American Airlines Begins Cockpit Display Retrofits On Over 170 Airbus A320 Family Aircraft

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Summary

  • American Airlines is retrofitting the cockpits on some Airbus planes with modern liquid crystal displays.
  • The updates show the airline’s commitment to safety and innovation.
  • The airline has over 160 Airbus aircraft that are over 20 years old.

American Airlines recently started retrofitting the cockpits on some of its Airbus aircraft. The Fort Worth, Texas-based airline said the upgrades enhance the safety of its pilots and reduce the planes’ weight.

It comes after the carrier announced last month that it would update the interior of its A319 and A320s. The development is yet another indicator that the airline does not have plans to retire some examples of the aging plane types, which have a combined average age of more than 40 years.

“A crisper view”

In an internal memo obtained by Simple Flying in late March, American shared that the first of 171 aircraft received “a major upgrade.” The cockpit overhaul, conducted on an A319 originally ordered by America West Airlines, introduced new liquid crystal displays (LCDs) seen on modern commercial aircraft. The aircraft, registered as N836AW, is 18 years old, according to ch-aviation. American said the new displays will provide pilots in the flight deck “with a crisper view of their flight instruments, which enhances safety.”

American Airlines Airbus A319 (N836AW) flight deck.

Photo: American Airlines

The US legacy carrier also explained how the retrofits will result in saving fuel.

“The new display system weighs nearly 100 lbs. less than the legacy cathode ray tube (CRT) displays they replace, bringing American aggregate fuel savings.”

While many newer aircraft are built with modern displays, American is reportedly the first airline to convert the CRT displays to LCDs on Airbus aircraft, which it says underscores its “commitment to safety and innovation.”

Analyzing AA’s Airbuses

According to ch-aviation, the airline has a total of 133 A319s with an average age of 20.1 years and 48 A320s with an average age of 23 years. Its A321 fleet of 218 aircraft is much younger, with an average age of 11.7 years.

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With the exception of a sub-fleet of 32 aircraft, the carrier’s A319 fleet is mainly comprised of aircraft that formerly operated for airlines prior to subsequent mergers that formed the airline into what it is known as today. The plane’s respective tail numbers indicate their past lives as registrations ending with “AW” began service with America West, while the numbers ending with “US” or “UW” are aircraft that US Airways ordered. Many of these aircraft were delivered to the two carriers in the late 1990s. In fact, more than 80 examples are over 20 years old. The America West jets officially joined the US Airways aircraft in 2007 when the airlines merged. US Airways combined with American in 2013.

US Airways Airbus A319-132 (N829AW) landing at San Diego International Airport.

Photo: Ryan Fletcher | Shutterstock

More recently, American acquired additional A319s that were once operated by Frontier Airlines. Cleverly, the airline reregistered the aircraft with tail numbers ending with “XF.” Six ex-Frontier planes are also 20 years or older.

The airline’s A320 fleet is a bit more simplified. 22 aircraft are legacy US Airways planes with “UW” registrations, and 26 are legacy America West jets bearing “AW” tail numbers. Remarkably, 40 planes are aged two decades or above. The oldest aircraft is 26 years old, while the youngest is only 14 years old.

Over 160 aircraft are 20 years or older

With a target of 171 aircraft, American is undoubtedly aiming to retrofit its oldest Airbus planes. Fleet data shows that 168 A320 family aircraft in the airline’s fleet are in their twenties: 98 A319s, 40 A320s, and 28 A321s.

“These conversions of more aircraft will run for the next few years,” the airline explained. “Thanks to our team members across Tech Ops, Flight and Safety who worked tirelessly to bring this project to fruition.”

American Airlines Airbus aircraft at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock

Simultaneously, American will also work on upgrading the interior of its A319s and A320s. Last month, the carrier announced that it would install more first class seats on the planes.

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