gate entertainment, no headset collection before landing on qualifying services, and other long‑haul comforts.
Cabin reconfiguration and seating changes
The narrowbody cabin changes go beyond IFE hardware. American is adding more first class seats—one extra row on A319s and a fourth row on A320s—while keeping economy seat counts steady. Lavatories and galley spaces are being reworked to create room for the extra premium seating, mirroring the interior layout already standard on similar aircraft without built-in TVs.
The airline stresses these changes should streamline upkeep and daily operations while still delivering a consistent onboard experience.
Passenger impact — Main Cabin and Premium
Main Cabin passengers on retrofitted jets will need to bring a compatible personal device to watch shows or movies. That’s the core of the new model: no seatback entertainment in standard domestic narrowbodies, with content delivered through the streaming portal.
Supporters and critics:
– Supporters: Travelers who prefer their own devices for control and familiarity welcome the change.
– Critics: Families with multiple screens, passengers who prefer embedded displays, and those without suitable devices or who avoid device use for long periods may be disadvantaged.
Supporters argue savings from removing hardware-heavy seatback systems can be directed to:
– Faster Wi‑Fi
– Better food and drinks
– Consistent gate‑to‑gate access to content in premium seats
Critics warn the change could weaken the inflight experience on some routes, especially as Delta and United continue to invest in seatback systems on new aircraft. Some industry watchers caution that removing screens may narrow American’s appeal to travelers who equate built-in displays with a more complete service.
Operational and efficiency rationale
From an operational angle, removing seatback screens means:
– Fewer parts to service
– Less cabin downtime
– Lighter aircraft (fuel savings and reduced emissions)
– Fewer in-seat malfunctions
American frames these operational benefits as part of a long-run strategy to keep costs in check while focusing on product areas where customers perceive value.
Historical context
American began phasing out seatback entertainment from narrowbodies in the late 2010s; the pace increased after the US Airways merger. By 2025, only a small group of legacy A319s still carried built-in IFE. The retrofit brings those remaining A319s into the same configuration as legacy US Airways A319s.
Accessibility and customer feedback
Passenger advocates have raised accessibility concerns for those without devices or with limited tech comfort, arguing that removing seatback entertainment can reduce inclusivity onboard. American acknowledges customer feedback will shape fine-tuning in the months ahead and is monitoring responses to the device-only approach and premium upgrades.
Important: American is betting that once free Wi‑Fi arrives for AAdvantage members in January 2026, concerns about device-only IFE will ease for many flyers.
Practical tips for passengers
- Bring a charged phone, tablet, or laptop; carry a power bank if possible.
- Download the airline’s app and any streaming apps you prefer before boarding.
- Pack wired or Bluetooth headphones compatible with your device.
- If you fly premium cabins, expect gate‑to‑gate entertainment without headset collection on eligible services.
For families and groups, plan ahead: share screens, rotate devices, or download content offline to save battery. Some travelers will welcome the control and flexibility of their own gear; others will miss the simplicity of a built-in screen.
Competitive context and industry reaction
- Supporters’ view: Near-universal device use means savings can fund services customers notice most.
- Critics’ view: Removing seatback screens may diminish the inflight experience for families and less tech‑savvy passengers.
- Competitive risk: Analysts warn the change could weaken American’s position on routes where rivals emphasize onboard hardware.
American’s response is to double down on Wi‑Fi expansion and premium comfort while watching customer feedback as the A319 retrofit moves ahead.
Where to get official information
Travelers looking for official details on flights, IFE access, and onboard services can find current guidance on American’s website at aa.com. For broader government information related to airline consumer issues, the U.S. Department of Transportation maintains guidance at the Aviation Consumer Protection portal: transportation.gov/airconsumer.
Long-haul and widebody note
American has signaled that its long‑haul international widebody aircraft will continue to keep seatback systems; there’s no announced plan to remove those. The 2025 focus is on domestic and short‑haul operations and the final Airbus A319 retrofits.
Success factors and outlook
The success of the plan depends on:
– Reliability of the streaming portal
– Breadth and freshness of the catalog
– Rollout of free Wi‑Fi for AAdvantage members in January 2026
American’s leaders tie the pivot to cost control and durability in a volatile market, aiming to reduce operating expenses while improving cabins that drive revenue.
2025 Retrofit Timeline and Cabin Changes
- July 2025: Prototype retrofit work begins on the Airbus A319.
- August 2025 onward: Active removal of the last seatback TVs on legacy A319s, aligned with heavy maintenance.
- No reduction in coach seats: Added first class rows on A319s and a fourth row on A320s; lavatories and galleys reworked to create space.
- Template: Legacy US Airways A319 interiors—no seatback screens—guide the new layout.
What This Means for Travelers
- Main Cabin: No seatback entertainment on retrofitted narrowbodies; bring your own device to stream from the IFE portal.
- Premium Cabins: Gate‑to‑gate entertainment, no headset collection before landing on qualifying services, and growing comfort upgrades.
- Connectivity: Nearly fleetwide Wi‑Fi today, with free Wi‑Fi for AAdvantage members planned for January 2026 at roughly 90% fleet coverage at launch.
- Accessibility: Advocates warn device‑only IFE can disadvantage travelers without compatible devices or those who prefer not to use their own screens.
Contact and further inquiries
American Airlines maintains public contact channels for customers and media seeking details or clarification:
– Main portal: aa.com
– Customer service (U.S. & Canada): 1‑800‑433‑7300
– Media inquiries: [email protected]
The narrowbody IFE shift is one part of a larger strategy: contain costs, lighten aircraft, simplify operations, lean on personal devices for entertainment, and build out premium cabins and digital connectivity. The coming months of Airbus A319 retrofits will test how well that strategy aligns with what travelers want in the cabin today.
This Article in a Nutshell
American Airlines is removing the last seatback entertainment screens from legacy Airbus A319s in 2025, replacing embedded IFE with a streaming portal for passengers’ phones, tablets, and laptops. The retrofit began with prototype work in July 2025 and continues through heavy maintenance cycles. The airline cites cost savings, reduced weight and emissions, and simplified maintenance as reasons, and will align narrowbody interiors with former US Airways A319s. Cabin reconfiguration adds first-class rows on A319s and an extra front row on A320s while preserving economy counts. Nearly the fleet already has Wi‑Fi; free Wi‑Fi for AAdvantage members is planned from January 2026 on about 90% of aircraft. Supporters expect savings to fund faster Wi‑Fi and premium upgrades; critics warn families and passengers without devices may be disadvantaged. American will monitor customer feedback and maintain seatback systems on long‑haul widebodies for now.
