The fanfare was loud and generated the desired attention, but now that the euphoria has subsided it is apparent that AMR Group's deals with Airbus and Boeing to overhaul American Airlines' narrowbody fleet are more wishful thinking than concrete achievement. For one thing, there is no firm order for 460 aircraft. Under American's labor contracts—notably its agreement with the Allied Pilots Association—the carrier cannot add a new aircraft type, even a different variant, until a pay scale has been negotiated. From this perspective, American only has the authority for the 100 leased Boeing 737-800s it plans to add from 2013-17, while the remaining deals for both current model and new-engine-option Airbus narrowbodies— never mind the nonexistent re-engined 737—must now go through the rigors of emolovee aDDroval.
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