American Chooses Airbus A319, A321 Variants
As Part Of Its Fleet Transformation Plan
American Selects CFM56-5B, V2500-A5 Engines to Power Aircraft
Company Further Strengthens Fleet Performance and Efficiency
American Airlines today announced another milestone in its fleet transformation plans by selecting the Airbus A319 and A321 variants to be a part of its A320 family fleet order, which was announced in July 2011. These new aircraft, which American expects to begin taking delivery of starting in 2013, build upon the airline's efforts to enhance its fleet in order to be more fuel efficient and provide customers with a state-of-the-art travel experience.
- The A319 fleet will be powered by the CFM56-5B engine from CFM International, a joint venture between General Electric and Snecma.
- The A321 aircraft will be equipped with V2500-A5 engines from International Aero Engines (IAE), a joint venture between Pratt & Whitney, Rolls-Royce, MTU and JAEC.
- As announced in July 2011, American will take delivery of 130 current-generation aircraft from the Airbus A320 family starting in 2013. American exercised its rights to convert its delivery positions to the A319 and A321 variants.
- The Airbus A320 family aircraft 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.
- Beginning in 2017, American will begin taking delivery of 130 aircraft from the A320neo (New Engine Option) family featuring next-generation technology. American will be the first network airline in the U.S. to deploy this new technology.
American is also strengthening its Boeing fleet, with plans to acquire 200 additional aircraft from the 737 family, with options for another 100 737 family aircraft.
- 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 next-generation 737 MAX aircraft, which will be powered by CFM International LEAP-1B engines.
- The new-engine variant is expected to have 10 to12 percent lower fuel burn than current 737s.
For more details on this announcement, see the full release. For more information on American’s July 2011 landmark fleet transaction, visit the landmark fleet newsroom feature .
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