American splits record narrowbody order between Airbus and Boeing

[flee 5]

American Airlines has kept its allegiance to Boeing while ordering its first Airbus narrowbodies through a massive order for 460 aircraft.

 

American has pledged to purchase 200 Boeing aircraft, spilt between current Next Generation 737 models and "Boeing's expected new evolution of the 737NG, with a new engine", which will be the CFM International Leap X. Deliveries of the current model aircraft begin in 2013.

 

The Airbus order includes 260 A320 aircraft with flexibility to convert its delivery positions into the A319 and A321. Deliveries of 130 current generation A320s start in 2013, said American, followed by deliveries of 130 A320neos beginning in 2017.

 

"Under the new agreements, American plans to acquire 460 narrowbody, single-aisle aircraft from the Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 families beginning in 2013 through 2022 - the largest aircraft order in aviation history," touted American.

 

Key to the deals is $13 billion in financing committed by Airbus and Boeing in lease transactions covering the first 230 deliveries.

 

Coinciding with American's revelation of the massive narrowbody order, the carrier posted net $286 million loss for the second quarter, and is the only major US network carrier expected to lose money for the April-June timeframe.

 

Source: http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/2011/07/20/359710/boeing-promises-re-engined-737.html

 

 

Airbus Press Release: http://www.airbus.com/newsevents/news-events-single/detail/american-airlines-acquires-260-airbus-a320-family-aircraft/

[Pieter C. 5]

After the A300-600, I would have never thought AA would buy Airbus aircraft anymore, being such a fervent Boeing operator...

 

So, congrats to Airbus for this major A320-series aircraft order !!!

[KC Sim 2]

Perhaps, if Boeing had the B737RE firmly on offer, the bulk of the order would probably have gone to them. Having seen them operate such a strong Boeing fleet, I interpret their order of A320s and A320Neos as an insurance in case Boeing fails to launch the B737RE.

 

A good strategic move by Airbus to launch the A320 Family Neos ...

 

KC Sim

[flee 5]

This is really a slap in the face for Boeing. It is sad to see them procrastinating about whether to go for a brand new design or to re-engine the B737NG.

 

In the end customers like AA had to force their point of view on Boeing. Note that AA has placed a lot of A320NEO options to cover the eventuality that Boeing might not bring out a good successor to the B737NG.

[Cornelis Boersma 0]

I think with so many airplanes, if you'd only choose one manufacturer, delivery of all those planes will takes ages! Choosing 2 speeds up replacement and expansion!

Its a big loss for Boeing for sure, but maybe now they will start developing that 737RE really fast now. So for the entire aviation business this isnt bad at all!

 

Would be strange to see AA fly with the small busses to be honest!

[Josh T 0]

All I'll say is that it's about bloody time they ordered new aircraft and replaced the dinosaurs that they're still flying. It's good for me because I'm gonna be flying AA in future when I'm in the USA with MH joining OneWorld.

[filipeseda 0]

Now they've got those crappy MD-80s that once failed FAA inspection. It'll be some time before they're replaced with these though.