Indulging in a makeover every now and then always makes for a nice change of pace, and when you’re a major airline, it also comes with quite a hefty price tag. American Airlines said it’s going to splash out $2 billion in an effort to spiff up its plane and lobbies after its merger with US Airways.

The time is right for a fresh new face, says the carrier’s chairman and top dog, Doug Parker.
While the union of American Airlines parent AMR Corp. and US Airways was completed last December, the two plan to fully become integrated in 2015.

“Now that we have the network to compete globally, we’re going to deliver a product that’s better than our competitors,” Parker said, reports the Chicago Tribune. “Refreshed cabins and clubs, modernized ticket counters, improved technology and new aircraft.”

Making things look nice will also include new lie-flat seats and WiFi on international flights, power outlets, updated lobby designs with power outlets and work tables near gates and some planes that feature walk-up bars in business class. Yes, I said a walk-up bar IN THE SKY.

This year, American Airlines got 100 aircraft, and will be taking delivery of 112 more new planes in 2015 and 86 in 2016, the company said.

American Airlines spending $2B to refresh planes, lobbies [Chicago Tribune]

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