Takes Delivery Of Two New B737-800s
American Airlines took an important step Monday toward
modernizing its domestic fleet, by receiving two Boeing 737-800
aircraft on the eve of their maiden passenger flights.
Employees, customers and public officials commemorated the
arrival of American's first new 737-800s since December 2001 with
ceremonies at company facilities in Chicago and Tulsa. The new
airplanes, which go into service April 14, are the first of 76
737-800s scheduled to arrive through the first quarter of 2011.
The 737s are American's first tentative steps
to replacing many of the 250+ MD-80s that
comprise the bulk of American's short-haul fleet. Those
erstwhile twinjets, though well-established, are also comparatively
inefficient and maintenance-prone.
"Even as we battle many significant challenges, we must remain
focused on our long-term future, which is what these new 737s
represent," said Gerard Arpey, Chairman and CEO of AMR Corp., the
parent company of American Airlines and American Eagle. "While our
MD-80s remain an important part of our fleet and continue to serve
our company and customers well, our new 737s are a vital investment
that will benefit our customers, employees, shareholders and the
communities we serve. They will help keep our product competitive
while offering cost, environmental and operational benefits.
"With today's economic realities causing many companies,
including American, to cut back, we must continue to find ways to
control costs and boost revenues. While it is a big decision to
spend money on new airplanes, especially in tough times, not doing
so could be more expensive in the long run."
In spite of an increasingly
challenging credit market, Arpey noted that American has been
fortunate to be able to secure financing commitments to cover the
majority of its expected 737 deliveries. "With the financing
commitments we have in place, we now have the ability to finance
our expected 737 deliveries well into the fourth quarter of 2010,
and we continue to pursue a number of additional financing
opportunities," Arpey said.
New First Class and coach seats will provide improved living
space and comfort. In addition, new "big bins" for overhead storage
will significantly increase passenger cabin luggage storage
capacity by allowing roll-aboards to be loaded wheels first,
increasing standard roll-aboards storage capacity by almost
double.
Inflight entertainment will include 20 drop-down LCD monitors
mounted in passenger service units under overhead storage bins. The
new planes have 110V AC power available to all passengers -- a
first in American Airlines fleet history and a customer convenience
that ends the need for power adapters. There is one power port per
seat in First Class and two ports per three seats in coach
class.
Over time, American also plans to equip these aircraft with
AirCell's
Gogo Inflight Internet service, which will
allow passengers to surf the Web, check e-mail, and send instant
messages conveniently from the air.
American believes the 737-800s will burn 35 percent less fuel
than an MD-80 on a seat-mile basis. They will also be outfitted
with Blended Winglets, similar to those installed on American's
current fleet. These wing tip extensions provide significant
operating, fuel efficiency and environmental benefits, such as
reduced noise on takeoff and approach and lower emissions through
lower cruise thrust.
The new deliveries will be added to American's current fleet of
77 737-800s and are intended to eventually replace American's fleet
of approximately 270 MD-80s.