FLEET - American Airlines chooses CFM International engines to power future deliveries of Airbus A321neos

• American and CFM are building on a multidecade relationship that supports American’s narrowbody fleet.

• The engine order will power the Airbus A321neo aircraft ordered by American in March 2024.
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• CFM will continue to provide long-term maintenance for American’s CFM LEAP-1A engines, providing predictable and cost-effective servicing over the life of the engines.

FORT WORTH, Texas — American Airlines today announced that its future deliveries of Airbus A321neos will continue to be powered by the CFM LEAP-1A engine from CFM International, a joint venture between GE Aerospace and Safran Aircraft Engines. These engines will be installed on the Airbus A321neos that American ordered two years ago. As part of the expanded partnership, CFM International will continue to provide long-term maintenance for American’s CFM LEAP-1A engines for years to come.

“American is proud to operate more CFM/GE Aerospace-powered mainline and regional aircraft than any other airline in the world, and American’s aircraft have flown with GE Aerospace technology for almost a century,” said American’s CEO Robert Isom. “We are excited that CFM LEAP engines will power our next phase of A321neo deliveries, maximizing the power of our fleet investments to deliver the best network to our customers utilizing the best-performing engine in the business.”

The financial terms and conditions of the CFM LEAP-1A engines purchase and long-term maintenance agreement have not been disclosed.

“We are proud to be under wing powering American’s modernized fleet, and appreciate their continued trust,” said H. Lawrence Culp, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer at GE Aerospace. “We are committed to delivering best-in-class LEAP engines to support the growth of American’s network as they serve more destinations for their customers.”

American has the youngest fleet of the legacy U.S. carriers, with 84 A321neos and five A321XLRs in its fleet, with an additional 120 A321neos and 35 A321XLRs on order through 2032, all to be powered by CFM LEAP-1A engines. American also has options to purchase 116 additional A320 family aircraft from Airbus which, if exercised, will also be outfitted with the CFM LEAP-1A engine.

The airline recently debuted the A321XLR, elevating transcontinental travel. As the only U.S.-based airline to operate the aircraft, American offers customers luxurious Flagship Suite® seats, relaxing Premium Economy seats and a reimagined Main Cabin, all featuring high-speed Wi-Fi and complimentary seatback entertainment with Bluetooth connectivity throughout the journey.

American first selected the CFM LEAP-1B engine in 2011 when it announced its purchase of 100 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The airline currently has 93 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft in operation with an additional 125 on order. The relationship expanded three years later when American chose the LEAP-1A engine for its order of A321neos.


CFM LEAP engines have experienced the fastest ramp-up in commercial aviation history. Advanced technologies like composite fan blades and ceramic matrix composites deliver an engine that is 15% more fuel efficient, with 15% lower carbon emissions than prior-generation CFM56 engines. Backed by advanced health monitoring systems and an open MRO ecosystem, CFM LEAP engines offer mature reliability and enable high asset utilization for narrowbody aircraft.