Two links to same story:

American May Replace Hundreds Of MD-80s

Courtesy: Dallas Morning News

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcont...tories/120806dnbusamr.6c5c20f.html

http://www.dentonrc.com/sharedconten...tories/120806dnbusamr.6c5c20f.html

Topic already going;
http://www1.airliners.net/discussion...general_aviation/read.main/3136124

I've been hearing this for quite a while. I figured it was inevitable, but the question has always been "with what?". The 738 would be the logical choice now, but I think AA is wise to give it some serious thought.

AA MadDogs are gradually disappearing from DCA. The last time I checked all their fllights to MIA were with 738's.

It'll be a sad day when the last MadDog is retired.

Quoting Contrails (Reply 2): The 738 would be the logical choice now, but I think AA is wise to give it some serious thought.

That is my thought as well. They are the right sized aircraft to replace the MD80 with, and AA is a very strong Boeing customer. Isn't their entire mainline fleet all-boeing?

Quoting Contrails (Reply 2): AA MadDogs are gradually disappearing from DCA. The last time I checked all their fllights to MIA were with 738's. It'll be a sad day when the last MadDog is retired.

Yes it will, but they will make way for better, more efficient birds that will take their place.

Quoting Contrails (Reply 2): The last time I checked all their fllights to MIA were with 738's.

S80's no longer operate from MIA.

Quoting Steeler83 (Reply 3): Isn't their entire mainline fleet all-boeing?

Entire, less the Airbus fleet.  

Wow, I had no idea this was news. Next up: "Northwest may not retire its DC-9's this year...."

A friend of mine who works at AA (yes, I actually have a friend who it a pilot at AA), says it would be hard to get the delivery slots for the 738. Maybe as a long term replacement, but aren't they updating them with fuel efficient tail cones or something?

My two cents.

AA do operate the A300 for mainline service

Quoting Slovacek747 (Reply 8): AA do operate the A300 for mainline service

Yes. Mostly on Caribbean and South American routes.

Last paragraph of the article linked above:

"The 37 aircraft scheduled for delivery next year will be used to boost service at existing cities, including Dallas, where Southwest is now able to sell tickets throughout its U.S. network. "

What 37 aircraft scheduled for delivery next year? I was unaware AA was still taking delivery of aircraft at this time.

Quoting Slovacek747 (Reply 8): AA do operate the A300 for mainline service

Shoot! I forgot about their A300s!!!

Quoting Dbo861 (Reply 10): What 37 aircraft scheduled for delivery next year? I was unaware AA was still taking delivery of aircraft at this time.

The last two paragraphs of the article are about SWA, not AA. SWA is taking delivery of 37 aircraft next year.

One of the attractions of the AA MD-80s was the (self-)powered pushback.

I assume they'd still want that capability in their replacement aircraft, particularly at hubs during pushes/banks instead of waiting on a tractor+tow bar to become available.

Quoting Contrails (Reply 2): I've been hearing this for quite a while. I figured it was inevitable, but the question has always been "with what?". The 738 would be the logical choice now, but I think AA is wise to give it some serious thought.

The oldest MD-80s will probably be replaced in the next few years but I think the planes built during the '90s could be flying with AA for another 10 years, depending on how long it takes Boeing to come up with a future aircraft design that will replace the 737NG. Even if they were to make a larger order today it would take a quite a while to replace 300 aircraft from service.

Quoting Contrails (Reply 2): It'll be a sad day when the last MadDog is retired.

I'm right there with you on that. I'm looking forward to flying on an AA Mad Dog next Friday ORD - TUS.

The title should be: American Will Replace Hundreds Of MD-80s (At Some Point).

AAn AAmaziong rumor I heard was that AA was thinking of ordering A320's. I fell out of my chair when I heard that one. It came from a pretty reliable source.

Quoting Aviator27 (Reply 16): AAn AAmaziong rumor I heard was that AA was thinking of ordering A320's. I fell out of my chair when I heard that one. It came from a pretty reliable source.

Why would they do that when they've got deferred 737 orders at killer prices?

Quoting Aviator27 (Reply 16): AAn AAmaziong rumor I heard was that AA was thinking of ordering A320's

AAmerican going AAirbus? That would be an AAmazing day for AA.netters, the forums would be full, and I think some Boeing execs would cry.

I wish they would replace all of them. I think its dumb flying on a MD-80
on long flights like ORD-LAX and like I did YYC to DFW.

PIA777

American must do like Southwest - have a rolling replacement plan, retiring the older planes and taking delivery of new ones as they come due for heavy check or engine overhaul.

They need to have a deal with Boing that covers 738 and Y1-8. When Y1-8 comes about they start taking that in leu of 738s.

They certainly should not invest any more $$$ on the Dogs since they have no ressale value to speak off.

