American Airlines Orders Hundreds of Planes from Boeing, Airbus, Embraer

American Airlines is making a significant investment in its fleet by ordering 260 new narrow-body jets. This order includes dozens of Boeing’s long-delayed 737 Max 10, as well as 85 Airbus A321neo planes and 90 Embraer E175 planes. These acquisitions will allow American Airlines to upgrade its domestic and short-haul international routes.

The decision by American Airlines to order these planes is a vote of confidence for Boeing, which has been struggling with production flaws and delays in certifying new planes. The CEO of United Airlines, Scott Kirby, had expressed doubts about the Boeing 737 Max 10 due to these delays.

American Airlines’ Chief Financial Officer, Devon May, assures that the airline has financial protections with Boeing and the ability to choose already-certified models if the certification for the Max 10 is further delayed. The delivery of the Max 10 planes is expected to begin in 2028.

The Max 10, the largest aircraft in the Max family, will be configured similarly to some of American Airlines’ A321neo aircraft. It will have approximately 190 seats, with around 20 first-class seats in the front. American Airlines will also convert orders for 30 Boeing 737 Max 8 planes into the larger 737 Max 10s. Additionally, there are purchase options for another 193 planes from the three manufacturers.

The order from American Airlines is a significant boost for Boeing, which is currently under additional scrutiny from the Federal Aviation Administration after a door plug blew out during an Alaska Airlines flight.

In addition to the plane orders, American Airlines announced plans to increase the number of first-class seats on its narrow-body planes. Starting in 2025, the airline will retrofit its older Airbus A319 and A320 planes to accommodate more first-class passengers.

This move reflects the growing demand for premium seats as more customers accumulate points and seek more space on flights. American Airlines expects about 80% of its revenue this year to come from “premium content” and its loyalty program, reflecting an increase from 70% in 2017.

This significant investment in its fleet marks a positive step for American Airlines and its plans for growth and customer satisfaction.

[American Airlines]: https://biztoday.us