American Airlines to bring back TV screens on US flights

American Airlines wants its flyers to have screens – and not just the ones its passengers bring on board with them.

The carrier says it will restore seatback displays across its domestic fleet, reversing a years-long strategy of removing them from most US routes.

The company is also adding more premium seats, saying the changes are aimed at improving the travel experience and boosting revenue. American Airlines says the upgrades form part of a wider cabin investment announced this week.

Its move follows years of complaints from passengers, who said that relying on personal devices left them with drained batteries, awkward viewing angles, and patchy Wi-Fi.

It also comes as US carriers try to steady demand in a cooling market.

American Airlines spent much of the past decade phasing out seatback screens from its Boeing 737s and Airbus A320-family jets, arguing that most travellers preferred to stream entertainment on their own devices.

The airline also said removing built-in displays reduced weight and maintenance costs at a time when carriers were focused on efficiency.

But the strategy left the carrier out of step with competitors like Delta and United, which have invested heavily in onboard entertainment to support a more premium cabin experience.