American Bets on 737 MAX With New Order

American is placing its bets on Boeing, announcing a new order on Monday for 260 new narrowbody aircraft. The Fort Worth-based airline’s latest order includes a combination of Airbus, Boeing, and Embraer aircraft.

The order includes 85 Airbus A321neo and 85 Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft along with 90 Embraer E175 regional jets. According to the carrier, the orders also include options for up to 193 additional aircraft.

As part of the announcement, American converted 30 planned 737 MAX 8 orders to the MAX 10. Despite being plagued by certification delays, it is the largest 737 variant to date. The conversion brings the airline’s total commitment for the MAX 10 to 115 aircraft with 75 purchase options for the type.

“We absolutely take current events into consideration as we’re going through our analysis of this order,” American’s Chief Financial Officer Devon May told Reuters in January. He said the airline considered different options from Airbus, Boeing, and Embraer as part of the deal.

American has 440 aircraft on order with the carrier’s orderbook now extending into the next decade. In a press release, the airline said it is “planning for the future with the new order of 737 MAX 10s and looks forward to certification of the aircraft.”

A rendering of an American Boeing 737 MAX 10 aircraft (Photo: Boeing)

Boeing Confidence

On a Q4 2023 earnings call in January, American’s CEO Robert Isom sharply rebuked Boeing, saying the manufacturer “needs to get their act together.”

“The issues that they’ve been dealing with over the recent period of time, but also going back a number of years now, is unacceptable,” Isom added during the call. “And no matter who it is, all of Boeing needs to come together and to get back on the right track.”

American has faced numerous 787 and 737 MAX delivery delays. In 2024, the airline expects to receive 20 737 MAX 8, six 787-9, and two A321neo aircraft, May shared during the January earnings call.

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Ryan Ewing

Ryan founded AirlineGeeks.com back in February 2013 and has amassed considerable experience in the aviation sector. His work has been featured in several publications and news outlets, including CNN, WJLA, CNET, and Business Insider. During his time in the industry, he's worked in roles pertaining to airport/airline operations while holding a B.S. in Air Transportation Management from Arizona State University along with an MBA. Ryan has experience in several facets of the industry from behind the yoke of a Cessna 172 to interviewing airline industry executives. Ryan works for AirlineGeeks' owner FLYING Media, spearheading coverage in the commercial aviation space.

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