American launches next fleet renewal phase with Max

American Airlines launched the next phase of its fleet renewal programme with the introduction of the Boeing 737 Max today. The carrier debuted the aircraft on the Miami-New York LaGuardia route with the 737-8 beginning its day with a 07:00 departure to New York and then operating the return leg to Miami at 11:00. Pilots Steve Efken and Monica Svensson, who flew the aircraft on both flights, told FlightGlobal while on the ground at LaGuardia that the aircraft handled well and was quieter than the 737-800. They added that the cockpit displays were comparable to those on the Boeing 787 rather than the 737 NGs. American configures its 737-8s with 172 seats, 16 in first class and 156 in economy, including 30 extra-legroom economy seats. This is 12 more seats than on its 737-800s, which will be reconfigured to match the density of the Max over the next few years. The mainline carrier is the second US airline to debut the 737 Max, following launch customer Southwest’s introduction of the type on 1 October. American is basing its first 737-8s at its Miami International airport hub. It plans to place the aircraft on routes served by Airbus A319s and Boeing 757-200s.<br/>