AA Fleet Updates - 2018

RunningSpotter · Fri Feb 09, 2018 3:00 pm

This just in. It’s from the points guy. From what it seems, AA would be installing WIFI and live streaming on its 767 and 757. Unfortunately no power outlets.

https://thepointsguy.com/2018/02/aa-pla ... -terrible/

UpNAWAy · Fri Feb 09, 2018 3:54 pm

itchief wrote:
OB1504 wrote:
MO11 wrote:
I just flew a roundtrip. The only 757s it uses are the 10 ex-US airplanes that remain, so no power or (satellite) WiFi. Movie on aisle screens. The AA website describes the new Main Cabin Extra configuration, and none of these airplanes have that.

I believe all of the LUS 757s have been retrofitted with Main Cabin Extra in the first few rows of the main cabin.

AA321T wrote:
The LAA A319s and the A321Ts are the only narrowbody aircraft retaining their IFE systems. I’ll have to dig around for a public link, as the one I have is for the internal website.

Why would they be removing the IFE from the 737-800s and standard A321s but not the A319s?

They are removing IFE because Doug Parker and his minions think that is what customers want or it will save them money, oh it is both. They are adding seats to all 737/A321's(except A321T). They can't add seats to the A319 fleet because they are already so packed in you can't move your legs. The post above says the LUS 757's have Main Cabin Extra but I do not think any LUS aircraft have MCE, even after seat refit upgrades. The AA fleet it a mess of different configurations.

That is exactly why they are doing a huge cross fleet retrofit to standardize the domestic fleet and that was the driving reason behind IFE. It is in only 20% of the fleet so you either add it to the others or take it out. I think they made the right call on that.

UpNAWAy · Fri Feb 09, 2018 3:59 pm

RunningSpotter wrote:
This just in. It’s from the points guy. From what it seems, AA would be installing WIFI and live streaming on its 767 and 757. Unfortunately no power outlets.

https://thepointsguy.com/2018/02/aa-pla ... -terrible/

They are still trying to decide if they want to keep them longer than planned. If they extend them out a few more years I'd expect a big interiors rework.

Swadian · Fri Feb 09, 2018 9:38 pm

UpNAWAy wrote:
RunningSpotter wrote:
This just in. It’s from the points guy. From what it seems, AA would be installing WIFI and live streaming on its 767 and 757. Unfortunately no power outlets.

https://thepointsguy.com/2018/02/aa-pla ... -terrible/

They are still trying to decide if they want to keep them longer than planned. If they extend them out a few more years I'd expect a big interiors rework.

According to the AA fleet site the 75Ls already have outlets in J and MCE. Same with 763s. The 75H are currently scheduled for 2020 retirement.

jgcotter · Wed Feb 14, 2018 3:21 pm

Piedmont DH8A N809EX is en route from SBY to GTF via IRS and ABR for delivery to Avmax.

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N809EX

airlinereporter · Wed Feb 14, 2018 4:30 pm

RunningSpotter wrote:
This just in. It’s from the points guy. From what it seems, AA would be installing WIFI and live streaming on its 767 and 757. Unfortunately no power outlets.

https://thepointsguy.com/2018/02/aa-pla ... -terrible/

This article is quite inaccurate. the 757s and 767s have been receiving WiFi installs for quite some time. This isn't a new thing.

ckfred · Wed Feb 14, 2018 4:59 pm

I'm a bit surprised that AA is retiring 45 738s in 2019/2020. Yes, the 738 entered service with AA in 1999. So, the oldest 738 would be 20 years old. But, they were initially flying a lot of longer routes, so that the MD-80s could stop flying routes, like ORD-West Coast. I'm betting that from 1999 to 2009, those planes racked up fewer cycles than from 2010 to 2018, as they MD-80s started to retire and the 738s started to fly more short and medium routes.

Would it be safe to assume that there is some sort of upgrade or heavy maintenance due for the oldest planes in the 738 fleet, and that retiring them makes more financial sense?

777PHX · Wed Feb 14, 2018 5:28 pm

It could be a financial decision, e.g. it makes sense for AA to get out of them when they still have some value that can be extracted on the resale market. Or it could have something to do with favorable lease terms if they're leased. It may not be about the aircraft themselves.

Swadian · Wed Feb 14, 2018 7:11 pm

777PHX wrote:
It could be a financial decision, e.g. it makes sense for AA to get out of them when they still have some value that can be extracted on the resale market. Or it could have something to do with favorable lease terms if they're leased. It may not be about the aircraft themselves.

