Newsstand - American Airlines Orders Up To 100 Boeing 787-9's

http://www.aa.com/content/amrcorp/pressReleases/2008_10/15_3q08.jhtml

42 firm, 58 purchase rights (http://www.fleetbuzzeditorial.com/2008/10/15/american787/).

Here's a more focused release from AA: http://www.aa.com/content/amrcorp/pressReleases/2008_10/15_787.jhtml

I'm intrigued by the fact that they seem to have found so many delivery slots so soon. Even accounting for the inevitable delay that will come thanks to the strike, they seem to have found a way to get in on the list with some priority. There were reports that 2017ish was the earliest slots were available. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=863845&

Were there other cancellations that freed up slots??

And isn't the -900 series supposed to start making deliveries ~18 months after then -800s? I think that the timing listed here is a bit unrealistic.

I thought AA had some type of long term agreement with Boeing that gave them priority. They're getting 737-800's next year that were just ordered in the spring of last year.

Also being discussed on the AA forum:
AA Orders 42 787's (http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/showthread.php?t=876314)

I'm intrigued by the fact that they seem to have found so many delivery slots so soon.

Given the current market conditions many more slots will likely be available "soon" especially if first delivery slips into 2010 as some analysts are suggesting.

I'm intrigued by the fact that they seem to have found so many delivery slots so soon. Even accounting for the inevitable delay that will come thanks to the strike, they seem to have found a way to get in on the list with some priority. There were reports that 2017ish was the earliest slots were available.

As per normal course of action, Boeing will have held key slots for customers like AA well in advance. Any new carrier buying now would have a long wait (like Biman, whose 787's arrive in 2017/18) - Boeing wouldnt want a big key customer like AA waiting that long.


Were there other cancellations that freed up slots??

Nope...(See above :) )



And isn't the -900 series supposed to start making deliveries ~18 months after then -800s? I think that the timing listed here is a bit unrealistic.

In the last delay announced April - the 787-9 EIS was slated as "early 2012" - vague, but AA deliveries start Sept 2012.

Air New Zealand gets the first 787-9 in 2012 although due to the strike, its not known exactly when in 2012 that'll occur!