The same was true with the 737-MAX with CFM International LEAP-1B engines with 68.1 in (173 cm) fan diameter; customers had requested such an aircraft for some time, and it was apparently AA who pushed them to announce the MAX - but it is entirely a paper airplane, and the A320 NEO has been under development for long enough to result in 1,029 aircraft ordered (including AA).
The 737MAX-823 may fly in 2017 at its earliest? The A320NEO with CFM International LEAP-X or the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engines will probably be out a year earlier - but as you indicate, AA chose wisely, IMO also, to split the order given Boeing's 787 is quite late and the 787-9 has not even performed one test flight as yet. The 787-923 is yet some time away.
(And the relative commonality of the CFM engine products on 737MAX-823 and A320NE) will be useful for AA maintenance and spares stocking, probably.)
Originally Posted by
MauiTigerShark
I'm just a casual observer so didn't know much about the original delivery schedule or the fact that they haven't even built a 787-9 yet....but this does beg the question....why were so many people surprised and/or angry that AA chose to give a large part of it's recent order to Airbus? Until Boeing get this somewhat dismal performance issue sorted out and behind them surely every airline will think twice before going anywhere near them with an order for new planes.