Dallas’s American Airlines regional jets to get new cabins, Wi-Fi, and upgrades on CRJ900 and E175

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American Airlines is rolling out a major refresh of its regional jet fleet based in Dallas, introducing newly upgraded interiors and amenities on Bombardier CRJ900 and Embraer E175 aircraft this fall. The redesign aims to bring regional cabins closer to the experience found on its mainline jets, with retrofits planned for CRJ700, CRJ900, E170 and E175 models across its regional affiliates.

Modern interiors, consistent experience

The new interiors focus on providing a more uniform experience across American’s fleet. Updated seat coverings and trim are styled to match the airline’s larger aircraft. Passengers on short-haul flights will no longer feel the noticeable difference between mainline and regional cabins, making the travel experience more predictable.

Each seat will also feature its own power outlet, something that was previously inconsistent across regional planes. This ensures business travelers and leisure passengers alike can keep devices charged without relying on limited shared ports or backup batteries.

Snack service is also being expanded. Until now, regional passengers received a lighter service compared with mainline routes, but the carrier is introducing a standardized midday snack basket across both operations. The change eliminates a long-standing service gap and provides more choice and consistency on shorter flights.

American is working with Embraer to develop larger overhead bins for regional jets. The current bins on many regional aircraft often force passengers to gate-check bags, slowing down boarding and arrival. Larger bins will reduce those hassles and bring storage capacity more in line with narrowbody aircraft like the Airbus A319 and Boeing 737.

Connectivity: fast Wi-Fi and loyalty perks

High-speed satellite Wi-Fi is already available on much of American’s regional fleet, but the carrier is now standardizing that across all dual-class regional jets. Unlike older systems that relied on air-to-ground connections with limited speed and coverage, the updated Wi-Fi connects via satellites for consistent performance gate-to-gate.

American also plans to give AAdvantage loyalty members complimentary Wi-Fi beginning in January. This follows a broader industry trend of airlines shifting toward free inflight internet, though most carriers have only introduced it on mainline aircraft. Extending this to regional flights puts American in a stronger position against rivals Delta and United, both of which are expanding inflight connectivity but have yet to confirm free regional offerings across the board.

Behind the scenes, American has contracted Intelsat to provide the new hardware, enabling aircraft to connect with both geostationary and low-Earth orbit satellites. This hybrid solution is designed to increase speed and reliability, particularly in congested airspace or areas with traditionally weak connectivity.

Retrofit plan and timing

The refresh will be phased in over several years. The first newly configured CRJ900 and E175 aircraft will enter service before the end of 2025, followed by rolling retrofits of existing jets. The program covers nearly all dual-class regional jets operated under the American Eagle banner, including CRJ700, CRJ900, E170 and E175 models.

This represents one of the largest regional fleet investments in the United States. Regional flights often serve as the first and last touchpoints for passengers connecting through major hubs like Dallas-Fort Worth, Charlotte and Philadelphia. By improving these smaller aircraft, American ensures its brand image is consistent across the entire travel journey.

Fleet and regional operator context

American’s regional operations fall under its American Eagle brand, a network of affiliates including Envoy Air, PSA Airlines, Piedmont Airlines, SkyWest and Republic Airways. Together, they operate thousands of daily departures, connecting medium and small cities with American’s major hubs.

PSA Airlines, which operates CRJ700 and CRJ900 jets, will be among the first to introduce the refreshed interiors. Piedmont Airlines, another affiliate, recently placed an order for 45 Embraer E175s scheduled for delivery starting in 2028, ensuring a long-term role for the aircraft type.

In March 2024, American announced a broad fleet renewal order of 260 new aircraft, including 90 Embraer E175s. This larger order reinforces the airline’s commitment to regional connectivity while balancing efficiency and passenger comfort.

Competitive and passenger impact

The regional fleet refresh is also a strategic response to growing competition. Delta has been modernizing its regional cabins with larger aircraft like the Airbus A220, while United is investing heavily in its CRJ550 configuration designed with fewer seats and more space. American’s approach focuses on unifying the passenger experience between mainline and regional jets rather than shrinking cabin layouts.

For passengers, the changes are expected to significantly improve travel satisfaction. Regional flights, often an unavoidable part of connecting itineraries, have long been viewed as less comfortable than mainline segments. By providing power outlets, fast Wi-Fi, larger overhead bins and better snacks, American is reducing that gap.

Business travelers, in particular, will benefit from guaranteed connectivity and device charging, while families and leisure travelers will appreciate easier baggage storage and consistent service. Over time, these enhancements may influence airline choice for travelers booking routes that require regional connections.

Overview

American Airlines’ regional fleet refresh marks a significant step in elevating the passenger experience on shorter routes. With upgraded interiors, universal in-seat power, faster and soon-to-be free Wi-Fi, and larger overhead bins, the carrier is working to bring regional travel on par with its mainline service.

By phasing in these improvements across CRJ700, CRJ900, E170 and E175 jets, American is making regional flights more comfortable and consistent. As the upgrades continue through the rest of the decade, travelers passing through Dallas and other American hubs should begin to notice a smoother, more unified journey—whether flying across the country or on a short hop to a nearby city.