AA did the same thing with some of the younger 75Ls that were retired early.

demkid · Thu Feb 15, 2018 2:57 pm

Today marks the end of Air Wisconsin's operations with AA. Most of the final 10 CRJ-200s flew to FTW yesterday for transfer to United Express. The final plane in the old US livery (N410AW) left the fleet 2 weeks ago.

119297 · Wed Feb 21, 2018 3:36 am

First new aircraft delivery of 2018.

A new 7M8

N303RE / 3RE

http://flightaware.com/live/flight/AAL9701

OB1504 · Wed Feb 21, 2018 6:46 am

AA is starting to install the ViaSat Wi-Fi on the 737-800s, which is easily noticeable by the presence of the new Wi-Fi antenna above the rear fuselage. So far I’ve seen two aircraft with it: 3D* and 3L* (didn’t get complete nose numbers).

AA321T · Wed Feb 21, 2018 11:01 am

OB1504 wrote:
AA is starting to install the ViaSat Wi-Fi on the 737-800s, which is easily noticeable by the presence of the new Wi-Fi antenna above the rear fuselage. So far I’ve seen two aircraft with it: 3D* and 3L* (didn’t get complete nose numbers).

The ones I know for sure are 3BY, 3DM, and 3LR on the 737NG fleet. The first A321S has also been completed and is tail 889.

jgcotter · Thu Feb 22, 2018 1:27 pm

Piedmont DH8A N837EX, in the the Piedmont retro livery, is scheduled to ferry today from SBY to GTF via IRS and ABR for delivery to Avmax. It’s scheduled to ferry as flight number N837HA in homage to Henson Airlines.

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N837HA

Tan Flyr · Thu Feb 22, 2018 2:49 pm

jgcotter wrote:
Piedmont DH8A N837EX, in the the Piedmont retro livery, is scheduled to ferry today from SBY to GTF via IRS and ABR for delivery to Avmax. It’s scheduled to ferry as flight number N837HA in homage to Henson Airlines.

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N837HA

Just curious...why IRS and ABR for refueling stops.? why not a slightly larger Airports such as FWA/ SBN/ GRR for the first stop and SUX for the second?
Are just trying to help out some smaller FBO's? and is the short time listed on flightaware enough for refueling?

jgcotter · Thu Feb 22, 2018 4:28 pm

jgcotter wrote:
Piedmont DH8A N837EX, in the the Piedmont retro livery, is scheduled to ferry today from SBY to GTF via IRS and ABR for delivery to Avmax. It’s scheduled to ferry as flight number N837HA in homage to Henson Airlines.

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N837HA

Piedmont DH8A N837EX, in the Piedmont retro livery, has re-filed as flight number N837EX and just launched as N837EX from SBY to GTF via IRS and ABR for delivery to Avmax.

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N837EX

Rookie87 · Thu Feb 22, 2018 4:37 pm

ckfred wrote:
I'm a bit surprised that AA is retiring 45 738s in 2019/2020. Yes, the 738 entered service with AA in 1999. So, the oldest 738 would be 20 years old. But, they were initially flying a lot of longer routes, so that the MD-80s could stop flying routes, like ORD-West Coast. I'm betting that from 1999 to 2009, those planes racked up fewer cycles than from 2010 to 2018, as they MD-80s started to retire and the 738s started to fly more short and medium routes.

Would it be safe to assume that there is some sort of upgrade or heavy maintenance due for the oldest planes in the 738 fleet, and that retiring them makes more financial sense?

*initially being the key word. The 737 rotates everywhere throughout the system and over the years had turned in to a workhorse at AA. Some did what I felt were like Eagle flights, with how they were scheduled. I’d love to see the cycles on them though.

ckfred · Thu Feb 22, 2018 5:03 pm

I had dinner with a friend who is an AA 738 captain. While the older 738s still have cycles left, one problem is that they use an older HUD system than the planes that started arriving in 2009. Parts for the old system are becoming difficult to find. For whatever reason, the HUD system in the newer 738s will not work with the older planes. It's both a hardware and a software issue. Rather than spend a lot of money to find a solution for planes that are coming up on 20 years old, it's probably better to retire the planes while there are a decent number of cycles left (i.e., have value on the used aircraft market).

