Originally published March 10, 2007 at 12:00 AM | Page modified March 10, 2007 at 2:01 AM

American eyes major Boeing deal

American Airlines will consider Boeing 737-800s to replace its fleet of 300 MD-80 jets and expects an announcement "in the near future,"...

By Bloomberg News

American Airlines will consider Boeing 737-800s to replace its fleet of 300 MD-80 jets and expects an announcement "in the near future," Chief Financial Officer Tom Horton said.

American, the world's largest carrier, would be able to get planes such as the 737-800 in 15 to 18 months, Horton told analysts at a conference hosted by the airline at its Fort Worth, Texas, headquarters.

An MD-80 replacement is vital because the jets burn at least 20 percent more jet fuel than new 737s, Horton said.

The airline also can't wait until next decade for a new generation of narrow-body planes before starting to retire the aging MD-80s, its most-numerous aircraft type, he said.

American already has 77 737-800s in its fleet of 672 large jets.

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