American Airlines has placed an order for 47 Boeing 787 Dreamliners, more than doubling its fleet. The airline also terminated its order with Airbus, originally placed by US Airways, for 22 A350s.

The deal is valued at more than $12 billion at list prices and makes American Airlines the largest 787 customer in the Western Hemisphere.

American originally ordered 42 787 Dreamliners. While the airline still has some of the planes from this initial order on the way, it is buying the additional Dreamliners – 22 787-8s and 25 787-9s – to further modernise and expand its fleet. The latest order is scheduled to begin delivery in 2023.

Airbus loses out

American Airlines President, Robert Isom, said: “This was a difficult decision between the Boeing 787 and the Airbus A350 and A330neo and we thank both manufacturers for their aggressive efforts to earn more of American’s business.”

He added: “In the end, our goal to simplify our fleet made the 787 a more compelling choice.”

“This new order is a powerful endorsement of the 787 family’s unique passenger appeal and unmatched ability to help airlines open new routes and grow profitably,” said Boeing Commercial Airplanes President and CEO Kevin McAllister.

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