First Airbus for American Airlines

American Airlines has taken delivery of its first ever modern Airbus aircraft, an A319 complete with Sharklets, a lightweight composite wingtip device that offers up to 4% fuel burn savings.  In the past, American operated the original A300.

American has ordered 260 Airbus single-aisle aircraft to fly it into the future including the Neo.  The airline’s A319s will seat 128 passengers in a two-class configuration, and will be used initially on the carrier’s domestic route network, and then into Central America this fall.  The aircraft are powered by CFM56 engines.

"Everything about the new A319 aircraft has been designed with the customer at the centre", said Virasb Vahidi, American Airlines’ Chief Commercial Officer.  "The introduction of the A319 is another important step in building a strong foundation for the new American.  We're pleased to be partnering with Airbus".

The new aircraft will in the main replace the airline’s large MD80 fleet, but American also has on order the Boeing 737 MAX and is continuing to receive Boeing 737-800s. www.aa.com

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