American Airlines retires Boeing 757-200 amid fleet simplification efforts

Historically, American Airlines operated a large fleet of 757-200s, with a total of 177 airframes introduced in 1989. The airline was one of seven carriers that ordered the aircraft before it received certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Over time, however, the importance of the 757-200 in American's fleet diminished.

While American Airlines has retired its 757-200s, other carriers like Delta Air Lines and United Airlines continue to operate sizable fleets of these jets. Delta uses them for flights requiring more capacity than smaller narrowbody jets but less than widebody jets can provide. United still operates a number of 757-200s but has retired its "legacy" models due to high maintenance costs associated with managing different engine types.

To replace its retired 757-200s, American Airlines is investing in new narrowbodies such as the Airbus A321neo, Airbus A321XLR, and Boeing 737 MAX models. The airline hopes these modern aircraft will enhance performance and reduce seat-mile costs despite potential delays from manufacturers like Boeing.