New Boeing, Airbus Aircraft Will Be Used on American Airlines’
Domestic, International Routes from New York
FORT WORTH, Texas -- AMR Corporation, the parent company of American Airlines and American Eagle, has announced landmark agreements with Airbus and Boeing that will allow it to replace and transform American’s narrowbody fleet over five years and solidify its fleet plan into the next decade. The pacts are good news for American Airlines passengers flying from the three New York Airports – JFK, LaGuardia and Newark, for the new planes will enable American to deliver state-of-the-art amenities to its customers and reduce its operating and fuel costs.
In a step that will modernize American’s fleet flying to domestic destinations from New York, 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. As part of these agreements, starting in 2017 American will become the first network U.S. airline to begin taking delivery of “next generation” narrowbody aircraft that will further accelerate fuel-efficiency gains.
American also recently announced that to enhance the international flying experience from New York and other cornerstone cities, it will be acquiring new Boeing 777-300 aircraft featuring a new first class cabin with fully adjustable, lie-flat seats, and Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner, providing an interior environment with increased comfort and convenience.
American Airlines and American Eagle currently fly 238 times a day from New York-area airports, reaching a total of 63 destinations – 33 of them domestic and 30 international.
The new deliveries are expected to pave the way for American to have the youngest and most fuel-efficient fleet among its U.S. airline peers in approximately five years. American also will benefit from approximately $13 billion of committed financing provided by the manufacturers through lease transactions that will help maximize balance sheet flexibility and reduce risk. The financing fully covers the first 230 deliveries.
Gerard Arpey, Chairman and CEO of AMR and American Airlines, noted that the narrowbody order represents another important step in the company’s strategy to build a strong foundation for the future.
“We have a long track record of meeting our obligations to all of our stakeholders, including strategic partners, lenders, suppliers and investors. We believe this history continues to help us navigate today’s challenges while remaining focused on doing what’s necessary to position American Airlines for long-term success, and we look forward to working with Boeing and Airbus to achieve it,” Arpey said. “Our announcement paves the way for us to achieve important milestones in our company’s future, giving us the ability to replace our narrowbody fleet and finance it responsibly.”
Said Tom Horton, President of AMR and American Airlines: “Our efforts in recent years have transformed nearly every corner of our business. We’ve strengthened our liquidity, focused our network and alliance relationships on serving the world’s most important markets with the best partners, enhanced our products and services with industry-leading technology, and worked to improve the customer experience. This announcement will accelerate this transformation, delivering important benefits to our shareholders, customers and employees.”
