(Still) The World's Largest: The American Airlines Fleet In 2024 

Still, breaking down the numbers does go to show where American's priorities lie vs. its competitors. American, Delta and United are all roughly the same size when it comes to fleet size (and American and Delta have actually been trading the title of "largest airline worldwide by fleet size" back and forth the past few years as new aircraft get delivered and older ones are retired). As of February 2024, their fleet sizes are 979 (Delta), 957 (American), and 948 (United). But then you look at their narrowbody fleet size vs. their widebody fleet size, and things really show. * American's widebody fleet as of February 2024 is comprised of 126 aircraft and divided between the Boeing 777 and 787 Dreamliner (47 Boeing 777-200ERs, 20 Boeing 777-300ERs, 37 Boeing 787-8s, and 22 Boeing 787-9s with more on the way). Widebody aircraft make up 13.1% of American's fleet (and it used to be a lot larger before COVID, during which American retired their Boeing 767-300ERs and the Airbus A330s they inherited from US Airways). Consequently, American's intercontinental network is merely a fraction the size of its competitors, with the main focus being on Europe and South America travel. There's not much in the way of a transpacific network, and there's no presence in Africa. * United's widebody fleet as of February 2024 is comprised of 220 aircraft, divided between the Boeing 767s, 777s, and 787 Dreamliner (37 Boeing 767-300ERs, 16 Boeing 767-400ERs, 19 Boeing 777-200s, 55 Boeing 777-200ERs, 22 Boeing 777-300ERs, 12 Boeing 787-8s, 38 Boeing 787-9s, and 21 Boeing 787-10s). Widebody aircraft make up 23.2% of United's fleet. Such a large widebody fleet is the reason why United has a significantly larger intercontinental network compared to its competitors, with heavy focus on Europe, Asia and Oceania, and a fairly healthy amount of focus on South America and Africa. * Delta's widebody fleet as of February 2024 is comprised of 162 aircraft, and they are the only one of the big three to use Airbus widebody aircraft (11 Airbus A330-200s, 31 Airbus A330-300s, 27 Airbus A330-900neos, 28 Airbus A350-900s, 44 Boeing 767-300ERs, and 21 Boeing 767-400ERs). Widebody aircraft make up 16.5% of Delta's fleet. Delta's intercontinental network is somewhere in between the size of American's and United's networks; they serve all six populated continents like United does, although their presence in Oceania is somewhat limited (only serving SYD and AKL from LAX) and their European presence is very centered around CDG and AMS (not coincidentally hubs for Delta's SkyTeam partners Air France and KLM).

The fleet number currently is 957 with AA. Delta is leading by 21 more planes. Always flips and flops between AA or DL fleet wise

ALL PLANES HAVE FEELINGS

I flew on one of their 321 NEOs in November. It was nice, and that’s about all I can say. I flew on their regional “American Eagle” to and from the major airports, and they were fine too. Certainly no frills and a tighter fit, but you’d be silly to expect MORE legroom on a regional jet. Everything has been on time when I’ve flown with them so 🤷🏻‍♂️.

That is a staggering number of planes for a single company.

American Airlines is one of my favorites, and thankfully I live right next to their main hub

If you like this fleet, you can watch Stig Aviation do line maintenance on them out of LAX! There's so much to learn, including how American typically only uses the Max on the east coast

That's a lot of A319s. It's interesting that there are more first class seats than premium economy

Been waiting a long time for these types of videos, it's the best

AA also purchased the last 10 A321's from Alaska. Due into service this spring.

DANG +71 max 8’s

6:51 why was the rat deployed?

I'm an aircraft whisperer, and I can tell you, aircraft do indeed have feelings.

I looked up on Planespotters about the age of the different aircraft types operated by American Airlines. They operate 48 A320-200s that are an average age of close to 23 years old which is the oldest type.

*Such a wide range of different variants.*

American didn’t order any 777x yet they should be getting of the 200ER since it’s the oldest and replace the 767s, 757s by getting more 777x that way there are more ways for long haul

Another important aspect of an airline is their service..... Inflight and ground

wow thats a lot of planes

My favorite airline!

I hope AA returns the larger 787-9 to Tokyo soon!

Wow that’s a lot of planes

Ohhh! That flashing flashing flashing background at 1:40 and either side.

