American Airlines has announced a massive order for 260 new aircraft. The order breakdown will consist of orders 85 Airbus A321neo, 85 Boeing 737 MAX 10 and 90 Embraer E175 aircraft. There are additional purchase rights for 193 additional aircraft. This compliments American Airlines existing orders for Boeing 787-9, Airbus A321XLR and additional E175 aircraft.
Expanding The Narrowbody Fleet
American Airlines will use this order to ungauge aircraft on domestic and short-haul international routes while increasing premium seat capacity. Over 85 Airbus A321neo aircraft will join the existing 70 A321neo fleet, making American Airlines the largest A321 operator in the globe.“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”, said Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, EVP Sales, Commercial Aircraft, Airbus.
On the Boeing front, American Airlines is doubling their current 737 MAX order book to over 150 aircraft. American will convert 30 existing 737 MAX 8 orders to the larger 737 Max 10. The aircraft will compliment American Airlines current 737 MAX 8 operations allowing for fleet commonality and the ability to ungauge current 737 MAX 8 routes to the 737 MAX 10. American’s selection of the 737-10 will provide even greater efficiency, commonality and flexibility for its global network and operations,” said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.
Expanding Three Class Regional Jets
American Airlines also announced a major order with regional jet manufacturer Embraer for 90 of the popular E175 three class regional jet with purchase rights for 43 additional aircraft. The aircraft will be upfitted with 75 seats split between first class, Main Cabin Extra and economy. American Airlines is expected to retire all of their 50 seat single class E145 and CRJ-200 regional jets by the end of the decade. The E175 and larger CRJ regional jets will replace small and medium sized markets that are currently flown on 50 seat regional jets.
Retrofitting The Existing Narrowbody Fleet
American will begin retrofitting their existing Airbus A319 and A320 aircraft with more premium seats beginning 2025. As part of the retrofit The retrofit the interior will feature power at every seat, larger overhead bins and new seats with updated trim and finish. The A319 fleet will feature 12 domestic first class seats while the A320 fleet will increase the amount of domestic first class seats to 16 per aircraft. These retrofits and new aircraft orders will help American Airlines to fight fierce competition from Delta and United.