American Airlines launches A321neo service with larger bins
HAMBURG -- American Airlines this week started scheduled flights with the first of its 100 new A321neo aircraft on order.
These aircraft come equipped with an all-new cabin interior designed for enhanced passenger comfort and convenience, including larger Airspace XL overhead luggage bins that increase carry-on bag capacity.
The announcement was made at a press conference during the AIX show in Hamburg, where Janelle Anderson, Vice President - Global Marketing of American Airlines, said that the carrier was the first manufacturer to feature the XL bin.
The first flight was scheduled to take off on the first day of the Aircraft Interiors Expo, coincidentally on the day of the press conference.
The Airspace XL bins provide approximately 40% more overhead storage space for passengers onboard the 196-seat aircraft.
In addition to equipping its new A321neos with the XL bins, American also plans to retrofit its entire in-service fleet of earlier A321 models – more than 200 aircraft – with the cabin features included on the new A321neos.
Ingo Wuggetzer, Airbus’ Vice President of Cabin Marketing, said: “We are very pleased that American Airlines’ first A321neos with the Airspace XL bins are now entering service. We constantly work with airline customers to improve our aircraft cabins, and American in particular played an instrumental role with us in developing our biggest and best overhead bins to date.”
The Airspace XL bins accommodate larger luggage – up to 24” x 16” x 10” – allowing standard roll-on bags to be loaded on their sides instead of being inserted flat. This creates room for up to four bags in each bin instead of the current three. The larger bins will significantly reduce the number of passenger bags checked at the gate, the company said.
American‘s selected cabin layout allows the airline greater flexibility in seating arrangements and use of cabin space. The two-class cabin will gain an additional row of First Class seats, bringing the total to 20.
Outfitting the A321neo with a free wireless IFE system allows passengers to select a wide-range of options from their own devices. LED mood lighting will aim to enhance the cabin environment.
