Boeing 787 delivery delays force long-haul network cuts at American Airlines

American Airlines is another airline currently experiencing challenges caused by delays in the delivery of Boeing 787 Dreamliner widebodies.

As a result, the Dallas Fort Worth-based carrier has been forced to reduce the frequency of some of its long-haul flights and adjust its long-haul international route network for the upcoming spring season, according to a report by The Points Guy.

The news comes days after IAG-owned British Airways confirmed removing summer flights connecting London Heathrow (LHR) and Abu Dhabi (AUH) amid Boeing 787 Dreamliner engine delivery issues.

According to the report, American Airlines has had to make significant adjustments to its long-haul international route network for the spring of 2025.

The airline will temporarily suspend service between Miami International Airport (MIA) and Paris Charles de Gaulle International Airport (CDG) in May 2025.

In addition, the carrier will delay the resumption of the Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Paris (CDG) route.

American Airlines plans to decrease the number of daily flights between Miami (MIA) and Buenos Aires Airport (EZE) from three to two flight frequencies in April 2025. My has asked American Airlines for comment.

American Airlines has been flying its 787s for almost a decade. The first delivery of a 787 to American Airlines took place on January 23, 2015.

During its inaugural flight, the Dreamliner flew between Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD).

Presently, American Airlines has a hefty fleet of Boeing 787 Dreamliners. The fleet includes 37 Boeing 787-8s and 22 Boeing 787-9 widebodies standing at an average age of 6.6 years, according to ch-aviation data. The airline is currently awaiting 30 787-9s.

American Airlines' 787-8s can accommodate a total of 234 passengers in a four-class cabin layout: 20 in business class, 28 in premium economy, 48 in economy plus, and 138 in economy class.

Meanwhile, the carrier's larger capacity, 787-9s, can seat up to 285 people, once again, in a four-class cabin configuration: 30 in business class, 21 in premium economy, 36 in economy plus, and 198 in economy class.

According to data from the aviation analytics company Cirium, some of the longest routes flown by American Airlines with the 787 are:

• Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to Auckland Airport (AKL) (a seasonal flight that ended this March)
• DFW to Shanghai Pudong International Airport (SVG) (the longest route in April)
• DFW to Seoul (ICN).
• Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to Hamad International Airport (DOH)

American Airlines is not the sole carrier experiencing route network adjustments due to 787 delivery delays.

In a recent announcement, British Airways said it would cut its summer flights between London Heathrow Airport (LHR) and Abu Dhabi Zayed International Airport (AUH).

British Airways scrapped the flights between LHR and Abu Dhabi due to delays in Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines and its part deliveries.

In a statement to my, the airline confirmed the disruption. Commenting on the news, a British Airways spokesperson said:

"We're disappointed that we've had to make further changes to our schedule as we continue to experience delays to the delivery of engines and parts from Rolls-Royce – particularly concerning the Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 engines fitted to our 787 aircraft."

The industry has been facing supply chain issues over the past few years, primarily due to increased air travel demand and raw material shortages caused by geopolitical tensions (for example, Russia's invasion of Ukraine has impacted titanium supplies).

In a comment to my, a Rolls-Royce spokesperson reiterated that the delays are caused by supply chain issues:

"This is due to the current challenging industry wide supply chain constraints. We continue to work with all our customers to minimise the impact of the limited availability of spares parts. All of the companies in our industry are suffering from this."