American Airlines orders 460 new planes

[oz_mark]

FORT WORTH, Texas -- American Airlines is buying at least 460 new planes over the next five years and splitting the order between aerospace giants Boeing and Airbus.

American's parent, AMR Corp. ( AMR - news - people ), said Wednesday it will buy 260 planes from Airbus and 200 from Boeing ( BA - news - people ). It will also take options and purchase rights for up to 465 additional planes through 2025.

American Airlines orders 460 new planes - Forbes.com

 

[samh004]

Wow, that's a huge order! Hope they have the cash to see it through though, and I wonder how long it'll take to actually get that many delivered. Would love to know exactly what they're thinking of buying.

 

[oz_mark]

News is coming out now. Seems to be narrow bodies:

100 A320
160 A320 Neo

100 737's
100 yet to be launched re-engined 737's

http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-...s-airbus-breaks-boeing-s-two-decade-hold.html

The order consists of 260 Airbus planes and 200 Boeing 737s, Fort Worth, Texas-based American said today in a statement. The deal includes $13 billion of committed financing from the planemakers on the first 230 aircraft, and options and future purchase rights for 465 additional jets.

American’s Boeings will include 100 of a new version of the 737 with revamped engines, making the airline the first customer for a model that the planemaker’s board still must approve. The Airbus jets will be A320s, split equally between the current model and the so-called neo version with new engines.

 

[Noob]

I don't get why they would have B737s AND A320s - doesn't that cause more cost in terms of separate training, separate pilots, different parts etc.?

Either way, great to see such a big airline go to the cost of renewing their fleet!

 

[samh004]

Well this focuses on their domestic Market, which I'll assume is massive, but not on the international segment? Or does that not need any upgrading as yet?

I note no 787's as well. Interesting order.

 

[dajop]

I don't get why they would have B737s AND A320s - doesn't that cause more cost in terms of separate training, separate pilots, different parts etc.?

The airline is probably big enough to achieve economies of scale on both fleets. After all it's not just 20 737's and 20 A320's. But I did read somewhere (pure gossip) that the Airbus purchase may well fit with future growth plans to acquire another US carrier who have a lot of 319/20/21s in their fleet.

 

[ausi ski bum]

With a bit of luck they will retire their MD 80's

 

[serfty]

With a bit of luck they will retire their MD 80's

No luck involved - that's the plan ...

 

[djfuzz]

What about the 757s and 767s on the medium haul / transcon routes though? Would have though such a large order would be the prime time to look at some 787s down the line (especially since they're finally close to first delivery).

 

[samh004]

What about the 757s and 767s on the medium haul / transcon routes though? Would have though such a large order would be the prime time to look at some 787s down the line (especially since they're finally close to first delivery).

I guess that'll be in the future 465 orders by 2025, as ordering now I can't imagine them getting them before 2020 anyway, with all the existing backorders.

 

[drron]

What about the 757s and 767s on the medium haul / transcon routes though? Would have though such a large order would be the prime time to look at some 787s down the line (especially since they're finally close to first delivery).

Looking at the Boeing and Airbus sites the 757 has a range up to 3900NM,the 320 neo-3800NM.not much difference.The 757s though have been having a refurbishment so around for some time yet.
AA doesn't really have extra long long hauls.The 777s are their beast of burden for these routes.

 

[Major]

Looks like the various boneyards are going to need a lot of extra space

File:Ansett-767-N407AN-070405-01-12.jpg - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[Mal]

No luck involved - that's the plan ...

Indeed. AA has some of the most fuel hungry planes in the U.S (The MD8x), and they need to get rid of them.

 

[cove]

For the number 3 airline in America that lost $286 million USD in the last 3 months to be able to get 2 different aircraft financing shows us all why you should expect further problems in the US financial world every decade or two.Sure they needed to do something seeing I tried an American Eagle flight this month and it fell into the"never again" category. Their 757,767 and MD80s look pretty old and tired so I hope this new idea works by saving a lot of fuel.

 

[drron]

What about the 757s and 767s on the medium haul / transcon routes though? Would have though such a large order would be the prime time to look at some 787s down the line (especially since they're finally close to first delivery).

so i went to aa.com and found this on their press release-
American’s fleet modernization program is a multi-pronged initiative. In addition to taking delivery of new aircraft
from Boeing and Airbus, American has taken significant steps over the past few years to revitalize its existing
fleet. The new aircraft from Boeing and Airbus will serve to replace American’s current MD80s, pre-2009
Boeing 737-800s, Boeing 757-200s and Boeing 767-200s.

Should always read further.There are orders for 787s and the 777 300ERs.
So here is the link to the article-
http://www.aa.com/content/images/aboutUs/newsroom/bg_apollo_fleet_renewal.pdf

 

[pauly7]

I don't get why they would have B737s AND A320s - doesn't that cause more cost in terms of separate training, separate pilots, different parts etc.?

Dont forget that Airbus were desperate to crack AA and Boeing were desperate to keep them. Creates a lot of competitive tension by having both, drives down price.

 

[ric_melb]

Thanks for posting the AA link drron. It is very detailed, and provides interesting information on AA, and aircraft generally.
Would recommend people having a look.

 

[codash1099]

Airbus reports that the order allows flexibility to switch between A319/320/321. Previous reports have suggested A321NEO as a replacement for the 757, with near equal range/load capability.

 

[djfuzz]

so i went to aa.com and found this on their press release-
American’s fleet modernization program is a multi-pronged initiative. In addition to taking delivery of new aircraft
from Boeing and Airbus, American has taken significant steps over the past few years to revitalize its existing
fleet. The new aircraft from Boeing and Airbus will serve to replace American’s current MD80s, pre-2009
Boeing 737-800s, Boeing 757-200s and Boeing 767-200s.

Should always read further.There are orders for 787s and the 777 300ERs.
So here is the link to the article-
http://www.aa.com/content/images/aboutUs/newsroom/bg_apollo_fleet_renewal.pdf

Thanks drron. Interesting that the new aircraft will be replacing the 762 widebodies as well!

 

[Flying Fox]

Well this puts to an end those stories that AA was and would only be a Boeing only shop because of some gentlement's agreement that Boeing would supply at super discounts.

I agree with the comments about spliting the order across 737s & A320s being odd but as pointed out, would make more sense if acquiring another airline with A320s already.