American Airlines has kept its allegiance to Boeing while ordering its first Airbus narrowbodies through a massive order for 460 aircraft.
American has pledged to purchase 200 Boeing aircraft, spilt between current Next Generation 737 models and "Boeing's expected new evolution of the 737NG, with a new engine", which will be the CFM International Leap X. Deliveries of the current model aircraft begin in 2013.
The Airbus order includes 260 A320 aircraft with flexibility to convert its delivery positions into the A319 and A321. Deliveries of 130 current generation A320s start in 2013, said American, followed by deliveries of 130 A320neos beginning in 2017.
"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," touted American.
Key to the deals is $13 billion in financing committed by Airbus and Boeing in lease transactions covering the first 230 deliveries.
Coinciding with American's revelation of the massive narrowbody order, the carrier posted net $286 million loss for the second quarter, and is the only major US network carrier expected to lose money for the April-June timeframe.
Source: Air Transport Intelligence news
