American Airways has solely had its arms on its first “game-changing” Airbus A321XLR aircraft for slightly greater than per week. Already, although, the service is planning to ship the plane throughout the Atlantic.
American on Thursday introduced Edinburgh would be the first abroad vacation spot for its brand-new, long-range, single-aisle jet.
It will open up a brand new European route for the service from John F. Kennedy Worldwide Airport (JFK) to Edinburgh Airport (EDI) — making New York the second U.S. metropolis it is linked to the Scottish capital in as a few years.
American Airways Airbus A321XLR
American’s new XLR options 20 of its newest-generation Flagship Suite seats within the business-class cabin, that are outfitted with sliding privateness doorways. Organized in a 1-1 configuration, these suites are much like the product the Fort Price-based service debuted this summer time on its far bigger Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
The XLRs additionally sport 12 premium financial system recliners organized in a 2-2 configuration, complementing 123 seats in the principle cabin.
American has been anxious to get its arms on these new planes since ordering 50 of the jets previous to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Far smaller and cheaper to function than the standard long-haul jet, American (and opponents) see these narrow-body plane as a method to open up routes to smaller European cities and elsewhere.
“That is the proper plane to function this route and with an elevated premium expertise for vacationers to take pleasure in,” Brian Znotins, American’s prime community planner, stated in an announcement asserting the brand new JFK-EDI route.
Learn extra: Citi and American Airways launch new AAdvantage Globe Mastercard: Mid-tier perks and a 90,000-mile bonus
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American’s new Scotland route: What to know
American’s new flights between JFK and Scotland will launch March 8, 2026. It will be a seasonal route, so the nonstop service will run by way of Oct. 24, 2026.
These New York-to-Edinburgh flights will come almost a yr after the service launched Scotland service from its Philadelphia Worldwide Airport (PHL) hub in Might.
Associated: How I used Hilton factors to remain at an actual Scottish fort
As a part of Thursday’s announcement, American additionally revealed these seasonal flights from Philly will kick off earlier in 2026 — and can begin March 28, operated with its Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
Scotland surge
Scotland has been an more and more common vacation spot for vacationers and airways alike.
In 2025, carriers had been on monitor to fly with 34% extra seats between the U.S. and EDI in contrast with 2024, in keeping with knowledge from aviation analytics agency Cirium. That included American’s new Philly flights, and the nonstop service JetBlue launched from its Boston hub.
Extra home, worldwide XLR routes coming
Edinburgh, although, is much from the one vacation spot that American will serve with its new XLR.
Actually, it isn’t even the primary.
As different planes are available, American has stated it would use the XLRs to part out the premium-heavy A321T configuration on its older A321 jets — a setup that presently contains its legacy business-class product and Flagship First.
Nevertheless, the airline additionally has lengthy its eyes on further locations throughout the Atlantic.
“We’re taking a look at new secondary [cities in] Spain, Portugal, U.Ok., something inside vary — France, Germany, Scandinavia,” Znotins, the highest community planner, stated in an interview final fall with TPG — whereas noting that, because of the service’s Oneworld partnership with Iberia, “Spain can be a pure place.”
One other vacation spot he predicted a yr in the past?
Edinburgh, which in March will grow to be American’s seventh new or returning European route for 2026.
Tickets (together with AAdvantage redemptions) will go on sale Nov. 3.
Learn extra: Find out how to redeem AAdvantage miles for max worth
Find out how to e book American Airways flights with factors and miles
Vacationers hoping to e book American flights with factors and miles can, in fact, redeem instantly from their AAdvantage account.
Haven’t got sufficient miles? Citi’s ThankYou Rewards program now provides direct, 1:1 transfers to American for a few of its prime playing cards.
Plus, you may e book companion awards on American by way of different Oneworld alliance carriers. That features Atmos Rewards, the brand new joint loyalty program of Alaska Airways and Hawaiian Airways.
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