At least, that is what he heard from instructors at training recently.

jgcotter · Thu Feb 22, 2018 6:02 pm

Tan Flyr wrote:
jgcotter wrote:
Piedmont DH8A N837EX, in the the Piedmont retro livery, is scheduled to ferry today from SBY to GTF via IRS and ABR for delivery to Avmax. It’s scheduled to ferry as flight number N837HA in homage to Henson Airlines.

https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N837HA

Just curious...why IRS and ABR for refueling stops.? why not a slightly larger Airports such as FWA/ SBN/ GRR for the first stop and SUX for the second?
Are just trying to help out some smaller FBO's? and is the short time listed on flightaware enough for refueling?

Not sure, but possibly the most direct route and easier to get into and out of smaller fields with less traffic.

brooklynchris13 · Thu Feb 22, 2018 8:37 pm

Does anyone know when AA's options on the 78s expire and how much flexibility they have within those options regarding variant? (8,9,10)?

747fan · Fri Feb 23, 2018 1:08 am

AA321T wrote:
OB1504 wrote:
AA is starting to install the ViaSat Wi-Fi on the 737-800s, which is easily noticeable by the presence of the new Wi-Fi antenna above the rear fuselage. So far I’ve seen two aircraft with it: 3D* and 3L* (didn’t get complete nose numbers).

The ones I know for sure are 3BY, 3DM, and 3LR on the 737NG fleet. The first A321S has also been completed and is tail 889.

The wifi mods on the 737's are being done in TPA, with 2 being done per week. 3AY and 3BA should be exiting TPA with the ViaSat by this weekend. There is a 757 being done there each week as well; 5FJ is currently there for mods.
They have been ferrying in/out of there the majority of the time rather than coming in/out on revenue flights so its relatively easy to keep tabs on this on Flightaware.
The 767's are being done in MLB; 392 is currently there.

AA321T · Fri Feb 23, 2018 2:49 am

747fan wrote:
AA321T wrote:
OB1504 wrote:
AA is starting to install the ViaSat Wi-Fi on the 737-800s, which is easily noticeable by the presence of the new Wi-Fi antenna above the rear fuselage. So far I’ve seen two aircraft with it: 3D* and 3L* (didn’t get complete nose numbers).

The ones I know for sure are 3BY, 3DM, and 3LR on the 737NG fleet. The first A321S has also been completed and is tail 889.

The wifi mods on the 737's are being done in TPA, with 2 being done per week. 3AY and 3BA should be exiting TPA with the ViaSat by this weekend. There is a 757 being done there each week as well; 5FJ is currently there for mods.
They have been ferrying in/out of there the majority of the time rather than coming in/out on revenue flights so its relatively easy to keep tabs on this on Flightaware.
The 767's are being done in MLB; 392 is currently there.

Do you know where the Airbuses are being done?

jgcotter · Fri Feb 23, 2018 5:22 pm

E145 N690AE is en route from MQT to RIC for transfer from Envoy to Piedmont. 39 E145s on property now at Piedmont.
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N690AE

Kronesian · Sat Feb 24, 2018 1:23 pm

AA321T wrote:
747fan wrote:
AA321T wrote:
The ones I know for sure are 3BY, 3DM, and 3LR on the 737NG fleet. The first A321S has also been completed and is tail 889.

The wifi mods on the 737's are being done in TPA, with 2 being done per week. 3AY and 3BA should be exiting TPA with the ViaSat by this weekend. There is a 757 being done there each week as well; 5FJ is currently there for mods.
They have been ferrying in/out of there the majority of the time rather than coming in/out on revenue flights so its relatively easy to keep tabs on this on Flightaware.
The 767's are being done in MLB; 392 is currently there.

Do you know where the Airbuses are being done?

They are being done in MLB too, we've had a good showing of 319/320/321 the last few weeks.

Swadian · Sat Feb 24, 2018 3:46 pm

jgcotter wrote:
E145 N690AE is en route from MQT to RIC for transfer from Envoy to Piedmont. 39 E145s on property now at Piedmont.
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N690AE

Why are they transferring from Envoy to Piedmont?

jgcotter · Sat Feb 24, 2018 4:53 pm

CR7 N525EA is en route from MQT to DAY for transfer from Envoy to PSA. 37 CR7s on property now at PSA.
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N525EA

deltaffindfw · Sat Feb 24, 2018 4:59 pm

747fan wrote:
The wifi mods on the 737's are being done in TPA, with 2 being done per week. 3AY and 3BA should be exiting TPA with the ViaSat by this weekend. There is a 757 being done there each week as well; 5FJ is currently there for mods.
They have been ferrying in/out of there the majority of the time rather than coming in/out on revenue flights so its relatively easy to keep tabs on this on Flightaware.
The 767's are being done in MLB; 392 is currently there.