Quoting PIA777 (Reply 19): I wish they would replace all of them. I think its dumb flying on a MD-80

It's fun. I have an upcoming 4 leg trip on 4 MD-80's. Love sitting on the side with 2 seats.

You know when they're gone you'll miss them. And secretly everyone here will miss the DC-9's when NW retires them, just like they miss the -10's. Most dont say it though.

Quoting Futurecaptain (Reply 21): It's fun. I have an upcoming 4 leg trip on 4 MD-80's. Love sitting on the side with 2 seats. You know when they're gone you'll miss them. And secretly everyone here will miss the DC-9's when NW retires them, just like they miss the -10's. Most dont say it though.

Thats why I go against my companies wishes and fly Delta. I would rather
fly a 767-400 or a 777 next week to LAX instead of 2 MD-80s.

PIA777

Quoting Aviator27 (Reply 16): AAn AAmaziong rumor I heard was that AA was thinking of ordering A320's.

Quoting N328KF (Reply 17): Why would they do that when they've got deferred 737 orders at killer prices?

Because with 200+ planes to replace they could quite easily buy both.

Quoting Contrails (Reply 2): It'll be a sad day when the last MadDog is retired.

No kidding.

For now the 738 would be the best option for AA. If only Boeing would start making the 717's with a better marketing plan unlike the original 717 program which failed and resulted in the 717 not selling as well as it was intended/hoped to sell or if Boeing could come up with a totally new jet the size of the MD-80 or of similar size.

-DeltaJet757

Quoting Contrails (Reply 2): It'll be a sad day when the last MadDog is retired.

It would be something to see the last MD from AAs fleet retired. I am all teary eyed already, it being my favourite aircraft type. Luckily I live where i get to fly MD80s every single time i go away, to my first stop DFW. 

But change is good. Lets see what they replace it with. I assume some with the 738s, and well years down the road, what Boeing will have to offer.

I am sick and tired of flying on AA's MD-80s and 738s both airplanes suck!!!

I am a Boeing and AA fan.

But I have to say, JetBlue's A320 with leather seats and PayTV in Y are better than the decrepit AA MD-80s and 738s.

Wider seats, wider isles, quieter, better overhead bins, better galleys and lavatories, less curved sidewalls, faster turnarounds and of course an IFE system that is actually worth viewing.

It is a SHAME that the biggest airline in the world has the ABSOLUTE WORST narrowbody ride of all the majors, ok maybe excluding DC-9s on NW.

Quoting Baron95 (Reply 26): It is a SHAME that the biggest airline in the world has the ABSOLUTE WORST narrowbody ride of all the majors.

Funny you should call them the absolute worst, since we've got old DC-9s from the mid 60's and Mad Dogs from the early 80's still flying passengers around while Airbuses and Boeings from the late 80's with less cycles are ending up at places like Victorville and Opa Locka. From a technical standpoint (when you remove things like IFE from consideration which can be added to any aircraft), sounds like anything but the absolute worst.

Quoting Flyinround731 (Reply 27): Funny you should call them the absolute worst, since we've got old DC-9s from the mid 60's and Mad Dogs from the early 80's still flying passengers around

I excluded the DC-9s didn't I? At least NW's which has the most. Please fly JetBlue's A320 in Y, then fly AA MD-80 or 738 in Y. I have done it on the same day on several occasions - went out on one returned on the other. It is no comparrisson.

Of course I like AA freq flyer program and vast network and international routes (I have over 3M - as in million AAdvantage lifetime miles) and will always choose AA if I can. But I choose them IN SPITE OFF the MD-80s, not because of them.

Enough is enough. AA - get rid of the MD80s. Get rid of the 767s. Lets get some 787s, 777s, and A320Es all with PTV/IFE in the fleet ASAP. Lead the way. While we are at it, lets get the entire Eagle fleet moved over to E170/175/190 over time as well.

Let me ask you a question. Are any of you guys out there missing the rides on the 727? I bet not. Same thing with the MD-80s. We are nostalgic now, but when they are gone it will all be for the bette.

What about getting Eagle to replace some capacity with E170s? That way they could get rid of the oldest MD80s, and kill some capacity on the thinner routes.

Quoting Steeler83 (Reply 11): Shoot! I forgot about their A300s!!!

They are so tactful!  

Quoting Baron95 (Reply 28):

You confuse me. Are you upset with the airplane type of the inglight service offered. Cause wider leather seats and PTV's can be offered on the 738. (don't think something like this would be worth investitng in the case of the MD80s)

I appreciate your complaints with the inflight service or lack thereof compared to B6, but A320s over 738s leaves me wondering.

That being said, AA's narrowbody fleet is not the worse, and even considering that is a personal opinion as inflight service on many majors are similar, the difference lies in the choice of airplane.

