American Airlines Fleet Replacement Dilemma

[Matt Molnar]

American Airlines in dilemma on when to replace aging fleet

The airline's old MD-80s guzzle fuel. But how long can the carrier wait for the next generation of jets?

09:43 AM CDT on Sunday, March 9, 2008

By TERRY MAXON / The Dallas Morning News
[email protected]

American Airlines Inc. has a fleet of aging airplanes and a hard decision to make.

Every day it flies an aging McDonnell Douglas MD-80 is another day that it burns 20 percent to 30 percent more fuel than it would use with today's replacement airplane, the Boeing 737-800.

"There's no question, from a purely operational point of view, American should be replacing those airplanes – fuel emissions, noise, maintenance," said aviation consultant Scott Hamilton, who focuses on aircraft manufacturers Boeing Co. and Airbus.

But if American starts replacing its fleet of MD-80s now, it may miss out on a new generation of fuel-efficient airplanes in six or seven years that would burn even less fuel than the 737-800, with fewer emissions and less noise. [Full Article]

[Matt Molnar]

American Airlines in dilemma on when to replace aging fleet

The airline's old MD-80s guzzle fuel. But how long can the carrier wait for the next generation of jets?

09:43 AM CDT on Sunday, March 9, 2008

By TERRY MAXON / The Dallas Morning News
[email protected]

American Airlines Inc. has a fleet of aging airplanes and a hard decision to make.

Every day it flies an aging McDonnell Douglas MD-80 is another day that it burns 20 percent to 30 percent more fuel than it would use with today's replacement airplane, the Boeing 737-800.

"There's no question, from a purely operational point of view, American should be replacing those airplanes – fuel emissions, noise, maintenance," said aviation consultant Scott Hamilton, who focuses on aircraft manufacturers Boeing Co. and Airbus.

But if American starts replacing its fleet of MD-80s now, it may miss out on a new generation of fuel-efficient airplanes in six or seven years that would burn even less fuel than the 737-800, with fewer emissions and less noise. [Full Article]

[Midnight Mike]

Better for American to fly the MD80 until the future version of the 737 is released, besides, there are companies out there that can help the MD80 save some money on gas for a minimal investment....

[cancidas]

why not place an order for a smaller number of 737s, which are only going to delivered 2-3 years from now and keep the cycle going. it's not like AAL isn't used to using old equipment. the older 737s could be the first to be replaced when a replacement is available. as long as they keep them bare metal...

[T-Bird76]

This is a poor article and totally fails to mention that AA owns most of its MD-80s free and clear. Why burden themselves with an aircraft payment when they have perfectly good planes that are still fit to fly. The MD's are far from tired looking inside and AA keeps them in tip top shape.

[cancidas]

This is a poor article and totally fails to mention that AA owns most of its MD-80s free and clear. Why burden themselves with an aircraft payment when they have perfectly good planes that are still fit to fly. The MD's are far from tired looking inside and AA keeps them in tip top shape.

i agree with you on that, but the need to replace thier fleet is only getting closer.

[Midnight Mike]

This is a poor article and totally fails to mention that AA owns most of its MD-80s free and clear. Why burden themselves with an aircraft payment when they have perfectly good planes that are still fit to fly. The MD's are far from tired looking inside and AA keeps them in tip top shape.

The MD80 aircraft that American received from TWA are not that old & can easily keep flying until the next 737 replacement, as to the original MD80 birds, the older ones can be replaced by the 737-800 aircraft on order which is probably what American is doing.....