American Airlines will further simplify its fleet by returning 19 non-standard 757-200s, previously part of the TWA fleet, to their lessors between January 2007 and March 2008. Returning the former TWA 757s at the end of the natural lease terms is a smart business decision that will save money, simplify operations, and improve efficiency as American continues to forge a different path to return to and sustain profitability.
This decision simplifies American's 757 fleet by eliminating a second cabin configuration lacking important customer amenities such as new seats, oversized overhead bins, in-flight entertainment, and powerports.
The decision to return these aircraft also reduces AA's lease costs by approximately $50 million per year and removes an aircraft with less competitive cabin amenities, therefore avoiding costly interior upgrades required to match remaining 757s. Schedule plans for 2007 are still being developed.