American Airlines has announced that it has entered into an agreement with Boeing to purchase an additional 30 737 MAX 8 aircraft, exercising its existing purchase options.
In a recent filing, American Airlines also said that 15 of these newly firmed aircraft will be delivered in 2023, with the remaining 15 joining AA’s fleet in 2024.
Valued at nearly $3.7 billion at current list prices, this commitment further boosts the MAX fleet at American Airlines to 130 aircraft upon deliveries. The 737 MAX 8 can fly up to 3,550 nautical miles (6,570 km) and seats around 200 passengers in a single-class configuration. American has configured its MAX 8 jets with 172 seats, comprising 16 recliner-style first-class seats, 30 extra-legroom economy seats, and 126 standard economy seats.
Although American Airlines doesn’t have any MAX aircraft joining its fleet in 2022, it has scheduled 12 deliveries in 2023 and six in 2024, as reported by the airlines in the third quarter of 2021. However, these numbers now increase to 27 deliveries in 2023, followed by 21 in 2024.
Deferment of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners
American Airlines has also deferred the delivery of Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner’s previously scheduled for delivery at the beginning of 2023. Instead, the deliveries have been delayed to the fourth quarter of 2023 and will continue into 2027. As reported by Reuters, Boeing has four 787-9s scheduled for delivery in 2023.
The updated delivery dates will also provide AA some additional time to figure out its growth plan and fleet deployment.