American Airlines bringing back seatback screens on short-haul jets

American Airlines will bring seatback screens back to its narrowbody jets starting in 2028 while expanding premium seating to attract higher-paying customers. The carrier said it will retrofit its fleet to increase the share of premium seats from 25% to 40%. The move is aimed at closing a profitability gap with competitors Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, which have benefited from premium demand in recent years. About a decade ago, American removed seatback entertainment under “Project Oasis” to cut costs, citing passengers’ use of phones and tablets and resulting in higher cabin density. From 2028, new Airbus and Boeing deliveries will include screens, and older aircraft will be retrofitted.