Originally Posted by aa73
The 737s will replace most of the S80s... but I believe AMR wants to diversify its fleets a little more in case the whole Boeing line ever gets shut down for some reason.
Its 2011 - that doesn't make any sense from a globalization standpoint.
Europe is FAR more likely to see labor disruptions that would "shut down the line" than the US at this point. Besides, Boeing just announced a second 737 line where they can produce something like 50 737s a year...so getting airplanes isn't a problem. If anything, being tail-end charlie on a bunch of NEO orders would put fleet replacement further back.
AA is using Airbus to whipsaw Boeing into announcing a new 737 re-engine/replacement aircraft - just like SWA is with talk about the C-Series. Nothing more, nothing less.
I don't think Boeing has gotten complacent in the narrowbody market, but rather is trying to get their hands on the 787 outsourcing disaster and remedy it completely before throwing billions into developing a replacement for their biggest selling aircraft.