AMR Corporation Announces Largest Aircraft Order In History With Boeing And Airbus

AMR 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.  These new aircraft will allow American to reduce its operating and fuel costs and deliver state-of-the-art amenities to customers, while maximizing financial flexibility for the Company. 

Fleet Replacement Summary:

• 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. 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.
• These 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 from the manufacturers through lease transactions that will help maximize balance sheet flexibility and reduce risk. The financing fully covers the first 230 deliveries.


• Under the agreement with Boeing, American plans to acquire a total of 200 additional aircraft from the 737 family, with options for another 100 aircraft. American has the flexibility to convert the new deliveries into variants within the 737 family, including the 737-700, 737-800 and 737-900ER.


• As part of the Boeing agreement, American will take delivery of 100 aircraft from Boeing's current 737NG family starting in 2013, including three 737-800 options that had been exercised as of July 1, 2011. American also intends to order 100 of Boeing's expected new evolution of the 737NG, with a new engine that would offer even more significant fuel-efficiency gains over today's models. American is pleased to be the first airline to commit to Boeing's new 737 family offering, which is expected to provide a new level of economic efficiency and operational performance, pending final confirmation of the program by Boeing.


• American's most recent deliveries of the 737-800, with 160 seats, include the all-new Boeing Sky Interior, offering larger overhead bins that pivot down and out similar to those on the 787 Dreamliner and, a contemporary feeling of spaciousness and variable LED lighting options for cabin ambience.


• American also will acquire a total of 260 Airbus aircraft from the A320 Family and will have 365 options and purchase rights for additional aircraft. American has the flexibility to convert its delivery positions into variants within the A320 Family, including the A319 and A321.


• American will take delivery of 130 current-generation Airbus aircraft beginning in 2013. Beginning in 2017 American will begin taking delivery of 130 aircraft from the A320neo (New Engine Option) Family featuring next-generation engine technology. The new aircraft are approximately 15 percent more fuel efficient than today's models. American will be the first network airline in the U.S. to deploy this new-technology aircraft.


• The A320 Family features cabin interiors with increased overhead storage, reduced noise and ambient lighting options.


• The 737 and A320 families offer significant cost reduction opportunities in replacing American's older fleet. For example, Boeing and Airbus aircraft in the 737 and A320 families offer a 35 percent reduction in fuel cost per seat versus the MD-80 and a 12 percent and 15 percent fuel cost reduction per seat, respectively, versus the 757 and 767-200.


• The agreements with Boeing and Airbus will continue American's fleet simplification efforts, allowing American to transition from four fleet types (MD-80, 737-800, 757 and 767-200) to two (the 737 and the A320 families, which offer significant commonality benefits within each family).


• With a total of 465 options and purchase rights for additional aircraft from both manufacturers through 2025, these agreements give American the flexibility for replacement as well as growth opportunities under the right economic and financial conditions, with the ability to acquire up to 925 aircraft in total over 12 years


• This unprecedented announcement enhances American's competitive position and will accelerate the transformation its been undertaking by:



• Focusing our network and alliance relationships on serving the world's most important markets with the best partners;


• Enhancing our products and services with industry-leading technology;


• Working to improve the customer experience.


• Today's announcement will deliver important benefits to our shareholders, customers and employees.

In addition, Media are welcome to join the following calls as listen only:

AMR and American Airlines President Tom Horton and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Bella Goren will make a presentation regarding American's fleet transaction during a teleconference on Wednesday, July 20, at 8:30am EDT. To listen to the presentation, call 612-326-1011, and enter the passcode: AMR. The presentation also can be accessed at the Investor Relations site of AA.com.

For the call tomorrow American Eagle Call, Noon CT – 12:30 p.m. CT (800) 288-8976 (password not required). This call will be hosted by Daniel Garton, President and CEO of American Eagle, and Beverly Goulet, Vice President – Corporate Development and Treasurer, for American Airlines, to address AMR's planned divestiture of American Eagle.