American Airlines brings mainline comforts to regional cabins
October 1, 2025
American Airlines is rolling out redesigned cabins across its regional fleet, delivering a travel experience that closely mirrors its mainline aircraft. The new interiors, announced on Tuesday, will initially appear on American Eagle Embraer 175s before being extended to Bombardier CRJ700s, CRJ900s, and Embraer 170s operated by the airline’s regional partners.
American Airlines’ regional jets get a mainline look and feel
The cabins of American Airlines’ regional aircraft will be fitted with new seat coverings designed to complement American’s refreshed mainline narrowbodies. The seats offer an ergonomic shape, with the quilting and materials of the new seat coverings providing what American describes as a “cleaner, more modern aesthetic.” The refresh will feature colour schemes in hues of blue and tan.
The upgrade is designed to address the differences travellers experience when transferring between regional and mainline flights. Passengers can expect a similar look and feel stepping aboard a regional jet as they would on a new Boeing 737 MAX or Airbus A321neo.
“These modern touches will ensure that every flight — no matter the distance — delivers the comfort, consistency and connectivity customers deserve,” the airline states, adding, “consistency matters when customers are on the move.”
Regional jets get WiFi upgrades and power supply
In-flight connectivity is another major part of the overhaul. Nearly 300 regional jets already offer high-speed satellite WiFi. The airline stated that its full dual-class regional fleet will be equipped by the end of 2026. The system will allow gate-to-gate usage and support video streaming, messaging, and real-time collaboration tools.
“Our customers value staying connected in the air, even on a relatively short flight,” said Heather Garboden, American’s Chief Customer Officer. “We’ve been working diligently to ensure our regional fleet offers the best and most reliable high-speed connectivity, especially as we look ahead to free WiFi in 2026.”
American plans to make WiFi free for its AAdvantage members across both mainline and regional flights beginning in early 2026.
On upgraded regional jets, each row will feature USB-C and standard AC power outlets, ensuring passengers can keep their devices topped up while they are connected.
Service updates complete the regional passenger experience upgrade
American has also enhanced its onboard food service “to create a more consistent experience across both mainline and regional flights.” Passengers in the premium cabin on regional flights can now enjoy a midday snack basket as well as morning and evening snack baskets.
American Airlines is also collaborating with Embraer to design new overhead bins capable of holding standard carry-on bags wheels-first. This would reduce the need to check-in larger carry-on bags at gate, a longstanding pain point on regional flights. The airline states it “anticipates rolling out the aircraft with larger overhead bins in the coming years.”
American Airlines’ new regional cabins: rollout timeline
The regional aircraft upgrade program is considerable in scope, with 566 aircraft in the airline’s regional fleet as of 2025, comprising:
- 122 Bombardier CRJ-700s
- 86 Bombardier CRJ-900s
- 70 Embraer E145s
- 56 Embraer E170s
- 232 Embraer E175s
The first upgraded Embraer 175s are expected to enter service this fall, with American gradually extending the program fleetwide. CRJ700s, CRJ900s, and E170s will undergo interior retrofits in the the next few years.
The airline’s newly delivered regional jets will feature the updated cabin design. As of July, American Airlines expected deliveries of 90 new E175s in total, with 10 remaining in 2025, 20 next year, 15 in 2027, and the remaining 45 from 2028 onwards.
