American Airlines has made headlines with its decision not to operate the Airbus A350, a choice that has raised eyebrows and sparked discussion in the aviation industry. Former Chief Commercial Officer Vasu Raja played a key role in this decision. Raja’s candid comments to Airbus management, comparing their offer of the A350 to “a great lawn mower” given away for free, highlighted American Airlines’ lack of interest in the aircraft due to strategic considerations.
Raja’s remarks reportedly surprised many at Airbus, especially since American Airlines was set to benefit from a favorable deal on their A350 order. This order originated from US Airways before its merger with American Airlines in 2013. However, the airline’s current focus on simplifying its fleet by relying heavily on Boeing 787 Dreamliners has limited its interest in adopting another widebody type.
Doug Parker, former chairman and CEO of American Airlines, had previously praised the A350 for fitting into the airline’s growth plans. He noted that both parts of their heritage included Airbus fleets and expressed confidence in the brand. Despite these earlier affirmations, Raja’s stance marked a departure from those sentiments.
American Airlines’ long-haul fleet currently consists entirely of Boeing aircraft, including 777-200ERs, 777-300ERs, 787-8s, and 787-9s. Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines remains the only major U.S. carrier operating the Airbus A350 with plans to expand further with additional orders.
United Airlines also holds an order for Airbus A350s but has delayed deliveries while facing challenges related to Russian airspace restrictions affecting some routes operated by its Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
The decision by American Airlines not to proceed with the A350 could impact future long-haul operations as aging aircraft need replacement and competition intensifies among U.S. airlines seeking efficient new-generation widebodies.
