I heard a rumor AA might recall late summer/early fall. Any word on the street about this rumor? Any numbers on the amount of retirements coming August 1st?

 

I heard it too, but it was from some guy on an online forum.

 

Haven't heard it, but IMO it seems possible. Capacity was down in Q1 and Q2 but will be up significantly in Q3 and slightly in Q4 for a slight yearly capcity increase (see below, from the earnings press last week). I don't think they are increasing seats that much w/o increasing flying, so some additional crews would seem to be needed. Here's hoping...


Guidance

AMR expects its full-year mainline capacity to increase by 0.9 percent in 2010 compared to 2009. On a consolidated basis, AMR expects full-year capacity to increase by 1.2 percent in 2010 compared to 2009.

The Company’s 2010 capacity levels include the reinstatement of flying that was canceled in 2009 due to the H1N1 virus and the launch of Chicago-Beijing service, which was deferred from 2009.

AMR expects mainline capacity in the third quarter of 2010 to increase by 3.0 percent compared to the third quarter of 2009. AMR expects consolidated capacity in the third quarter of 2010 to increase by 3.4 percent compared to the third quarter of 2009.

 

How many international flights are they adding in the next 6 months? I don't see how they can staff the airline with the long haul increase, plus the early retirements thrown into the mix.

 

Well at least some of them are just swaps, one city pair for another, which could cover some (all?) of the increased ASMs. They just applied for 3 new freqs to Brazil that DAL's giving up, not sure if those would be additions or replacements.

 

Well, most of that is typical AMR shell game - announce new city service, pull out of existing city pair (BOS-SFO), reallocate the airplanes and crews.

Also, for every 737 for MD80 replacement, it's a 14% capacity increase (160 seats vs. 140) with the same crew ratio.

Retirements are also lagging the company's forecast -- the big exodus everyone is hoping for hasn't happened and probably won't until December, 2012.

 

Don't forget the multiple removals due to both pilots being over 60....

 

I heard for each 2 737's coming in. 3 MD80's are parked, so it is actually a reduction in seats and crews.

 

I guess that means there is no truth to the rumor they will be bringing 80's out of the desert when they start the engine mods?

 

They are axing 800 F/As..What capacity increase.?