American Airlines Flight 718, a Boeing 737 Max, takes off from Miami International Airport on its way to New York on December 29, 2020 in Miami, Florida.
Joe Raedle | fake images
american airlines said Monday that it is ordering 260 new narrow-body aircraft, including dozens of boeing 737 Max 10, which has been long delayed.
The order includes 85 Boeing 737 Max 10 aircraft and 85 Airbus A321neo aircraft, aircraft it says will help it improve on domestic and short-haul international routes. The Fort Worth, Texas-based airline is also ordering 90 Embraer E175 aircraft.
American's order is a vote of confidence for Boeing, which is struggling with a series of production failures and certifications of new planes that have taken years longer than originally expected. Scott Kirby, CEO of rival airline united airlinesHe said earlier this year that his airline has been weighing fleet plans without its Max 10s due to delays.
American said it would also convert orders for 30 Boeing 737 Max 8 planes, a model already a staple of its fleet, to the larger 737 Max 10s.
American is planning to increase its first class on some of its narrowbody planes, the airline also said Monday in conjunction with its first investor day in more than six years. Starting in 2025, it will renew its aging Airbus A320 and A319 aircraft to increase the number of first-class seats.
Airlines have been grappling with high demand for first-class and other premium seats as more customers accumulate credit card points and appear willing to shell out for more space on board.
