American Airlines Places Massive Order for 260 Planes, Largest Aircraft Acquisition in Over a Decade

A early model Boeing 787 at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
American Airlines announced what amounts to be one of the largest aircraft orders of the current decade.
The order includes jetliners from Airbus and Boeing as well as regional jets from Embraer. The Boeing order includes the plane maker’s yet-to-be certified 737 Max 10.
The orders call for 85 Airbus A321neo aircraft, 85 Boeing 737 MAX 10s, and 90 Embraer E175 regional jets. The orders also include options and purchase rights for an additional 193 aircraft. As part of the Boeing order, American has upgauged 30 existing 737 MAX 8 orders to 737 MAX 10 orders.
The Fort Worth-based carrier said that the 260 new planes will enable it to upgauge the aircraft it deploys on domestic and short-haul international routes and offer more premium seats than any other U.S. airline.
It also announced plans to expand the first-class cabins in terms of seat count in its current A319 and A320 planes, a program that will start in 2025. American’s A319 fleet will be increased to 12 domestic first class seats and the A320 fleet will increase to 16.
The upgrades include a completely updated interior of all cabins. New seats will feature power ports and updated trim and finish and there will be larger overhead bins.
American said that it has taken delivery of more than 600 mainline and regional aircraft since 2014 and that, with the orders announced on Monday, will have 440 new aircraft on order.
(Photo: Accura Media Group)