Could American Airlines Order The Boeing 777X?

American Airlines is evaluating the future of its widebody operations, and with no U.S. airlines ordering the upcoming 777X, could it be the first to consider buying the flagship?

While no official order has come, its aging widebody fleet and a reshaping domestic flying landscape are prompting American Airlines to decide how it will move forward over the next decade.

American Airlines must decide whether an aircraft the size of the 777X is worth it.

American Airlines Studies The 777X, Why?

American Airlines operates an all-Boeing widebody fleet, which includes 47 777-200ERs, 20 777-300ERs, and 66 787 Dreamliners. It has long championed the 777 series, with the 777-200ER delivered in 1999 and the 777-300ER going into service in 2012. However, with these 777 aircraft averaging more than 20 years in service, American Airlines plans to replace the fleet by the 2030s.

The 777X is the next-generation aircraft in the 777 family. It’s a natural choice for American Airlines to explore renewing its fleet, given its current loyalty to Boeing widebodies. It would be an easier transition from its existing 777 fleet and offer better operational efficiency on long-haul flights. The 777X models would deliver similar range capabilities compared to the older ER variants, but the more advanced engines make the aircraft more fuel-efficient.

But perhaps one of the most important things American Airlines is considering is the size. The 777X is significantly larger than the previous 777 variants. It has a stretched body, longer length, wider wingspan, and taller airframe. The 777X is expected to seat more than 420 passengers, compared with fewer than 400 on the ER models.

While the increased size and capacity may fit modern aviation trends, it may not align with American Airlines’ strategic advantages.

American Airlines Decides No 777X Order and Why

American Airlines’ goal of renewing its fleet by the 2030s means it should have finalised a 777X order if it expected timely delivery. However, it never placed a firm order. Instead, it opted to order the smaller 787 aircraft to replace its 777s.

American Airlines isn’t the only US carrier to hold out on ordering the 777X. In fact, none of the big 3, including Delta and United Airlines, have placed an order yet. Part of the reason lies in the 777X’s actual target market.

The 777 was a popular aircraft for US air carriers. Each of the big three had them in their fleets. In the 1990s, these airlines dominated the industry, and Boeing worked to design the perfect product for them.

Enter the 2000s, and we begin seeing the massive A380 take to the skies and airlines like Emirates and Qatar Airways dominating global transportation. Boeing’s favourite partner shifted with a landmark 2005 order from Emirates for 42 777 aircraft, the largest order ever for the family. With a new player in town ready to spend billions, Boeing leaned toward developing a new aircraft that could sustain the high-demand hub-route strategies established by Middle Eastern powerhouses: the 777X programme.

Its size and capabilities lean more toward serving the Gulf region than North America, unlike the original 777.

Was The Boeing 777X Too Much Plane?

The 777X comes in multiple variants: the 777-8 and the 777-9. The 777-8 is the smaller of the two 777X variants; however, it is comparable in size to the latest original 777 model, the 777-300ER. The -9 variant is even larger.

American Airlines operates much differently than the behemoth airlines in the Middle East. Instead of one hub, it has 10 main US hubs, including Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Chicago (ORD), and Charlotte (CLT). It operates on a point-to-point strategy to maximise each strategic hub’s position.

Large widebody aircraft like the 777X perform best with one hub, where they can fill 400+ seats more efficiently. Spreading out hubs, especially with second-tier cities, means less capacity demand on each flight. Smaller aircraft offer more flexibility to increase flight frequency as demand rises. It makes the 777X less necessary for an airline like American Airlines to operate optimally.

If American Airlines were to order the 777X, it would be more of a growth strategy to expand into new long-haul markets than a replacement for models already in its fleet. The 777X is already a highly popular aircraft with more than 600 firm orders. If American Airlines were to place an order, it would be late in the 2030s before it gets its first delivery.

What Is American Airlines’ Future, and What About the 777-300ER?

American Airlines’ refusal to order the 777X shows that it isn’t trying to stay loyal to a specific aircraft family. Instead, it’s looking for a suitable fleet upgrade consistent with its strategy. Its main priorities are expanding its international network and improving schedule efficiency to stay competitive among the US big 3.

By 2030, it plans to retire its fleet of 777s, 767s, and the A330s. Its order for 47 787s helps simplify its fleet strategy with an aircraft it already knows. The order includes 22 787-8s and 25 787-9s, and deliveries have already begun.

The 777-300ER will remain a key part of American’s operations. It is enacting “Project Olympus” to retrofit its current fleet with an enhanced business class to improve comfort on long-haul international flights.