American Airlines fleet plans
JF Mezei
Interesting that AA has now repeately said that 737-800s are the
replacement for MD80s. Are they really going to replace 270 MD80s by 280
737-800s ? Or will that significantly scale down the number of aircraft
and handle same capacity with fewer but larger aircraft ?
Or is this some PR statement to make it look like AA has begun to
replace old aircraft until AA is ready to order 100 seaters from
Bombardier or Embraer ?
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FORT WORTH, Texas, May 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Customers onboard
American Airlines Flight 172 from New York (JFK) to Brussels (BRU) on
Thursday, May 7, will be among the first to experience American's
newly-reconfigured Boeing 757 international aircraft on a trans-Atlantic
flight.
American is in the process of reconfiguring 18 of its 124 Boeing 757s
for use on international routes, and Thursday's JFK-to-Brussels flight
is the first to make an international journey with the new
configuration. Featuring new seats, new cabin interiors and updated
inflight entertainment systems, the reconfiguration - slated for
completion by the end of this year - will offer customers a comfortable
international travel experience.
"American Airlines fleet of Boeing 757 international aircraft will be
well-suited to serve select international routes following the
refurbishment initiative," said Lauri Curtis, American's Vice President
- Onboard Service.
The 757 Business Class cabin, with a 2-2 seating configuration, features
16 next-generation, angled lie-flat seats with drop-down armrests; the
ability to slide forward interlocking tray tables that create one of the
largest workspaces in the industry; on-demand audio/video in-seat
entertainment systems providing 28 movies, more than 33 hours of
television programming, 16 audio channels, 50 audio CDs, 15 interactive
games; and new lavatories.
The Economy Class cabin, with 166 seats in a 3-3 configuration, will
receive new seats, new lavatories, new LCD monitors that replace CRT
monitors, and digital media file servers that will provide better
inflight video and audio entertainment quality.
The 757 international fleet will serve select trans-Atlantic and Latin
American routes. Routes are subject to change, but may include New York
to Barcelona, Paris Charles de Gaulle and Brussels; Boston to Paris
Charles de Gaulle; and Miami to Salvador, Brazil, to Recife, Brazil.
UPDATES ON PREVIOUSLY ANNOUNCED AIRCRAFT PROJECTS
American Airlines, a founding member of the oneworld� Alliance,
continues to invest in products and services that make traveling on
American more comfortable and convenient. Below are updates to
previously announced fleet refurbishment projects.
BOEING 737
Since April 14, American has welcomed four new Boeing 737-800 aircraft
into its fleet - the first of 76 737-800s that will arrive through the
first quarter of 2011.
The 737s feature new First Class and Economy Class seats for improved
living space and comfort, new "big bins" for overhead storage, and a
digital inflight entertainment system which includes 20 drop-down LCD
monitors mounted throughout the cabin. Each First Class seat has a 110V
AC power port. In Economy Class, there are two ports per three seats to
provide all passengers better access to power. Over time, these aircraft
will also be equipped with AirCell's Gogo� Inflight Internet service,
which allows customers the ability to surf the Web, check e-mail, and
send instant messages conveniently from the air.
The new deliveries will be added to American's current fleet of 77
737-800s and are intended to eventually replace American's fleet of
approximately 270 MD-80s.
BOEING 777
American recently completed the refurbishment of its fleet of 47 Boeing
777 aircraft, which primarily serve routes between the United States and
locations in the United Kingdom, Japan, China, India and Latin America.
Upgrades include the standardization of the First Class cabin with
customer-favorite Flagship Suites on all of the 777s. The Business Class
cabin now features next-generation, angled lie-flat seats with drop-down
arm rests and audio/video on-demand in-seat entertainment systems
providing 37 movies, more than 78 hours of television programming, 14
audio channels, 50 audio CDs, and 15 interactive games.
BOEING 767-300
Less than two years ago, American Airlines completed the refurbishment
of its fleet of 58 Boeing 767-300s. Customers now enjoy a refreshed and
enhanced next-generation Business Class cabin boasting angled lie-flat
seats with drop-down armrests and personal in-flight entertainment
players with audio/video on-demand entertainment providing 28 movies,
more than 33 hours of television programming, 16 audio channels, 50
audio CDs, and 13 interactive games. With five independent motors, the
new seats offer customers previously unimaginable flexibility. In
addition, the slide-forward feature and interlocking tray tables provide
customers with greater options for work and inflight dining.
American deploys its Boeing 767-300 aircraft for many of its
trans-Atlantic services, as well as on select routes within the United
States and to Latin America.
BOEING 767-200
By mid-2009, American is scheduled to complete updates to its 767-200
fleet of 15 aircraft, which primarily serve long-haul routes such as New
York to San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Miami.
The refurbishment includes the installation of one additional First
Class seat on each aircraft, which increases the number of First Class
seats to 10. American also is replacing First Class seat covers,
armrests and footrests and replacing Business Class seat covers. In
addition, the entire aircraft will receive a lighter and brighter look
with new carpet and sidewalls. New LCD monitors will replace CRT, and a
digital media file server will provide better inflight video and audio
entertainment quality. On long-haul flights, personal inflight
entertainment players are available in First Class and Business Class
with audio/video on-demand entertainment providing 28 movies, more than
33 hours of television programming, 16 audio channels, 50 audio CDs, and
10 interactive games. Additionally, these were the first aircraft in
American's fleet equipped with AirCell's Gogo� Inflight Internet
service, which allow passengers the ability to remain connected while
traveling.
BOEING 757 DOMESTIC
Enhancements to American's fleet of 106 Boeing 757 domestic aircraft
begins this year and includes the installation of two additional First
Class seats, increasing the number of First Class seats to 24 per
aircraft. In addition, 89 of the 106 planes will receive new interior
sidewalls to match those featured in the other 17 planes. New seats
throughout the aircraft - combined with the new sidewalls - provide a
lighter and brighter look. Similar to the 18 aircraft in American's 757
international fleet, these aircraft will sport new LCD monitors to
replace CRT monitors and will include a digital media file server for
better inflight video and audio entertainment quality.
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