Additionally, I have found that many of AA's MD80s are in better condition that many new A32S and 737 aircraft I have been on.

AA 767 pilot told me this several days ok.

AA to be all 737,777,787 fleet by 2015, with hopes that the new generation 737 will be composite like the 787. Guess we will need to wait and see what happens...

Quoting Baron95 (Reply 28): Are any of you guys out there missing the rides on the 727? I bet not. Same thing with the MD-80s.

I do ! 727 was the best looking jet airliner ever (together with the 707).
I had plenty of flights with them (mostly Pan Am which is also missed and Iberia)
I really would love to fly in one again but would not enter one with most airlines flying one today. Next time I am in the States I will definitely try to catch a NW Dc 9.
MD 80s are already a rare sight here. It is mostly 737NG, A320 and EMB E-Jets here. If it would not be for the AB/DBA F100s and the CRJs we would not have any T-tailed rear engined aircraft anymore which I think is really sad !!

Also if AA start phasing out their MDs I think it will take some time untill the last one is phased out so enjoy them as long they last.

Quoting Captaink (Reply 32): You confuse me. Are you upset with the airplane type of the inglight service offered. Cause wider leather seats and PTV's can be offered on the 738. (don't think something like this would be worth investitng in the case of the MD80s)

You are right in the sense that I am mixing complaints. First there is the way American (and United/NW and until recently Delta) outfit their planes. Specifically the IFE - none on the MD80s, old single channel video system on 738/767. Second, there is the choice of planes MD80/738, narrower seats/isles than A320. No, you can not have as large an overhead bin and seats/isles as wide as an A320 on a 738 with the same config 3-3. But that is a minor gripe.

The days of the MD80 are clearly passed. The 738 is hanging in there, but we need a wider Y1 soon. AA needs to strike a deal with Boeing for 738s/Y1-8s now.

Quoting Baron95 (Reply 28): Are any of you guys out there missing the rides on the 727?

I must say I also miss the 727. I know it was a bit underpowered, but seeing those birds (especially the older 100 models with no hush kits) thunder down the runway is what got me interested in aviation to begin with.

I'd love to fly one again, if just to be able to exit out the back stairs directly onto the tarmac, with the scent of aviation fuel in the air.... 

Quoting Baron95 (Reply 34):

What are the Y1-8's???

Quoting N328KF (Reply 15): The title should be: American Will Replace Hundreds Of MD-80s (At Some Point).

Agreed.

Quoting Baron95 (Reply 28): Enough is enough. AA - get rid of the MD80s. Get rid of the 767s. Lets get some 787s, 777s, and A320Es all with PTV/IFE in the fleet ASAP. Lead the way. While we are at it, lets get the entire Eagle fleet moved over to E170/175/190 over time as well

Are you paying? Hope that you have high limits on your credit cards, say in the billions and billions of dollars?

Quoting Vegas005 (Reply 32): AA to be all 737,777,787 fleet by 2015, with hopes that the new generation 737 will be composite like the 787. Guess we will need to wait and see what happens

And we all know how reliable information like this is.....

Quoting Airbus340 (Reply 36): What are the Y1-8's???

A very good question, indeed........


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AA is certainly looking at new aircraft, exploring its options, and will place orders when the time is right. AA has been extremely convservative about growth and orders in recent years (for a variety of reasons that I will not get into here) and could be ready to announce orders soon......good sources say that we could hear something by 2Q2007. The new twist is the possible consolidation of the US industry with the DL/US deal on the table.....this could affect AA's actions as it may want to continue to hold on to its cash as a strategic measure if AA goes looking for a partner.

Its clear that AA has 3 main concerns -

The huge MD80 fleet which will take years and years to replace: I think that its a given that AA will acquire more 737NGs (probably 738s but we could be surprised with a 73G or 739ER order) for expansion and to begin the longterm process of replacing the MD80. At a certain point, AA will move along to the Y1......how this works out depends upon the timing of the Y1, exactly when AA places its order, and how much AA wants to spend and how quickly. But, remember that AA has orders and commitments with Boeing - Boeing has been very flexible with its favorite customers (such as AA), but at some point Boeing expects AA to start taking delivery of new airplanes and certainly before 2013, regardless of the information out there (Look at the DL deal this week......Boeing was not letting favored client DL off the hook so easily concerning the 738s, DL will re-sell the aircraft, but they airplanes are being built).

Next are the 762ERs which serve a niche purpose at AA.....but at some point the airplanes need to be replaced. AA has some time, but decisions must be made in the near term future. Most guess that AA will replace the 762ERs with 787s......even if 787s do not end up on the transcons (they may be too big), AA will juggle allocations and the 787s introduced into the system could fly European/Latin AM routes and the displaced 763ERs could take over the transcon flying.

