Aerospace

American airlines Insight view of A321XLR

Flagship Suite® seats, featuring privacy doors, will be included on all Airbus A321XLR deliveries beginning in 2024.
Premium seating in American’s long-haul fleet will grow more than 45 percent by 2026.
From thoughtfully redesigned lounges to the stylish aircraft interior and enhanced inflight service, customers will have a true premium experience with American.

American Airlines Signs New Agreements With All Three Major Global Distribution Systems(Opens in a new browser tab)

Customers are getting a brand-new ride from American Airlines. The airline will introduce new Flagship Suite® premium seating and a revamped aircraft interior for its long-haul fleet as new deliveries of the Airbus A321XLR start in 2024. Customers can enjoy a private premium experience with a privacy door, a chaise lounge sitting choice, and extra private storage space with Flagship Suite® seats. Customers travelling in American’s premium cabin will experience personalised luxury in their own private sky retreat.

Members of American’s award-winning AAdvantage® loyalty program can earn miles through everyday activities such as shopping and dining that they can use for award tickets to experience American’s new Flagship Suite® seats when it debuts in 2024.

American will also retrofit its Airbus A321T fleet to align those 16 aircraft with the rest of its A321 fleet. American will continue to offer lie-flat seats on its transcontinental routes departing New York and Boston along with its Northeast Alliance partner, JetBlue Airways, providing travelers with a premium experience and the opportunity to arrive refreshed after a cross country flight.

Upon entering American’s redesigned aircraft, created by design powerhouse Teague, customers will be greeted with an illuminated American Flight Symbol and thin red accent lines, affirming their flagship experience. In the Flagship Suite® seats, customers will be surrounded with comfort and expansive surface and storage areas they can utilize to fit their personal needs, whether it’s to nosh on delectable fare, enjoy entertainment or relax throughout the flight.

Aerospace

Boeing’s Aurora Flight Sciences Expands Columbus Plant by 50,000 Sqft

Credit:Aurora Flight Sciences

Aurora Flight Sciences, a subsidiary of Boeing, has launched a significant expansion of its manufacturing facility near the Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Columbus, Mississippi.

This ambitious project will add 50,000 square feet of new space, renovate 40,000 square feet of the existing facility, and introduce advanced automation equipment, robotics, and non-destructive inspection technologies. mcas boeing enhancements will support the growing demand for Aurora’s aerospace systems business.

Since its establishment, Aurora Mississippi has specialized in the production of advanced composite components and assemblies for both military and commercial aircraft. The company first opened in 2005 at Mississippi State University’s Raspet Flight Research Laboratory in Starkville before relocating to its current site in Columbus two years later.

Initially occupying 21,000 square feet, the facility has since grown to encompass over 120,000 square feet, featuring cutting-edge manufacturing technologies such as automated fiber placement. Aurora’s latest expansion is a strategic investment aimed at increasing production capacity for composite components like boeing titanium used in executive jets and the MQ-25TM Stingray composite skins, a key project for its parent company, Boeing.

Additionally, the facility will produce components for NASA’s X-66 sustainable flight demonstrator aircraft, further diversifying its portfolio. Currently employing around 100 full-time staff in Mississippi, Aurora plans to hire more than 60 additional team members by the end of 2025.

Aurora’s expansion project underscores its commitment to Mississippi’s growing aerospace and advanced manufacturing sector. The company maintains strong partnerships with Mississippi State University (MSU) and East Mississippi Community College (EMCC), contributing to research, higher education, and workforce development in advanced manufacturing.

Additionally, Aurora actively supports local K-12 STEM education through summer camps and collaborates with high school vocational education programs. The expansion and renovation project will be carried out in phases over the next two years, with completion expected by 2026. This development marks a significant milestone in Aurora’s ongoing growth and its role in advancing aerospace manufacturing in Mississippi.