American Airlines Explores Significant Narrowbody Fleet Expansion with Airbus and Boeing

American Airlines (AA) is actively engaged in discussions with both Airbus and Boeing for a substantial narrowbody aircraft order, aiming to address its fleet requirements in the latter half of the 2020s and throughout the 2030s. The announcement was made by Chief Financial Officer Devon May during a recent quarterly earnings call.

The current narrowbody fleet of American Airlines includes 133 A319-100s, forty-eight A320-200s, 218 A321-200s, seventy A321-200NX, fifty-five B737-8s, and 303 B737-800s. With an additional four A321-200NX and seventy-five B737-8s on order, the airline is strategically positioning itself for future growth.

May emphasized the airline’s commitment to maintaining a young fleet, citing the absence of planned aircraft retirements in the current decade. The advantageous timing of fleet expansion in a low-interest rate environment has been a key factor, allowing American Airlines to build its fleet efficiently.

In a recent acquisition move, American Airlines secured ten A321-200NX aircraft from Alaska Airlines, with deliveries expected by the first quarter of 2024. Looking ahead, the airline has fifty A321-200NY(XLR)s on order from Airbus, with the first delivery anticipated in the fourth quarter of 2024. The order is expected to gain momentum in 2025 and 2026.

May’s comments indicate a comprehensive evaluation of the airline’s medium and long-term fleet needs, reflecting a proactive approach to stay ahead in the competitive aviation landscape. The ongoing discussions with both Airbus and Boeing signify American Airlines’ commitment to modernizing and optimizing its fleet for enhanced efficiency and passenger experience in the years to come.