American Airlines expects its long-haul fleet to grow from about 125 aircraft to 200 by the end of 2010.
This target number includes approximately 40 expected Airbus A321XLR aircraft.
Fort Worth-based American Airlines detailed its fleet expansion plans during its Dec. 23 earnings call, with CEO Robert Isom saying capital spending will remain relatively low through 2029. He suggested that American's relatively young aircraft would give it an advantage over competitors on the network.
“The average age of our fleet is already the lowest,” he says. “We are not nearing retirement, and I really like where we are now because other companies are having to invest in their aircraft and it's been difficult to deliver aircraft these days. Masu.”
American Airlines claims to operate the world's largest A320 family fleet.
American Airlines has not announced when it will deliver the first of the 50 CFM International Leap 1A turbofan-powered A321XLRs it has ordered from Airbus. However, American Airlines and JetBlue Airways have previously said they expect to receive their first A321XLRs this year, and United Airlines expects to receive its first of the type in January 2026.
The narrow-body A321neo variant, which was certified by both the European Aviation Safety Agency and the Federal Aviation Administration last year, is being marketed by Airbus as an economical solution for long-haul flights between secondary cities.
The type entered service in October, with Spanish airline Iberia flying an A321XLR from Madrid to Boston.
American Airlines said it intends to use the plane for transatlantic flights from the U.S. East Coast.
Following a broader trend among U.S. airlines, American Airlines is moving further into the premium market this year with new flagship suite business class seats. This configuration is being deployed on the new Boeing 787-9 and older 777-300 aircraft, as well as on American Airlines' upcoming A321XLR aircraft.
American's current and upcoming 787s will be the “real workhorse” of future long-haul flights, while the 777-300 “will be in service for a long time,” Isom said.
“We'll have to make a decision on the 777-200 at some point,” he said. “We are also in contact with Airbus and Boeing and are mindful of the benefits that can be gained by simplifying our fleet.”
American Airlines received 20 new aircraft and 10 used aircraft last year. It is expected that 40 to 50 new jets will be introduced in 2025.
“The good thing about the aircraft we've been building, despite the challenges in supply chain and aircraft delivery, is that we've spent over $30 billion since our merger (with US Airways in 2013). “When it comes to new aircraft,'' says Isom. “Our fleet is the youngest. We do not foresee large-scale retirements, and we have the flexibility to utilize this vehicle in a very economical manner should we decide that conditions warrant expansion. ”
Like fellow major U.S. carriers Delta Air Lines and United Airlines, American Airlines reported “strong overall performance” on international flights in the fourth quarter, although it did report an increase in transatlantic capacity (available seat kilometers). (measured by ) decreased by nearly 11% compared to the same period last year. .
American Airlines reported fourth-quarter profits of $590 million, up from just $19 million a year earlier.
For the full year 2024, the airline made a profit of $846 million, less than Delta Air Lines and United Airlines' full-year profits of $3.5 billion and $3.1 billion, respectively.
In recent months, American Airlines has begun overhauling its cost structure and domestic network to keep pace with its competitors.
