American Airlines service and membership updates

American Airlines is implementing major changes to its Admirals Club membership structure and in-flight services. Effective August 23, 2026, the airline is replacing its current membership model with two tiers: a guest-access tier priced between $1,200 and $1,400 (or 120,000 to 140,000 AAdvantage miles) and a single-member tier costing $750 (75,000 miles) that excludes guest privileges. The airline is also phasing out existing household memberships and eliminating discounts for AAdvantage elites.

Beyond lounge restructuring, the airline is updating its in-flight experience. This includes a transition to DO & CO for catering on London Heathrow routes to improve food quality. Additionally, American Airlines plans to reintroduce seatback entertainment screens on approximately 800 single-aisle jets, with a rollout scheduled from 2028 through the early 2030s. These screens will feature 4K displays, Bluetooth audio connectivity, and USB-C charging, reversing a previous policy that encouraged the use of personal devices.

To enhance connectivity, the airline also intends to install SpaceX’s Starlink service on more than 500 narrow-body aircraft starting in 2027. Furthermore, the carrier is reconfiguring its cabins to increase premium seating, aiming to raise the proportion of First Class and Main Cabin Extra from roughly 25% to 40% of narrowbody capacity in the coming years.