American Airlines Considers A330neo Over 787 for Wide Body
American Airlines is nearing a decision on a wide body aircraft order for up to 65 planes, with deliveries expected in the 2030s, as executives weigh the
American Airlines is in advanced talks to place a new wide body aircraft order, with executives indicating a decision is imminent. The airline is considering an order for up to 65 planes to replace aging Boeing 777-200ERs, with deliveries expected in the 2030s. This potential order would address a significant gap in American’s wide body fleet compared to rivals Delta and United, which have 78 and 135 wide body planes on order respectively. The airline currently operates 67 Boeing 777s and 70 Boeing 787s, with only 19 787-9s remaining on order.
The choice between Airbus and Boeing remains open, with American’s current wide body fleet consisting solely of Boeing aircraft. Executives have described the decision process as being in the 'seventh or eighth inning,' suggesting a conclusion is near. The aircraft under consideration include the A330neo, A350, 777X, and 787, though American has signaled a preference for lower-capacity long haul aircraft, making the larger A350 and 777X unlikely options.
American’s leadership has repeatedly stated it does not seek very high-capacity long haul aircraft, a stance informed by United’s challenges with the 787-10 despite its extensive global network. This reduces the likelihood of an order for the 777X or A350, both of which exceed the capacity of American’s current 787-9s. The focus instead falls on the 787 and A330neo families.
While the 787-10 offers strong per-seat economics and fuel efficiency, it comes with a high price tag and long delivery lead times. Delta’s recent order for the 787-10, with first delivery scheduled for 2031, illustrates the timeline challenges. In contrast, the A330neo presents a potentially more accessible alternative: it is generally cheaper, slightly smaller, and available with shorter lead times than the 787.
The possibility of an A330neo order gains credibility from the background of American’s new Chief Commercial Officer, Nat Pieper, who previously held a senior role in fleet strategy at Delta during its A330neo acquisition. His influence may be shaping American’s renewed interest in the aircraft type. This is notable given American’s earlier retirement of its Airbus A330 fleet at the start of the pandemic, despite the relative youth of those planes, which have since been transferred to Vietnam’s Sun PhuQuoc Airways.
American’s current strategy emphasizes fleet renewal, though critics note past investments prioritized aircraft acquisition over passenger experience. The airline is now attempting to improve cabin offerings, such as adding seat-back TVs on narrow body planes, but perceptions remain that spending has focused more on airframes and engines than on customer-facing improvements.
The outcome of the order remains uncertain, with possibilities including a 787-10 purchase or an A330-900neo selection. Industry observers suggest the decision may defy expectations, given American’s historical fleet choices and the strategic implications of choosing Airbus over its traditional Boeing preference. No final announcement has been made, and the situation is described as developing.