And,everyone's favorite, the A300s. Some of the leases on these airplanes are coming due starting sometime in 2008, and without any alternatives on order, I assume that AA will start renewing the leases......what choice do they have? A mix of 788s and 789s seems to be the answer here, but even if AA orders tomorrow it will take years for Boeing to deliver the 35 787s that AA needs simply to replace the A300s (not taking expansion or the 762s into account). Thus, the A300s will be around for a good while to come....more years of disscussion about ""the airplane hta everyone loves to hate BUT makes tons and tons of money for AA"" will continue. Side note, some think that AA may go with the 783 as an A300 replacement and I understand the arguement, but I think that AA will not want to be limited by the range of the 783 for operational reasons and rather have the flexibility that the 788/789 offer.

AA may begin replacing MD-80s with Y1-025s or Y1-050s in early 2013...

Quoting DeltaJet757 (Reply 24): For now the 738 would be the best option for AA.

They are replacing the MD-80's with B737's. After Sept '01 the delivery plans were slowed down...

Quoting We're Nuts (Reply 6): Wow, I had no idea this was news. Next up: "Northwest may not retire its DC-9's this year...."

That sounds all too much like a headline you would see in The Onion.  

Order 737-700/800 starting NOW & place an order for the New replacement. Buying or Leasing the Delta 738 being sold to finacial firm would be a good idea. Start negociating with Boeing for a whole family of 787 to replace the A300 and 767's.

Quoting TrijetsRMissed (Reply 14): depending on how long it takes Boeing to come up with a future aircraft design that will replace the 737NG.

Why replace the most sucessful aircraft in history? far as i know they'll keep updating it, but just beacuse AA wants an md-80 replacement doesn't mean they'll ditch the 737.

Quoting Vref5 (Reply 13): assume they'd still want that capability in their replacement aircraft, particularly at hubs during pushes/banks instead of waiting on a tractor+tow bar to become available.

to my knowledge there are'nt any civil boeings or airbuses that can do that. plus, it would mean i redevelopment of an aircraft and i doubt we'll see that.

Quoting Baron95 (Reply 26): But I have to say, JetBlue's A320 with leather seats and PayTV in Y are better than the decrepit AA MD-80s and 738s.

Can't blame you there. In fact, no one has this kind of product really anywhere. F9 has it, but is it free?

The S80 is a great plane, and the only time you would not want to be on one is if you get seated next to the engines in the back.

Quoting Vref5 (Reply 13): One of the attractions of the AA MD-80s was the (self-)powered pushback.

Love that! Although I have not seen it being done lately, maybe due to oil prices?

Quoting Contrails (Reply 2): I've been hearing this for quite a while. I figured it was inevitable, but the question has always been "with what?". The 738 would be the logical choice now, but I think AA is wise to give it some serious thought.

What do the production slots for the 738 look like? Sometimes airlines are forced to buy their second choice simply because they would have to wait to long to get the airplane they really want. If they can't buy them when they want them (assuming they do) perhaps they could lease them sooner. What might lessors have available?

I agree with others on this thread. I fly the 777 and 767 when I can to sit on the 2 seat sides. I always liked that about the DC-9 and MD-80s.

Some years back I worked AA mx in TUL. MX hates all A products because they have no knowledge of it.

My guess is that AA may become the launch customer for the 737 replacement with a 400 aircraft order for narrowbodies and another linked order for 787/777 100-120 widebody order. If from Boeing it would be the largest dollar order ever in the area of 24Billion$$$$$$$$$$$.

Quoting Baron95 (Reply 28): Enough is enough. AA - get rid of the MD80s. Get rid of the 767s. Lets get some 787s, 777s, and A320Es all with PTV/IFE in the fleet ASAP. Lead the way.

Why would AA order A320's with PTV's when they can order 737NG's with PTV's?

Since this topic is already running, can someone explain why this thread is up to 46 replies?

http://www1.airliners.net/discussion...general_aviation/read.main/3136124

Suggest Deletion . . .

I flew AA's 737-800s in 2001 and the plane was beautiful...the way a new plane should be. In 2004, I flew the 737-800 again to San Jose, CR and I found the seats were worn, overhead lights burned out/flickering, and side wall lights yellowed and burned out. I was so disappointed!

AA please do better maintenance on your newer planes! I know they spend so much time and money keeping the MD-80s going that they seem to forget about their newer planes sometime.

The MD-80s, 757s, 767-200s, A300s are all beyond horrible!

Quoting LMP737 (Reply 46): Enough is enough. AA - get rid of the MD80s. Get rid of the 767s. Lets get some 787s, 777s, and A320Es all with PTV/IFE in the fleet ASAP. Lead the way.

They already have a large fleet of 777's

Quoting LMP737 (Reply 46): Why would AA order A320's with PTV's when they can order 737NG's with PTV's?

Correct. And they already have the 737NG's with orders on Deferral