American Airlines is nearing a decision on a widebody order for as many as 65 aircraft, a purchase that could return Airbus jets to its long-haul fleet after a six-year absence. The airline is evaluating proposals from both manufacturers, with the immediate requirement focused on replacing its aging Boeing 777-200ER aircraft. The decision could reshape American’s international fleet for the 2030s, although the final aircraft selection remains unresolved.

The potential Airbus return would be a notable reversal for a carrier that has spent years simplifying its fleet around Boeing widebodies. American previously operated 24 Airbus A330 aircraft inherited through its 2013 merger with US Airways, but retired the last examples in 2020. The current evaluation does not establish that Airbus will win, and the order could still favor Boeing or divide between the two manufacturers.

The Decision Is Moving Closer

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American Chief Commercial Officer Nat Pieper told Airliner World that the competition between Airbus and Boeing “could go either way.” The airline has already issued a request for proposals and is assessing its future widebody requirements. Pieper described the process as being in the endgame, suggesting that a decision is approaching, although no firm announcement has been made.

As states, the reported order could include as many as 65 aircraft, but that figure should not be treated as 65 confirmed purchases. It may include options or purchase rights, and the eventual commitment could be smaller. American’s immediate replacement requirement is its fleet of 47 Boeing 777-200ERs, while additional aircraft would support growth and help rebuild capacity lost during the pandemic.

The airline’s existing widebody fleet includes Boeing 777 variants and Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. American has also deferred some previously ordered Dreamliners, with deliveries moved into 2028 and beyond. The new order therefore concerns both replacement and future network planning, rather than simply maintaining the current fleet size.

Airbus Has A Plausible Opening

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The Airbus option most frequently discussed is the Airbus A330-900, although the company could also offer the Airbus A350-900. The A330-900 is smaller than the A350-900 and is designed for long-haul missions that do not require the larger aircraft’s additional range and capacity. The A330-900 is a plausible fit for American’s network, particularly because the airline already uses the 787-9 for its longest routes.

Airbus advertises the A330-900 with a typical three-class capacity of 287 to 303 seats and a range of approximately 7,350 nautical miles (13,600 km). Those specifications would allow American to replace a 777-200ER without necessarily introducing a substantially larger aircraft on every route. The A350-900, by comparison, offers greater capacity and range, which could make it less suitable for the airline’s ordinary long-haul missions.

The A330-900 also has the advantage of being a mature derivative of an established aircraft family. It entered commercial service in 2018, giving American the opportunity to evaluate an aircraft with an operating history rather than a newly introduced type. Pieper has said he prefers aircraft that are already flying, allowing other airlines to work through early operational issues before American considers them. However, Airbus would still need to overcome American’s existing Boeing commonality advantage. Pieper acknowledged that Boeing receives credit for the economic benefits of maintaining a single widebody manufacturer, but said those benefits could be offset by a competitive Airbus proposal. The decision will therefore depend on the complete economic package, not simply the aircraft’s advertised specifications.

“We want the best airplane that’s suited to the missions we’re going to fly. There clearly are commonality benefits, but on the other hand each airplane has unique characteristics, and so you want to just pick the right airplane or airplanes for the markets which we want to fly.”

Boeing Still Has A Strong Position

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Boeing remains the most straightforward option because American already operates a large 787 fleet and has additional aircraft on order. The airline’s pilots, maintenance operation, training programs, and spare-parts inventory are already organized around the Dreamliner, reducing the complexity of adding more examples. The 787-9 is therefore the obvious alternative to an Airbus order.

American operates 70 Dreamliners and has another 19 on firm order, with options for 28 more. A decision to exercise additional 787-9 options could provide a relatively simple path to replacing older aircraft while supporting growth. The aircraft also offers the range required for American’s longest missions, making it a capable replacement for several existing widebody roles. The 777X is another possible Boeing candidate, but it appears less closely aligned with the immediate requirement. American’s 777-300ERs are larger than the 777-200ERs targeted for replacement, and the airline is currently refurbishing those aircraft through 2027. A future replacement decision for the larger 777-300ER fleet could therefore be separate from the order now under consideration.

The final decision could also involve a split order. American could select A330-900s for missions where their size and economics are advantageous while retaining 787-9 options for longer routes. Such an arrangement would allow the airline to diversify its widebody fleet without abandoning the operational benefits of its existing Boeing operation. The choice will ultimately determine whether American returns to Airbus widebodies or continues with an all-Boeing long-haul fleet. For now, the airline has confirmed that both manufacturers remain under consideration, and the reported order is still a proposal rather than a completed purchase.