American Airlines to overhaul fleet with WiFi, new seats

First class passengers on long haul flights will even get a comfy bed. Photo / American Airlines

It is already one of the world's leading commercial carriers.

But, because the competition never lets up, American Airlines has announced a large-scale overhaul for its fleet - which, it claims, will see passengers enjoy greater comfort, technology and space thanks to a multi-billion dollar investment.

The Texas-based airline has revealed plans for an epic upgrade, which bosses have branded the "largest modernisation project in aviation history".

The airline's president, Robert Isom, told Business Traveller that 550 of the company's narrow-body fleet will be reconfigured to include "new seats, new interiors, satellite Wi-Fi, new in-seat power and much larger bins".

"It's going to have thinner and more comfortable seats, satellite Wi-Fi and a world-class library of stored content, videos and shows," he said.

"The fleet is going to continue to get better and better."

Meanwhile, it will also begin providing passengers with in-flight text messaging - compatible with Apple's iMessaging function, which will be free of charge to people in both economy and premium-economy upwards.

In addition, from December, long-haul customers in first, business class or premium economy receive a host of sleep-inducing products.

These will include a duvet, pillow, pajamas and slippers, plus a mattress pad and day blanket designed by sleep company Casper.

Engineers from the company studied the travel environment for months to better understand the challenges of in-flight snoozing, which inspired the range.

Now, they hope it will improve in-air comfort and focus on customer experience after spending money and time on its high-profile merger with US Airways.

"Our mission has always been to create products that help people dream their way to a better life,' said Philip Krim, Casper co-founder and CEO.

'In collaboration with American, we are now able to apply our expertise in sleep science to redefine comfort and sleep in flight."