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As one of the world’s largest airlines by fleet size, American Airlines operates a vast and diverse range of aircraft. From short-haul domestic routes to long-haul international flights, the carrier’s fleet includes a mix of narrowbody and widebody aircraft, offering plenty of variety for aviation enthusiasts looking to spot, photograph, and log aircraft. In this article, we break down the current fleet of American Airlines and highlight key details that spotters should know.
American Airlines Fleet Overview
According to data from Planespotters.net, American Airlines’ fleet in early 2025 consists of the following aircraft types:
Airbus Aircraft:
- A319-100 – 133
- A320-200 – 48
- A321-200 – 214
- A321neo – 82 (and growing)
Boeing Aircraft:
- 737-800 – 302
- 737 MAX 8 – 70
- 777-200ER – 47
- 777-300ER – 20
- 787-8 Dreamliner – 37
- 787-9 Dreamliner – 22
This list excludes aircraft operated by regional affiliates under the American Eagle brand, such as the Embraer E175 and Bombardier CRJ-700.
Key Features of American’s Fleet
American Airlines’ fleet is a mix of aging workhorses and modern, fuel-efficient airliners. Here are some notable points:
- The A321 Is Growing in Dominance – With over 290 examples in service, the Airbus A321 family (including the A321neo) forms an important part of American’s operations.
- 737-800s Dominate – Despite the addition of the 737 MAX 8, the older 737-800 remains the most common narrowbody in the fleet.
- Triple Sevens for Long Hauls – The 777-300ER is American’s flagship aircraft for high-density international routes, while the 777-200ER continues to serve key transatlantic and transpacific markets.
- Growing Dreamliner Fleet – The 787-8 and 787-9 are increasingly replacing older widebodies, with more deliveries expected in the coming years.
Aircraft Retirements & Fleet Changes
American Airlines has been streamlining its fleet, phasing out older aircraft in favor of more fuel-efficient models. Recent changes include:
- Boeing 767 Retirement – Once a major part of American’s international operations, the 767-300ER has now been fully retired.
- Airbus A330 Retirement – The A330-200s and A330-300s exited the fleet in recent years, making American a Boeing-exclusive widebody operator.
- Boeing 757s Gone – Once a dominant force in American’s domestic, regional and even transatlantic services, the Boeing 757 fleet has now been retired.
- MD-80s Gone – A favorite among aviation enthusiasts, the last McDonnell Douglas MD-80 left American’s fleet in 2019.
Future Fleet Developments
Looking ahead, American Airlines has several aircraft on order to modernize and expand its fleet:
- A321XLR – The airline has ordered 50 of these long-range narrowbodies, which will open up new transatlantic and high-demand domestic routes starting in 2025.
- More 787s – American has additional 787-9s on order, set to replace older aircraft and expand international routes.
- Potential 737 MAX 10 Order – While not confirmed, American has expressed interest in the larger 737 MAX variant.
Where to Spot American Airlines Aircraft
American Airlines AirCal retro livery
For plane spotters, American Airlines provides plenty of opportunities to see its fleet in action. Some of the best locations include:
- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) – American’s primary hub, with nearly every aircraft type in the fleet operating here daily.
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) – A major hub with heavy A321 and 737 operations.
- Miami International Airport (MIA) – The best place to spot American’s long-haul fleet, including the 777-300ER and 787.
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) – A key West Coast hub featuring a mix of domestic and international operations.
- New York JFK & Philadelphia (PHL) – Ideal for catching transatlantic flights on American’s widebodies.
American Airlines’ fleet continues to evolve, with new aircraft replacing older models to enhance efficiency and expand route options.
Have you spotted an interesting American Airlines aircraft recently? Share your experiences in the comments!
Title image: Quintin Soloviev
