Overview
- CEO Robert Isom confirmed that American has an active request for proposals and is in talks with both Airbus and Boeing to evaluate its next widebody order.
- The airline currently lists 19 widebodies on order with options for 28 more as it seeks to finalize long‑range capacity plans.
- American says it is starting the process now because expected Boeing 777 retirements in the 2030s and long manufacturing lead times require early planning.
- The move follows a cautious post‑pandemic strategy that retired a large share of long‑haul planes and a heavy 2024 narrowbody purchase that set domestic capacity through the next decade.
- Key near‑term factors to watch are manufacturer delivery slots and backlogs, the models offered (range and size), and how any new jets will affect international routes, frequencies, and connections for travelers.