American Airlines Accelerates 737 Deliveries

[Big Slick]

COMPANY TO BEGIN PULLING FORWARD DELIVERIES OF BOEING 737-800 AIRCRAFT, WITH FIRST DELIVERIES EXPECTED IN EARLY 2009
American Sets Goal To Improve Fleet Fuel Efficiency By More Than 20 Percent By 2020 ​

FORT WORTH , Texas – American Airlines, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of AMR Corp., today said that it has accelerated its fleet renewal plan by beginning the replacement process for a portion of its MD-80 fleet. The Company said that the decision also provides it with substantial fleet flexibility in the future.
Following approval by AMR’s and American’s Board of Directors, American has notified The Boeing Company of its intent to begin pulling forward the delivery of 47 Boeing 737-800 aircraft under a previously existing purchase commitment. American initiated this process by notifying Boeing that American will take delivery in early 2009 of three of these aircraft previously scheduled for delivery in 2016. American intends to continue pulling forward deliveries of the other aircraft from their current 2013-2016 delivery schedules into the 2009-2012 timeframe.
American emphasized, however, that any decisions to accelerate aircraft deliveries will depend on such factors as future economic and industry conditions and the financial condition of the Company.
“We believe that beginning to replace some of our MD-80s in a measured way makes economic sense and represents prudent and strategic reinvestment in our business that will bring long-term benefits to shareholders, customers and employees,” said AMR Chairman and CEO Gerard Arpey. “Our existing agreement with Boeing gives us ample flexibility for our long-term fleet plan. While the MD-80 remains an excellent aircraft that serves us and our customers well, the new 737s will be a great addition to our fleet that will lower our operational costs, boost the fuel efficiency of our fleet and also bolster our efforts to lower emissions and noise levels.”
Arpey noted that American’s long-term purchase contract with Boeing gives the Company substantial fleet flexibility and includes the right to purchase on short notice additional 737s well beyond the 47 committed aircraft as well as the right to purchase 787 aircraft.
He also stressed that the purchase contract with Boeing gives American the ability to obtain the 47 aircraft and additional 737 aircraft with a delivery schedule that best meets the needs of the business, without having to make large firm delivery commitments at a specific time, and that American’s “purchase rights” give it the ability to acquire such additional aircraft from Boeing with as little as 15 months notice.
Arpey cited American’s plan to replace some of its MD-80s with 737s as the latest example of the Company’s efforts to reduce operating costs and fuel consumption. American estimates that the 737 consumes 25 percent less fuel per available seat mile than an MD-80.
Arpey also stated that American has a goal to improve the fuel efficiency of its fleet by more than 20 percent by 2020, and he emphasized that today’s announcement is a step toward achieving that objective.
The effort to improve fleet fuel efficiency is a part of a companywide initiative to reduce fuel consumption to both lower costs and reduce emissions. In addition, as part of its Fuel Smart program that has reduced the Company’s consumption of jet fuel by about 95 million gallons annually, American continues to add winglets to its 737 and 757 fleets and is also saving fuel by employing high-speed tractors to tow airplanes on the ground and by taxiing aircraft with a single engine when feasible. American has set a goal in 2007 to increase Fuel Smart annualized consumption savings to 125 million gallons.
“Strengthening our balance sheet remains a high priority and an important element of building a stronger financial foundation under our Turnaround Plan,” Arpey said. “Our announcement today shows that we are taking action to strike the right balance between reinvestment in the business and the need for continued financial improvement. As we continue to improve our financial performance we will have more flexibility to reinvest in the business for the future.”

 

[macdu]

It's amazing that moving up of the delivery of just 3, yes a whopping 3 airplanes to the the huge fleet AMR has, generates a press release. This helps my recall how?

 

[80drvr]

It's amazing that moving up of the delivery of just 3, yes a whopping 3 airplanes to the the huge fleet AMR has, generates a press release. This helps my recall how?

They said that they are pulling forward all the deliveries, not just the 3 from 2016. The company tends to downplay these types of announcements becuase the employees might view that as morale improving good news-- and we can't have that!

Their initial announcement that they were recalling pilots last year said 10/month, but don't worry, we're not growing, it's only to cover some attrition. Now we're at 30 a month, rumored to go to 40 very soon.

I expect the same kind of piecemeal ratcheting up of aircraft orders from AMR.

 

[ultrarunner]

It's amazing that moving up of the delivery of just 3, yes a whopping 3 airplanes to the the huge fleet AMR has, generates a press release. This helps my recall how?

It doesn't. As soon as negotiations are completed with Boeing, AA will announce an accelerated retirement of the 80's. I would suspect there will be an overall fleet reduction.

