American Airlines Single-Aisle fleet evolution

American was once the home of more MD80s than any other airline—over 300 at its peak.  In 2011, the airline threw its fleet cat among the pigeons.  At the time, this was a gargantuan order not seen before.  The requirement was 460 single-aisle aircraft with options and purchase rights for another 465.

This deal was the birth of the A320neo family and, shortly after that, the 737 MAX.  It remains an industry watershed moment – after this deal, everything changed. The original Airbus CEO order was only A319’s and A321’s. The NEO order was a family order later reduced from 130 to 100.