American Airlines Single Aisle Replacement

chunk · Post by **chunk** » 15 Mar 2007, 09:15

Whatever AA do it seems they are replacing an increasingly inefficient and obsolete aircraft with one that will be increasingly inefficient and obsolete by the time they get it. That applies whether it is the 73G or any Airbus. Not that it would ever be an Airbus anyway.

I have been on those AA MD-80's. Oh boy. They say KLM's FOkkers are getting old but these MD80's were tragic. And I was at teh back near the engines - great fun for a near 4 hour flight. Nice cabin attendent i remember though....

smokejumper · Post by **smokejumper** » 15 Mar 2007, 13:02

As for narrow bodies, the only available choice is either the A-320 or the B-737. Both are quite efficient, reliable and technologically up-to-date. No selection of wide-body replacements for the 767 has been made, although if AA wants to get more efficient planes earlier, then the B-787 is the only choice. Delivery slots of the 787 are available sooner than those for the (yet to be designed) A-350XWB.

Airmotive · Post by **Airmotive** » 15 Mar 2007, 13:44

TexasGuy wrote:I think i read somewhere that American Airlines was studying putting winglets on thier MD 80 fleet to extend the life of the plane in the fleet by making it more fuel efficient. Any word on that?

The winglets are going on their 757 fleet. They're also doing third party work installing winglets. The 757 should have had winglets right from the start - if for no other reason than it makes a rather goofy-looking aircraft suddenly, strangely beautiful. (IMHO, the 57 always appeared a little bit out of proportion - all knees and elbows. The winglets add some balance to its shape).

CXRules · Post by **CXRules** » 22 Mar 2007, 18:47

American nears decision on MD-80 successor:

http://www.atwonline.com/news/story.html?storyID=8314

TexasGuy · Post by **TexasGuy** » 28 Mar 2007, 18:09

American Airlines is accelerating the delivery of B737's to replace MD80 fleet.

http://tinyurl.com/2rddxd

DFW · Post by **DFW** » 28 Mar 2007, 18:57

It's about time they replaced the MD-80's! 47 of them anyways. Whoever thought that engines should be mounted to the fuselage was obviously already deaf and wanted everyone else to join him.

TexasGuy · Post by **TexasGuy** » 28 Mar 2007, 19:26

DFW wrote:It's about time they replaced the MD-80's! 47 of them anyways. Whoever thought that engines should be mounted to the fuselage was obviously already deaf and wanted everyone else to join him.

HEY!

I like the MD80's. Its a smooth ride, but i do admit it is a bit loud in the back. The ride is much smoother overall than jets with wing mounted engines. You dont get that side to side sway in the rear

A390 · Post by **A390** » 28 Mar 2007, 19:44

A re-engined MD80 does exist: the MD 90 that has high-bypass engines (V2500 I presume). SAS had some of them. Not so many have been build; this is probable linked to the take-over of MD by Boeing

TexasGuy · Post by **TexasGuy** » 28 Mar 2007, 20:17

A390 wrote:A re-engined MD80 does exist: the MD 90 that has high-bypass engines (V2500 I presume). SAS had some of them. Not so many have been build; this is probable linked to the take-over of MD by Boeing

Delta Airlines have some MD90's as well. I think American Airlines got some MD90's when they took over Reno Air. Im not sure if they still operate them or not. Maybe someone here has more info.

RC20 · Post by **RC20** » 29 Mar 2007, 05:16

website-info wrote:American Airlines has forty-seven Boeing 737-800s on order which are not due for delivery until 2013. It is expected that the delivery date of these will be brought forward and up to another fifty ordered. At present American Airlines operates two hundred and ninety-nine MD80s, with an average fleet age of nearly seventeen years. The oldest aircraft is nearly twenty-four years old and the youngest seven years.

