American Airlines to Spend $2 Billion on Upgrades

American Airlines is planning $2 billion worth of upgrades to its planes and hub airports, the company said Monday.

The upgrades to hubs will include updated Admirals Clubs for frequent flyers, new kiosks to speed check-in and worktables with power outlets to charge devices in waiting areas.

In the air, American plans to add more new planes as it refreshes its fleet and upgrade seats, entertainment and power-outlet options on its large jets.

Among the upgrades American announced:

– Remodeled Admirals Clubs, with “refurbished restroom and shower facilities, toiletry amenities, and improved technology.” There will also be more food options, including Greek yogurt and oatmeal, “hearty soup offerings in every club, crudités and desserts.”

– New, faster kiosks at check-in counters, as well as worktables with 12 power outlets and seating for eight people positioned near gates, so flyers can work and charge devices before flights.

– Updates to the interiors of many planes, including seatback entertainment systems, a walk-up bar and new business-class seats on the Boeing 777-200; power ports and lie-flat business seats on trans-Atlantic Boeing 757s; all new seats, more power ports and 24 more spacious “main cabin extra” seats on the Airbus A319; and in-flight satellite connectivity and business-class lie-flat seats on the Boeing 767-300.

– The airline’s new Boeing 737s, 777-300s, 787s, Airbus A321s and retrofitted A319s will have power ports in every row to plug in devices.

This article appeared in print in the December 9th, 2014 edition of Hamodia.