American Airlines Leans Towards Airbus in Upcoming Jet Order

American Airlines is reportedly on the brink of finalizing a significant order for approximately 100 narrowbody jets, with a preference for Airbus, signaling a potential shift in the airline’s procurement strategy. Bloomberg News revealed on Tuesday, February 27, that sources close to the negotiations anticipate Airbus receiving a larger share of the order, which includes both Airbus A321 and Boeing 737-8 aircraft.

The forthcoming announcement, expected in the weeks ahead, will address the replacement needs for some of American Airlines’ oldest aircraft amidst a tight market for new planes. This strategic move comes at a time when Boeing faces heightened scrutiny over its 737 MAX jets following a recent incident involving an Alaska Airlines jet, where a cabin panel detached mid-flight, disrupting the aerospace sector’s plans for 2024.

In pursuit of modernizing its fleet for 2027 and beyond, American Airlines has engaged in discussions with leading aircraft manufacturers, including Boeing, Airbus, and Embraer. The carrier’s Chief Financial Officer, Devon May, emphasized to Reuters the importance of current market dynamics and Boeing’s challenges in their decision-making process for the new aircraft order.

“We absolutely take current events into consideration as we’re going through our analysis of this order,” May remarked, underscoring the airline’s cautious approach amidst Boeing’s ongoing issues.

Requests for comments from Airbus were met with silence, while Boeing and American Airlines had not responded at the time of the report. This upcoming order, pivotal for American Airlines’ fleet strategy, reflects the complexities and considerations airlines must navigate in today’s competitive and ever-evolving aerospace industry.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, Bloomberg.com