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TRAVELLERS will soon be able to relax in a brand new airplane which is poised to take off within days.

American Airlines is set to launch its new Airbus A321XLR which has a focus on comfort.

It is due to take off on December 18.

Initially is will be a transcontinental service from New York’s JFK airport to LAX on the West Coast but the aim is to then expand to a number of transcontinental routes along with transatlantic destinations and routes to South America.

The airline aims to have 40 XLRs in service by 2030.

American’s chief commercial officer Nat Pieper told USA Today that the new aircraft is part of the carrier’s plans to make American Airlines experience more streamlined and predictable, both on the ground and in the air as well as to try to encourage return customers.

Mr Pieper said: “I don’t view it as an event in isolation. We had a coffee announcement and a champagne announcement. Now an airplane, that’s obviously bigger.

“The investments that AA’s making, not just in ’26, but really, it’s now something you’re going to see going forward.”

On board, passengers can relax in new seats in all classes of service.

In business class, the XLR features all-new lie-flat suites with doors.

However, the doors are not yet certified and will have to remain open until the Federal Aviation Administration makes its final approval for use.

The business-class cabins have one seat on each side of the aisle, so every lie-flat suite has aisle access and a window.

As a nice touch, a little drink-size tray table pops up when the seat is put in bed mode.

The new plane is also American’s first single-aisle aircraft which features international-style premium economy seating, arranged with two seats on each side of the aisle in every row.

All premium economy seats come with a footrest and a legrest, along with privacy wings set at head height.

It is similar to a domestic first-class seat and features a large in-flight entertainment screen as well as plenty of storage space.

Behind the premium economy, there are two rows which have extra legroom in economy in the exit rows and then a large cabin of traditional six-across economy seats.

The economy seats come with large in-flight entertainment screens as well as both USB-A and C ports.

All the entertainment systems in all classes allow for Bluetooth headphone connections.

Initially, the A321XLR will start on the JFK-LAX route on December 18 and then start flights from JFK to Edinburgh, Scotland, in March.

Then the planes will fly numerous transcontinental routes from both JFK and Boston-Los Angeles.

In the longer term, it is hoped American will use the planes for additional European markets as well as South American and some African destinations.

Mr Pieper said though the exact routes will be determined by customer demand.

As American’s fleet of the XLR grows, it will weigh up where is best to deploy them.

Mr Pieper said: “Guests will tell us with their wallets and with their comments and preferences where they would truly value it.”

As American increases its fleet of the A321XLR it will retire its older aircraft or move them onto less premium routes.

ONE of the country’s busiest airports has started work on its $6 billion renovation project.

The expansion and enhancement plan includes rolling out a new vertical takeoff facility, facial recognition and other technological improvements, and putting customers first.

Orlando International Airport’s 10-year “Visioning Plan” which officially began on Wednesday, will see travelers impacted over the coming years but all for the greater good.

The project aims to see the airport more readily meet demand as it breaks passenger records year on year by focusing on customer experience, community, infrastructure, and people.

“This vision focuses and unites everything we do around one core purpose: delivering an exceptional experience for everyone who passes through our airports,” said the Greater Orlando Aviation Authority (GOAA) CEO Mr. Lyttle.

“We’re creating spaces that are more welcoming, efficient, and enjoyable, from the parking areas to the gate, so that every step of the journey feels seamless.”

The renovation will take place in five-year and 10-year phases, with completion scheduled for 2035.

For example, by 2030, The GOAA hopes to have developed at least one cargo processing facility and an FAA-approved on-airport AAM vertiport serving various commercial operators.

A vertiport allows for vertical take off and landing from electrical aircraft such as drones and air taxis.

“The development of vertiports will play a pivotal role in the advanced air mobility (AAM) transformation,” said Steer, an infrastructure and critical services global consultancy firm.

“These facilities aim to enhance the efficiency, accessibility, and safety of urban air transport, making it a viable alternative to traditional ground-based transportation.”

Meanwhile, it will also add an extra 8,000 parking spaces to the airport, install a new baggage handling system, and finish Airside 2 gate expansions by 2030.

The completion of Terminal C Phase 2 construction is scheduled for 2035.

Other elements of the renovation plan include the roll out of facial recognition technology rather than boarding passes, smart restrooms, improved lounges, including VR experiences, and enhanced wayfinding and flight information displays.

All of these changes should greatly improve the experience of all travelers, especially those visiting Walt Disney World.

However, as work begins on the refurbishment of the airport’s Gate Link vehicles, including to the tracks and electrical equipment, travelers have already been warned about disruption.

Passengers set to travel through terminals A or B can expect delays between the TSA checkpoint and their gate, the airport has said.

Gates 70 to 129 are affected with only one tram operating between them and the two terminals from December 7.

These gates are used by major airlines including Avelo, Southwest, Delta, Frontier, and Spirit.

The repairs and upgrades will last until fall 2027 with passengers having to wait longer for a tram or even use shuttle buses during overnight hours when no trams are running.

“While this project requires some temporary adjustments, the long-term benefits will enhance safety and ensure our Gate Link system serves passengers reliably for decades to come,” Lyttle said.

“Please allow additional time when arriving or departing MCO from these gates, and follow the directional signage, and information from our airport ambassadors,” the airport tells passengers.

It comes after another US airport has opened its brand new $1.7 billion departures terminal in time for the holidays.