 

[johnsonrod]

Surprising because I expected AA to operate those super junky MD80s into the 2030s... Seriously, those MD80s remind me of some of those Russian airliners.

 

[aa73]

Surprising because I expected AA to operate those super junky MD80s into the 2030s... Seriously, those MD80s remind me of some of those Russian airliners.

Dawg.... that hurts! You're dissing my sexy girl... The Mad Dog is a hoot to fly, goes everywhere and best of all, builds character.

You can have your fancy shmancy fly by wire Airbus or steroid 757... I'll stick with "Fly by Cable Wire" anyday!

73, "Super 80 Forever"

 

[tangodelta21]

Surprising because I expected AA to operate those super junky MD80s into the 2030s... Seriously, those MD80s remind me of some of those Russian airliners.

You've never flown freight I'm guessing. AA's Maddog's are the "bee's knees" as far as I'm concerned.....and they pay a helluva lot better than any emb 145 that I know of! I've had the chance to ride the jump with them on more than a few times and I've never seen a "junky" 80 in AA paint. Thanks for the ride!!

 

[75M]

I like the -80 also. Lots of variety.

 

[AA717driver]

Surprising because I expected AA to operate those super junky MD80s into the 2030s... Seriously, those MD80s remind me of some of those Russian airliners.

You fly an ERJ. You have no right to dis ANY airplane, Communist Bloc or not!

Seriously, the whole DC9 family is great fun to fly. You may get your chance, AA will keep them for another 10-12 years and Delta will probably do the same. TC

AA73--The 757's are a hoot to fly but they're a little sterile compared to the 80's. They're kind of like an East German mistress--they are fun but don't give you a lot of warm-fuzzies. I wonder how the 737's are?

 

[HalinTexas]

The B75 is a finger-tip sports car. The B737-800 is kind of a truck. Hope you get to use the 27k engines. The L10 is/was a gentleman's airplane. Overbuilt. Best hand flying airplane I've ever flown.

 

[aa73]

Y
AA73--The 757's are a hoot to fly but they're a little sterile compared to the 80's. They're kind of like an East German mistress--they are fun but don't give you a lot of warm-fuzzies. I wonder how the 737's are?

No clue about the 737s, other than what those guys tell me: uncomfortable seats and loud cockpit but overall a nice hand flying airplane. Of course, after hand flying the -80, any airplane will seem more responsive. But kinda like driving a big truck, slow responsiveness is EXACTLY why I like the 80!

 

[Gorilla]

The 80 is easier to land consistently than the 737, and quieter, but in everything else the 738 rules between the two. It's nice having a powerful climb to 410, and the FMC is very 777-like, much lower workload than the AA MD-80's.

I despised the 767. 777 = way beyond anything else, an absolute joy to operate.

 

[C-150ETOPS]

I despised the 767. 777 = way beyond anything else, an absolute joy to operate.

To each his own. From my 757/767/777 AA time, I'll take the 757, specifically Carib anytime if based on pure flying enjoyment. No heading or speed restrictions, lightweight STARS and SIDS, nil vectoring. Based on $$$ and schedule, the 777 beats the 757/767 especially if you have to sniff the butt of some RJ on a 30 plane approach sequence.

To me, the 777 is like getting to drive a new Rolls Royce, but only between the hours of 3am-6am with no sleep.

 

[TWA Dude]

I can't let this conversation pass without an ode to my beloved 717. Flies great like a DC9-30, climbs like a 757, has the cockpit of the MD11, and one a/c pack is enough to cool the plane in DFW summer heat.

The Airbus flies is like a Microsoft Flight Sim 172. But hey, it's paying the bills.

 

[PhatAJ2008]

Yeah and I guess the -80's are a dying breed...?

 

[glasspilot1]

The B75 is a finger-tip sports car. The B737-800 is kind of a truck. Hope you get to use the 27k engines. The L10 is/was a gentleman's airplane. Overbuilt. Best hand flying airplane I've ever flown.

The 80 flies like a wet noodle. But that's what you get when you fly with trim tabs!

 

[IAHERJ]

Loved the 717 as well. Just wish I got to fly it from the left seat(was one month from captain training when I left for CAL). I'd fly RJ schedules all day if I could do it in a 717 for a few years. I love the 757 and liked the classic 737's but the big ones were unpredictable to land and needed a lot of reverse and brakes to get stopped. The stretch 757 is a bit like that. Give me the 757-200 anyday. Give it 5,000 feet and it will give you the world.

IAHERJ

 

[ATRedneck]

the 738 rules between the two. It's nice having a powerful climb to 410

An -800 at FL410? Powerful climb? Are you flying it empty or something?