I'm guessing they are going to ramp up to more than 2 per week, otherwise it would take 3 years (150 weeks for 300 planes).

Runway28L · Sun Feb 25, 2018 12:10 am

Can confirm that 738 3BY (N945AN) now has ViaSat.

OB1504 · Sun Feb 25, 2018 4:56 am

747fan wrote:
The 767's are being done in MLB; 392 is currently there.

That explains these semi-regular 767 ferries on MIA-MLB! I assumed they were positioning for sports charters or something.

B757capt · Sun Feb 25, 2018 5:23 am

ckfred wrote:
I had dinner with a friend who is an AA 738 captain. While the older 738s still have cycles left, one problem is that they use an older HUD system than the planes that started arriving in 2009. Parts for the old system are becoming difficult to find. For whatever reason, the HUD system in the newer 738s will not work with the older planes. It's both a hardware and a software issue. Rather than spend a lot of money to find a solution for planes that are coming up on 20 years old, it's probably better to retire the planes while there are a decent number of cycles left (i.e., have value on the used aircraft market).

At least, that is what he heard from instructors at training recently.

Not true. It’s easy to get these parts from third parties and not Rockwell/Honeywell.

The main reason for retirement is the fuel tank AD that is required in these early models. It’s very expensive and requires the sealant to be removed, inspected, and then replaced. It’s one of the most extensive ADs in a difficult area.

jgcotter · Fri Mar 02, 2018 12:02 am

E145 N643AE is en route from MQT to RIC for transfer from Envoy to Piedmont. 40 E145s on property now at Piedmont.
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N643AE

n7371f · Sat Mar 03, 2018 5:00 am

DL has no public plans to retire its 738's from the same era.

B757capt wrote:
ckfred wrote:
I had dinner with a friend who is an AA 738 captain. While the older 738s still have cycles left, one problem is that they use an older HUD system than the planes that started arriving in 2009. Parts for the old system are becoming difficult to find. For whatever reason, the HUD system in the newer 738s will not work with the older planes. It's both a hardware and a software issue. Rather than spend a lot of money to find a solution for planes that are coming up on 20 years old, it's probably better to retire the planes while there are a decent number of cycles left (i.e., have value on the used aircraft market).

At least, that is what he heard from instructors at training recently.

Not true. It’s easy to get these parts from third parties and not Rockwell/Honeywell.

The main reason for retirement is the fuel tank AD that is required in these early models. It’s very expensive and requires the sealant to be removed, inspected, and then replaced. It’s one of the most extensive ADs in a difficult area.

119297 · Sat Mar 03, 2018 1:43 pm

A new 789 delivery this week

N834AA / 8LR
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/AAL9702

washingtonflyer · Sat Mar 03, 2018 2:01 pm

I saw that bird departing CHS when I was there on the grounds. Good looking bird!

B757capt · Sat Mar 03, 2018 2:23 pm

n7371f wrote:
DL has no public plans to retire its 738's from the same era.

B757capt wrote:
ckfred wrote:
I had dinner with a friend who is an AA 738 captain. While the older 738s still have cycles left, one problem is that they use an older HUD system than the planes that started arriving in 2009. Parts for the old system are becoming difficult to find. For whatever reason, the HUD system in the newer 738s will not work with the older planes. It's both a hardware and a software issue. Rather than spend a lot of money to find a solution for planes that are coming up on 20 years old, it's probably better to retire the planes while there are a decent number of cycles left (i.e., have value on the used aircraft market).

At least, that is what he heard from instructors at training recently.

Not true. It’s easy to get these parts from third parties and not Rockwell/Honeywell.

The main reason for retirement is the fuel tank AD that is required in these early models. It’s very expensive and requires the sealant to be removed, inspected, and then replaced. It’s one of the most extensive ADs in a difficult area.

Not sure what that has to do with the conversation? Delta has always flown aircraft for many years beyond others. AAs strategy seems to focus on newer younger fleets with less overhaul costs.

Swadian · Mon Mar 05, 2018 4:35 am

B757capt wrote:
n7371f wrote:
DL has no public plans to retire its 738's from the same era.

B757capt wrote:

Not true. It’s easy to get these parts from third parties and not Rockwell/Honeywell.

The main reason for retirement is the fuel tank AD that is required in these early models. It’s very expensive and requires the sealant to be removed, inspected, and then replaced. It’s one of the most extensive ADs in a difficult area.

Not sure what that has to do with the conversation? Delta has always flown aircraft for many years beyond others. AAs strategy seems to focus on newer younger fleets with less overhaul costs.