The majority of the MD80s are expected to be replaced by the successor to the 737NG family, for which it is thought that American Airlines will be one of the launch customers. The successor to the 737NG is at least two years away from launch with the first of a family of airplanes entering service in the 2014 to 2015 timeframe.

American arranged with someone to jump the line, they start delivery of the 47 in 2009 now.

TexasGuy · Post by **TexasGuy** » 29 Mar 2007, 05:38

These new B737 orders are probably not as large say in the 100-150 aircraft order range, because they are waiting on the B737 replacement. When ever that comes online, i will bet money that American will be one of the first to order it and to do so in a MAJOR way

smokejumper · Post by **smokejumper** » 29 Mar 2007, 16:11

I understand that AA took some 787 options (not orders, but options)along with this 737 order. Any confirmation of this?

TexasGuy · Post by **TexasGuy** » 29 Mar 2007, 17:11

smokejumper wrote:I understand that AA took some 787 options (not orders, but options)along with this 737 order. Any confirmation of this?

Havent heard anything about this. I do know that they have seven B777's to be delivered.

CXRules · Post by **CXRules** » 29 Mar 2007, 17:16

Looks like AA has the option to switch to B787. Here's what ATW is reporting:

American Airlines yesterday said it will expedite both the delivery of the 47 737-800s it has on order and the replacement of a portion of its MD-80 fleet. It will take three aircraft in early 2009 that originally were scheduled to arrive in 2016 and "intends to continue pulling forward deliveries" from the current 2013-16 timeframe to 2009-12. It said it hopes to improve the entire fleet's fuel efficiency by more than 20% by 2020. "We believe that beginning to replace some of our MD-80s in a measured way makes economic sense," CEO Gerard Arpey said, adding that AA's agreement with Boeing "gives us ample flexibility for our long-term fleet plan," allowing the carrier to buy additional 737s with 15 months notice as well as 787s.

RC20 · Post by **RC20** » 30 Mar 2007, 03:05

We are starting to see the next wave in airline orders. You could see more record or near record years (at least for Boeing).

If you remember, Northwest was first in line for 787s when they came out, despite the financial situation. Continental in better shape also jumped on it.

What’s interesting is that it the others refusal to buy or take slots, has stretch the whole thing out.

A350 delays play into this by putting g them in a bind. If you want it before 2015, you have to order Boeing (and call it what you will, either there will be too few A350s to get any before that, or its delayed again on re-design).

Enough orders, then Boeing will accelerate production of the 787 (sedon line) and as they are for the 737. Nice times for them.

smokejumper · Post by **smokejumper** » 30 Mar 2007, 14:56

[quote="Enough orders, then Boeing will accelerate production of the 787 (sedon line) and as they are for the 737. Nice times for them.[/quote]

Yes, it is a nice time for Boeing, but recall that the mid-late 1990's were not so pretty. Boeing was forced to go back to the drawing board and re-thinnk everything - designs, products, manufacturing process, customer service, marketing, pricing, etc. By shedding their arrogance, they have rebounded. Airbus is in a similar situation and the Power 8 program (if fully implemented) will poise them for a good recovery.

CXRules · Post by **CXRules** » 03 Apr 2007, 18:20

A bit more info on the B737/B787 option for AA.

http://www.flightglobal.com/articles/20 ... order.html

bits44 · Post by **bits44** » 03 Apr 2007, 18:29

Its been rumoured that the Aeroflot allotment has been picked up by a U.S. Carrier, but as yet unnamed. although one option was picked up by a Charter operator. It may appear this Thursday on BCA's order sheet.

TexasGuy · Post by **TexasGuy** » 03 Apr 2007, 19:33

That will be a large 787 order, potentially. They will be replacing 74 B767-200's/300's. I wonder how far back that would push the B787 production line? 74 potential orders is a lot from one single carrier.
Imagine if Delta goes with the B787 to replace its B767 fleet. I think they have something like 100 B767's. That would be a major order as well! Good news and potential good news for the B787 program.