Now a -700 will climb like a bat outta hell. Coming out of OAK one night, we leveled at FL410 eighteen minutes after takeoff. Too bad the -700 pays less.

 

[NuGuy]

The 80 flies like a wet noodle. But that's what you get when you fly with trim tabs!

Meh, you guys obviously never flew a DC-9-10.

It would outclimb the autopilot, handled like a fighter and you could still land it like a Cessna without worring about hitting any kind of girlyman tailskid.

Slats? EFIS? GPS? Bah, who needs them! Just a VOR, a high chart and a load of fuel is all you need. The -10's a man's airplane, and will make you a sexual tyrannosaurus.

Nu

 

[Big Slick]

...straining the limits on machine and man.

Laughing out load in fear and hope I've got a desperate plan.
At the one lane bridge I leave the giants stranded at the riverside.
Race back to the farm to dream with my uncle at the fireside.

You're dating yourself with those lyrics ATRedneck.



Did everyone know that YYZ was the identifier for the Toronto VOR?
But I digress.....

 

[atrdriver]

...straining the limits on machine and man.

Laughing out load in fear and hope I've got a desperate plan.
At the one lane bridge I leave the giants stranded at the riverside.
Race back to the farm to dream with my uncle at the fireside.

One of the best songs ever recorded.

 

[Big Slick]

AMR Nears Fleet Changes

AMR (AMR - Cramer's Take - Stockpickr - Rating), the parent of American Airlines, says it's nearly ready to begin taking new jet deliveries.
The world's biggest carrier said that in 2009 it will receive three 737-800s from Boeing (BA - Cramer's Take - Stockpickr - Rating) as it begins to replace its aging MD-80 fleet. The new planes consume 25% less fuel per available seat-mile.
Additionally, American is talking with Boeing about an order for the 787 Dreamliner. "We believe it is a perfect airplane for American, and we are looking forward to the conclusion of negotiations," says Boeing spokesman Randy Harrison.
Under the terms of its contract with Boeing, American can "pull forward" delivery of 47 Boeing 737-800s. The three 2009 planes were previously scheduled for delivery in 2016. The carrier said it will likely move additional deliveries to the 2009 to 2012 time frame.
"Our existing agreement with Boeing gives us ample flexibility for our long-term fleet plan," said CEO Gerard Arpey in a prepared statement. He said American can buy additional 737s on short notice and has "the right to purchase 787 aircraft."
American spokesman Andy Backover declined to elaborate on a potential 787 order. "You can assume that widebody production times would be longer," he said. "But we are not getting more specific about delivery time frames."
Harrison said that after the Sept. 11 attacks, the contract with American was rewritten so as to allow the carrier to defer deliveries to the 2013 to 2016 time frame. To accelerate that schedule, American has to notify Boeing.
Scott Hamilton, who publishes an online newsletter about aircraft manufacturers, says Boeing can provide major customers with deliveries as needed, even when other customers may have to wait longer for deliveries of sought-after aircraft like the 787. "What Boeing does is to reserve delivery slots for customers such as American," he says, "or they will overbook sales in anticipation that there will be some cancellations."

 

[jimcav]

One of the best songs ever recorded.

Best song written by the second best band to come out of Toronto. Triumph being the best.

 

[stlflyguy]

...straining the limits on machine and man.

Laughing out load in fear and hope I've got a desperate plan.
At the one lane bridge I leave the giants stranded at the riverside.
Race back to the farm to dream with my uncle at the fireside.

You're dating yourself with those lyrics ATRedneck.



Did everyone know that YYZ was the identifier for the Toronto VOR?
But I digress.....

Or that the opening notes to YYZ were actually the morse code for YYZ?

stlflyguy

 

[HA25]

Meh, you guys obviously never flew a DC-9-10.

It would outclimb the autopilot, handled like a fighter and you could still land it like a Cessna without worring about hitting any kind of girlyman tailskid.

Slats? EFIS? GPS? Bah, who needs them! Just a VOR, a high chart and a load of fuel is all you need. The -10's a man's airplane, and will make you a sexual tyrannosaurus.

Nu

good friend of mine just got hired into the MD-11 with us, and he's got a bit of "ValueJet" DC-9 time... he said the same thing... love the 9.. It was fast (for a narrow body), nimble, and a man's airplane in that you HAD to know how to fly needle and ball.. I recall j/s on one of them way back and the cockpit to me looked more like a communist era Soviet sub than an airplane. Douglas built the best airplanes in my view.. DC-8, 9, 10, and even the 11 were all good airframes, that hold up well to abuse too.