Looking forward to seeing the new AA cabins, especially with IFE, which only seems to be present in their longhaul fleet. Since they are deferring delivery of some 787 aircraft, there's a possibility that AA will switch some of those orders to the 777-8 or 777-9.

Add another 574 to the fleet for all their regional affiliates!!

I have executive platinum on AA. Can’t wait to fly on these new planes

I think the only cabin they will not retrofit as far as I know will be the 777-200ERs, since they are close to being retired in the 2030s

Wonderful fleet.

Great content! can you make a video as to why the 3 big US carriers still use the 757 and 767 frequently to this day despite their age

The video shot pdx aviation, anyone know RAM Air turbine is on. I thought they only used during engine failure. Or am I wrong

Brilliant👍

What is that small fan under the belly of that 787? 3:55

Recently enjoyed the A319 up front. I have had two great flights recently. Similar to Delta's 717s. Those smaller jets are just my preferences.

That's a very big fleet, but I prefer United's and Delta's because those fleets are more varied in aircraft types.

Wonder why American decided to retain their 767s when air freight companies like Amazon Prime Air were snapping them up for conversion?

American airlines planes: We want our old liveries back. we shouldn't have been painted in these new liveries now our old liveries will be forgotten thanks to you

I’m sure gonna miss the 777-200ERs when they are retired in the 2030s!

Where wide bodies?

Can you do Delta next

Absolutely love, American airlines fleet and the company. Our only fly American.

I always thought Turkish is number one now...

Make one for air india and indigo please

Can you do Philippine Airlines and Cebu Pacific

What about the 757 and 767?

Missing 4 engine wide bodies. Don’t like cramming more people into A320 family or 737s and calling them medium haul aircraft’s. 5 to 6 hours in these cramped cabins are torture. Miss 767

Single aisle trans-ocean and trans-con of 6+ hours is just painful in Economy.

Bizarre livery, impressive fleet. 🏆🎖✨💖

It might be time for American to buy Alaskan (and Hawaiin).

the subtitles are scuffed

AA's aging fleet of A319-100 & A320-200 needs to be retired asap . . . alongwith some of the oldest A321-200 . . . AA's B777-200 ER wide bodies can be replaced with additional B777-300 ER & B787-8 . . .

4:03 no one notised

✈️

The subtitles don't match the video 😂

I can see an A350 order in the future from American. The -900 and -1000 easily replace the -200ER and -300ER by capacity and range. I do want to know how the A320 replacement will play out: they could easily replace them all with the MAX 8, but still retain the original A320 pilot bases.

Where did all the 747-400 go

Can we get the same for Aeroflot

And they just raised bag fees.

No 777x orders? Why

Delta has a lot of its huge fleet made up of Airbus aircraft, and does AA, United is following suit with acquiring Airbus aircraft as well. Boeing has always relied on done-deal sales to USA carriers, but it seems that rather than being persuaded to buy Boeing, the carriers are buying the best - which these days means Airbus.....

American has more planes than I have brain cells

According to Planespotters American Airlines operates a fleet of 967 aircraft Delta Air Lines operates a fleet of 979 aircraft United Airlines operates a fleet of 948 aircraft According to aviationsourcenews American will have 15 new aircraft delivered in 2024 Delta Airlines deliveries delayed until 2024(?) United will have 127 new aircraft delivered in 2024 Numbers at the end of 2024 American 982 Delta 979 United 1075

👍👍👍👍👍

Please American for the love of God ditch the EMB145! You can't fly them forever surely!?

How they are the worst run and poorest in America lol they have more debt than 3 USA carriers combined.

first comment

American Airlines

I did not like the 757 and the 767. RIP.

Worst airline ever, had a drunk pilot and had crew cover for him. Over an hour late sobering up - never again

Forgot to mention the E-190’s.

Even if boeing jets were exploding due to poor design, american and united would still order them by the hundreds.

Take away the aircraft that AA use for domestic routes, AA can’t compete with other airlines that operate purely international fleets.

American needs more wide bodies and needs to be more aggressive expanding routes from their hubs outside of London.

After watching this video, I feel like I just watched a commercial for the 787 Nightmare Liner. Two thumbs down to Simple Flying.

DELTA JETBLUE AMERICAN UNITED SOUTHWEST 👇agree