Delta has much less 738s anyway so the parts issue might not be as pronounced.

OB1504 · Wed Mar 07, 2018 3:36 pm

Is the C45/Y215 777 configuration being phased out? N788AN/7AV was one of 13 777s in the “high J” configuration but has since been retrofitted with premium economy and is now configured C37/W24/Y212.

Hopefully they took the opportunity to rip out the Zodiac seats while they were at it.

119297 · Thu Mar 08, 2018 1:52 pm

New 7M8 delivery on 3/7/18

N310RF / 3RF
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/AAL9701

usairways85 · Thu Mar 08, 2018 2:00 pm

OB1504 wrote:
Is the C45/Y215 777 configuration being phased out? N788AN/7AV was one of 13 777s in the “high J” configuration but has since been retrofitted with premium economy and is now configured C37/W24/Y212.

Hopefully they took the opportunity to rip out the Zodiac seats while they were at it.

Yes...there will be one 772 configuration

https://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2018/02/16/american-removing-business-class-seats-boeing-777s-standardize-product/

ahj2000 · Thu Mar 08, 2018 3:38 pm

usairways85 wrote:
OB1504 wrote:
Is the C45/Y215 777 configuration being phased out? N788AN/7AV was one of 13 777s in the “high J” configuration but has since been retrofitted with premium economy and is now configured C37/W24/Y212.

Hopefully they took the opportunity to rip out the Zodiac seats while they were at it.

Yes...there will be one 772 configuration

https://viewfromthewing.boardingarea.com/2018/02/16/american-removing-business-class-seats-boeing-777s-standardize-product/

SO they aren’t standardizing on the super Diamond? What a shame...tried them on a domestic upgrade a while back and it was awesome. Never used the Concept D but heard the stories...

prchan · Thu Mar 08, 2018 5:18 pm

I´ve flown these seats on 788, but it was a short flight, so could not feel the issues people mention...In a short flight they seemed ok (except for the backward facing seats)

AA321T · Mon Mar 12, 2018 11:37 am

737's 3AE and 3BD and 757 5FC are currently in TPA getting the ViaSat WiFi modifications.

jgcotter · Tue Mar 20, 2018 1:12 pm

E145 N906AE is en route from MQT to RIC for transfer from Envoy to Piedmont. 41 E145s on property now at Piedmont.
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N906AE

KM964 · Mon Mar 26, 2018 3:44 am

Anyone know what's up with the Allegheny retrojet, N745VJ? FR24 shows the last flight it took was on 3/8 from CLT to PIT. I wanna say maintenance of some sort.

716131 · Mon Mar 26, 2018 3:44 am

alasizon wrote:
tom02 wrote:
Does anyone know when the first A333 will be retired in 2018?

Should began several months from now and all planned by end of year.

Runway28L · Mon Mar 26, 2018 4:12 am

KM964 wrote:
Anyone know what's up with the Allegheny retrojet, N745VJ? FR24 shows the last flight it took was on 3/8 from CLT to PIT. I wanna say maintenance of some sort.

Yes, PIT is still used extensively by AA for C-checks and cabin mods on the L-US Airbus and E190 fleet. A few A319/A320/A321 RONs have been swapping in and out for MX and new seat covers.

jgcotter · Mon Mar 26, 2018 2:42 pm

CR7 N530EA is en route from MQT to DAY for transfer from Envoy to PSA. 38 CR7s on property now at PSA.
https://flightaware.com/live/flight/N530EA

Swadian · Mon Mar 26, 2018 7:08 pm

SQ789 wrote:
alasizon wrote:
tom02 wrote:
Does anyone know when the first A333 will be retired in 2018?

Should began several months from now and all planned by end of year.

When are they going to start leaving? I imagine AA will put A332s on current A333 routes, or will they move 77Es or 763s to PHL and CLT?

bigb · Mon Mar 26, 2018 7:39 pm

Since the original thread couldn't stay on topic, I'll stick this one here...

American close finalizing order for more Boeing aircraft
https://www.bizjournals.com/dallas/news ... -jets.html

osupoke07 · Mon Mar 26, 2018 10:09 pm

Here's the original Reuters report referenced in the BBJ article

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-amer ... SKBN1GZ35U

Looks to be an order of 25-30 frames, no variant specified yet. Nothing mentioned about the A350 order, but one would have to assume that it's on thin ice at the moment.

Hopefully, this means we'll see the 787-10 in American colors soon!

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