Take a look at American’s new Airbus A321XLR, a long-range jet with premium seats that will soon fly to the US and beyond.

• American Airlines’ first Airbus A321XLR landed in Texas on Wednesday.

• The inaugural flight is scheduled for December 18, from New York to Los Angeles.

• The premium heavy aircraft has a lie-flat business class and will eventually fly to international cities.

There’s a new plane in town.

American Airlines’ first Airbus A321XLR landed in Dallas-Fort Worth on Wednesday after an 11-hour flight from Hamburg, Germany, making it the first of its kind in the U.S. and ushering in a new era of long-haul narrow-body flights.

The A321XLR (short for “extra long range”) will make its debut on December 18 at 11am. morning flights from New York to Los Angeles on American and will eventually replace the carrier’s transcon-specific A321T fleet.

The A321XLR (and A321T) is superior to other American narrowbodies, with seatback TVs in coach and full meals in business class.

As of Friday morning, one-way fares start at $379 for basic economy. Premium Economy Class and lie-flat Business Class are already sold out at launch; next-day one-way tickets cost about $1,050 and $1,850, respectively.

Although its first flights will be domestic, the A321XLR is designed for much longer missions. The additional fuel tank increases its range to around 5,400 miles – around 800 miles more than its predecessor, the A321neoLR (Long Range).

This allows airlines to link lower-demand routes, particularly to Europe, that cannot support larger widebodies or are out of reach for existing narrowbodies such as the A320neo or Boeing 737 Max.

American states that the plane will be launched on international routes in the first half of 2026. half a year, but has not yet announced which ones.

It is also expected that United Airlines from 2026 will receive the A321XLR. It plans to use the jet to replace aging Boeing 757s and open new thin transatlantic routes, including possible services from the US to northern Italy and West Africa.

Several global carriers have received the latest Airbus aircraft. The range of cabin layouts, from lie-flat business seats on American jets to the economy seats of Hungarian low-cost carrier Wizz Air, shows the A321XLR’s adaptability to various airline strategies.

American’s decision to offer lie-flat seats reflects the airline’s drive to meet growing demand for premium travel, particularly among higher-spending leisure fliers.

“Premium seats are expected to grow twice as fast as non-premium offerings, and international seats are expected to grow 50 percent by the end of the decade,” American CEO Rob Isom said on Thursday during its third-quarter earnings call.

The American A321XLR is particularly heavy.

Twenty suites were installed in the A321XLR 1×1 configuration, occupying about 13% of the total 155 seats on the plane.

If we factor in the 12 premium economy seats, the total more expensive seating increases to around 20%.

Revenue from premiums boosts airline profits, especially across the Atlantic, as people continue to pay more for a better flying experience.

The new business class elevates the premium American product.

The Flagship Suite business class debuted on the newly introduced Boeing 787 in June, as American follows a global trend to roll out suites with doors.

Its cocoon-like setup is similar to the enclosed Mint Suites on JetBlue Airways’ A321neoLR. American’s legacy business class, which still flies on many wide-body planes, has no doors.

Customers get more than the door.

The recumbent cabin also includes features such as a wireless charging pad, a TV, plenty of storage space and multi-course meals.

“Whether customers are traveling coast-to-coast or across the ocean, American’s newest aircraft demonstrate our commitment to providing the highest quality travel experience,” Heather Garboden, American’s chief customer officer, said in a press release.

Deluxe class passengers receive special airport privileges.

American said its highest-paying customers get priority check-in, security, boarding and baggage handling.

They also have access to airport lounges such as the Greenwich Lounge at New York-JFK and the Flagship Lounge at Los Angeles.

Premium economy has footrests and privacy wings.

The premium economy variant has two seats per row instead of a 1×1 configuration in business and a 3×3 configuration in economy, so every passenger will be guaranteed a window or aisle seat.

Instead of a bed, the huge daybed has a deep backrest, leg and leg support, and wide headrest wings for privacy.

Customers are also provided with an upgraded hot meal, a blanket and pillow and an amenity kit.

The premium cabin is a popular mid-range option.

The premium economy section is like the Goldilocks zone of airplane cabins.

More comfortable than coach, but no bed. It’s usually hundreds or thousands of dollars cheaper than a business.

Economy will retain special long-haul privileges.

The 3×3 cabin at the rear of the aircraft has 123 economy seats. These include headrests, “multiple power options” and seatback entertainment screens – the latter already on the A321T route.

Adding a TV to the A321XLR makes sense for continuity and because the jet should also operate on international routes.

Seatback screens are not available on most other American domestic flights.

Domestically, American seat-back TVs are mostly limited to special intercontinental narrow-body flights.

Instead, passengers can use the built-in tablet holder to prop up their device and access American streaming content. American wide body models are already equipped with personal screens.

Unlike American, most Delta Air Lines and United domestic flights offer in-seat entertainment.

Read the original article on Business Insider.