American Airlines Considers A330neo or 787 for Up to 65 Wide
American Airlines is nearing a decision on a wide body aircraft order for up to 65 planes, with deliveries expected in the 2030s, as executives weigh the
American Airlines is in advanced talks to place a new wide body aircraft order, with executives indicating a decision is imminent. The airline is considering an order for up to 65 planes from either Airbus or Boeing, with deliveries scheduled for the 2030s. This potential purchase aims to replace aging Boeing 777-200ERs currently in service.
American’s current wide body fleet consists of 67 Boeing 777s and 70 Boeing 787s, but its order book shows only 19 undelivered 787-9s, highlighting a gap compared to rivals. Delta has 78 wide body planes on order, while United has 135, underscoring American’s need to act to remain competitive in long haul markets.
The airline’s leadership has described the decision process as being in the “seventh or eighth inning,” suggesting a choice is close. Executives confirmed the order could include firm commitments and options, and emphasized that the timeline aligns with current manufacturer backlogs for popular models.
While American operates an all-Boeing wide body fleet today, the carrier is open to an Airbus option. Industry analysts note that the A330neo and 787 families are the most likely contenders, as American has ruled out higher-capacity models like the A350 and 777X due to their size and cost, which do not align with the airline’s stated preference for more modest long haul capacity.
The 787-10 remains a logical candidate given its fuel efficiency and strong per-seat economics, especially as American prepares to replace its 777-300ERs. However, the 787’s high cost and long delivery lead times, exemplified by Delta’s 2031 first delivery for its 787-10 order, present challenges.
In contrast, the A330neo offers a potentially lower acquisition cost, slightly smaller capacity, and shorter lead times, making it a viable alternative. This possibility gains credibility given that American’s new Chief Commercial Officer, Nat Pieper, previously held a senior role in fleet strategy at Delta, where he oversaw the airline’s A330neo order.
American retired its pre-merger Airbus A330 fleet early in the pandemic, despite the aircraft being relatively new, and those planes have since been transferred to Vietnam’s Sun PhuQuoc Airways. The airline has acknowledged past strategic missteps in fleet planning, including over-prioritizing domestic operations and retiring efficient wide bodies prematurely.
While American has invested heavily in new aircraft and engines, critics note that passenger experience improvements have lagged, prompting recent efforts to add seat-back entertainment on narrow body jets. The airline says it is now working to correct this imbalance.
As the decision nears, observers expect American to either select the 787-10 or the A330-900neo, with the latter emerging as a compelling wildcard due to its operational fit and potential cost advantages. The outcome will shape the airline’s long haul capabilities for the next decade.
