Originally Posted by
TWA Fan 1
The fact is that older planes require more fuel but, on the whole, are usually cheaper to operate than new planes if they are paid off, because the capital costs of acquiring new planes far exceeds the savings realized in fuel costs.
If that were true at current and forecasted fuel prices, AA would have little use for 800 aircraft on order/option.
There are people whose qualifications to analyze these decisions far exceed an internet connection and too much time on their hands.