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In the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, American Airlines made a decisive move to simplify its fleet by retiring five aircraft types in one day, including 25 Airbus A330s. This decision was largely financial, as the company sought to cut costs by focusing on an all-Boeing long-haul fleet.
Despite an initial $1.5 billion non-cash write-down across its mainline and regional aircraft, resulting in an estimated $500 million for the A330s, American Airlines did eventually see some financial gain from its decision. According to a spokesperson, "We retired our Airbus A330 fleet in 2020 as a result of the decline in demand for air travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022, we recorded a non-cash impairment charge to write down the carrying value of our retired Airbus A330 fleet to their then estimated fair value due to the market conditions for certain used aircraft, and in 2024, we entered into a sales agreement for our remaining Airbus A330 aircraft, resulting in a $42 million gain."
While the gain of over $40 million was realized, it came after signing off hundreds of millions in the aircraft's value. By the summer of 2022, the airline had reduced its international fleet by 76 aircraft, leaving 113 widebodies, with 787 orders delayed and still pending, complicating American's ability to meet surging demand for long-haul international flights.
