It seems American Airlines is shoring up its options for the future, with a massive order placed today, where Airbus, Boeing and Embraer all benefit.
New aircraft on the way – Image, American Airlines.
In total, American Airlines will be purchasing 260 aircraft today. This is split down as:
- 85 Airbus A321neo
- 85 Boeing 737 MAX 10
- 90 Embraer E175
The orders also include options and purchase rights for an additional 193 aircraft. As part of the Boeing order, American has upgauged 30 existing 737 MAX 8 orders to 737 MAX 10 aircraft, as American Airlines seeks to expand premium seats across its narrowbody and regional fleets, strengthening the airline’s domestic and short-haul international network.
Expanding the narrowbody fleet
The aircraft orders support American Airlines measured growth into the next decade and smooth the delivery schedule in the coming years.
In terms of the larger aircraft on order the A321 and A321neo aircraft have flown its customers across the U.S. and to short-haul international destinations. With the order, American continues to be the largest single-carrier operator in the world of A320 family aircraft.
Airbus A321neo – Image, Airbus
Meanwhile, the airline is planning for the future with the new order of 737 MAX 10s, giving a vote of confidence to Boeing at a time when confidence is a little low. The new 737 MAX 10 will allow the airline to upgauge its fleet and provide more flexibility across its network – subject to the certification of the type.
Boeing 737 MAX 10 – Rendering, The Boeing Company
Ugauging the regional fleet
The order for Embraer E175 will allow American Airlines to bring larger, dual-class regional aircraft into its fleet, which will continue to drive connectivity from smaller markets to the rest of the airline’s global network.
Embraer E175 – Image, Embraer
Dual-class regional jets with premium seating, high-speed satellite Wi-Fi and in-seat power are expected to make up the airline’s regional fleet upon completion of the Embraer E175 deliveries.
The new E175 aircraft will be operated by American Airlines’ wholly-owned regional carriers.
For those looking forward exit of the current families of 50-seater aircraft, it’s going to be a long wait – whilst the new aircraft will arrive, it is estimated to retire all of its 50-seat single-class regional jets by the end of the decade, using larger aircraft to serve small and medium-size markets
Enhancements to existing aircraft
Current aircraft in the fleet will get some love in the meantime, with the airline planning to retrofit its A319 and A320 aircraft beginning in 2025. The retrofit will refresh the interior with power at every seat, larger overhead bins and new seats with updated trim and finish.
American Airlines A319 fleet will be outfitted with more premium seats for a total of 12 domestic first class seats. The A320 fleet retrofits will increase the aircraft’s domestic first-class seat count to 16.
In Quotes
American’s CEO Robert Isom lead, saying
“Over the past decade, we have invested heavily to modernize and simplify our fleet, which is the largest and youngest among U.S. network carriers,”
“These orders will continue to fuel our fleet with newer, more efficient aircraft so we can continue to deliver the best network and record-setting operational reliability for our customers.”
American’s Chief Financial Officer Devon May added:
“We are very pleased to continue our longstanding partnerships with Airbus, Boeing and Embraer with these orders,”
“As we look into the next decade, American will have a steady stream of new aircraft alongside a balanced level of capital investment, which will allow us to expand our network and deliver for our shareholders.”
Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, EVP Sales, Commercial Aircraft, Airbus said:
“The continued investment in the A321neo is a testament to the unprecedented value of the world’s most versatile and capable single-aisle aircraft,” said
“For nearly two decades, American Airlines has used its A320 family of aircraft, some of which have been produced in the U.S. in Mobile, Alabama, to grow its domestic and short-haul international network and provide an exceptional experience for its passengers and crews.”
Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes added:
“We deeply appreciate American Airlines’ trust in Boeing and its confidence in the 737 MAX family. American’s selection of the 737-10 will provide even greater efficiency, commonality and flexibility for its global network and operations,”
“Our team here at Boeing is committed to delivering on this new order and supporting American’s strategic growth with one of the industry’s largest and most modern fleets.”
Arjan Meijer, CEO of Embraer Commercial Aviation concluded
“The E175 is truly the backbone of the U.S. aviation network, connecting all corners of the country,”
“One of the world’s most successful aircraft programs, the E175 was upgraded with a series of modifications that improved fuel burn by 6.5%. This modern, comfortable, reliable and efficient aircraft continues to deliver the connectivity the U.S. depends on day after day. This represents American’s largest-ever single order of E175s, and we thank American for its continued trust in our products and people.”
Expanding the fleet in a measured way
260 aircraft is not a small order – with Airbus, Boeing and Embraer getting an equal split across the 260 (only Embraer edges out Airbus and Boeing by an extra five aircraft.
For American Airlines, growth and replacement is a fact of life for them. With them pushing the premium seat agenda, larger planes help in them upgauging those aircraft will allow the airline to deliver those seats that make the airline the most money, whilst adding additional capacity in the rest of the aircraft.
It also secures their place in the delivery pipelines, which are still very congested, even as the OEMS attempt to ramp up production.
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