American Airlines considering new widebody order, says CEO, with Boeing 777 retirement nearing
airdatanews.com Jun 12, 2026

American Airlines considering new widebody order, says CEO, with Boeing 777 retirement nearing

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

American Airlines is evaluating a new widebody aircraft order and has issued a request for proposals to Airbus and Boeing. The move comes as the airline plans for the retirement of its Boeing 777 fleet in the 2030s. Chief executive Robert Isom confirmed the evaluation during the airline's annual shareholders meeting, citing long lead times for widebody deliveries. American currently operates 47 Boeing 777-200ERs and has 19 additional widebody aircraft on order. The airline is assessing options for its next widebody acquisition, with deliveries expected in the early 2030s. The evaluation comes later than those of its largest US network rivals.

💡 Why It Matters

  • · American's choice of widebody aircraft could influence the airline's ability to compete in the growing international travel market.
  • · A new order would also determine whether Airbus regains a foothold in American's widebody fleet after the airline cancelled an A350 order in 2018.