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American Airlines’ oldest aircraft

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American Airlines (AA/AAL) is one of the world’s largest and most iconic carriers, with a history dating back to 1930. Today, American Airlines boasts a vast fleet consisting of a diverse range of Boeing, Airbus and Embraer types. Whilst the operator has a diverse fleet of modern aircraft, it also retains some older jets in active service. Let’s take a look at the oldest aircraft in the American Airlines fleet. As we’re interested in the most senior aircraft, we will only look at aircraft over 10 years old. 

Aircraft typeRegistrationAge
A320-214N102UW 25 years
A319-112N700UW25 years
777-223ER N770AN24 years
ERJ 145LRN625AE24 years
737-800N901AN24 years
CRJ 200LRN433AW24 years
CRJ 701ERN707SK24 years
A321-211N161UW22 years
E170 SEN774JG20 years
E175 LRN101HQ16 years
777-323ERN717AN11 years

Which is the oldest American Airlines aircraft?

The oldest aircraft in the American Airlines fleet is N102UW, a 25 year old Airbus A320-214 built in June 1998. This workhorse frequently flies up to 8 flights per day, and is most commonly used on the US domestic route network on sectors of under 2 hours flight time. N102UW originally flew for US Airways, and was incorporated into the American fleet following their merging of the carriers in 2013.

N102UW is the oldest aircraft in the American Airlines fleet, and is seen here flying with its original US Airways livery at LAX in 2004.

 

Closely following N102UW is another Airbus narrowbody N700UW, a 25 year old Airbus A319 also originally delivered to US Airways in September 1998. As of late 2023, the aircraft appears to be based in Charlotte (CLT), and makes regular trips to destinations including Columbus (CMH), Sarasota (SRQ), Asheville (AVL), and Louisville (SDF). Whilst primarily used for domestic sectors, N700UW also makes the occasional trip to Bermuda (BDA)

American Airlines’ second oldest airframe, N700UW is seen landing at Miami Airport in 2021.

What is American Airlines’ oldest widebody aircraft?

American Airlines’ oldest widebody aircraft is N770AN, A Boeing 777-223ER built in December 1998. The aircraft frequently operates transatlantic sectors from US airports including Los Angeles (LAX), Dallas (DAL) and Charlotte (CLT) to destinations including London Heathrow (LHR), São Paulo (GRU) and Athens (ATH). American Airlines’ second oldest widebody is a N717AN, a Boeing 777-323ER built in October 2012.

N770AN wearing the gleaming American Airlines chrome livery, departing Los Angeles in 2003.

What is American’s oldest regional jet?

American Airlines’ oldest regional jet is N625AE, an Embraer ERJ-145LR built in January 1999. The aircraft is one of 65 of this type operated by subsidiaries on behalf of American, in this case Piedmont Airlines (PT/PDT). The aircraft was delivered wearing the original livery of American Eagle

American Airlines’ oldest regional jet N625AE landing at Toronto in 2020.

 

Have you flown on any of American Airlines’ oldest jets? Let us know in the comments below. 

 

Cover photo: Kevin Cargo, JetPhotos

Join the conversation

17 Responses

  1. Flight to Chicago 1991 under the Gulfwar.
    We flight with the smallest Boeing for that long flight from Sweden to Chicago Boeing 757.

  2. N700UW on the Charlotte to Bermuda flight. Could tell it was an older plane but the flight was good.

  3. Interesting how AA’s B727, easily 20-25 years old, which flies in and out of PWM regularly.

  4. Regarding AA’s oldest planes, while this was interesting the article indicated that AA flew the Boeing 777 out of DAL. Believe you meant DFW

  5. I recently flew PSP-PHX on one of the CRJ-200s, as well as an A320 that was rode hard and put away wet. Worn out and broken interior bits gave me pause, but I guess it was better mechanically and structurally than cosmetically, as here I am! As Executive Platinum this sure doesn’t fill me with confidence. But then I’ve flown transcon on United in planes that had large sections of paint peeling off the fuselage! Where’s the pride?

  6. Not an American aircraft but Northwest (Mesaba) at the time. Flew a Fairchild Swearingen Metroliner, tail number N422MA, in July 1992. It was also the smallest commercial aircraft I have ever flown.

    I was so fascinated by this small plane that I took a photo of it, which I just found recently in a box. This was long before I started recorded tail numbers on my flights. Imagine my surprise when I discovered that this plane is still flying! It had actually flown the same day I looked it up, 37 years after it was built.

  7. Minor correction: AA does not fly to Dallas Love Field (DAL), but their largest hub is at Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW).

  8. The second-oldest widebody in AA’s fleet would be N771AN, delivered days after N770AN. The second-oldest widebody *type* is the 777-300 (N717AN being the oldest among them).

  9. In July/August 2005 I flew in a wide-bodied AA Boeing from Dublin to Chicago.
    I’ve no record of the flight or plane and would like to know if it would that have been a 767 or 777.
    Any idea anyone?

  10. I transitioned to the A320 series in early 99′ and flew as Captain on both ship 700 and 102 when they were new. I always liked the US Airways livery that Stephen Wolf brought in. Glad to see some old friends still out there earning a living and staying out of the desert.

  11. Not sure whether elderly A/C or young pilots are the biggest hazard in flying these days.
    Back in the day pilots went through a battery of psychological testing, what happened?
    After 36 years as A/C mech I’ll take the older plane anytime.

  12. I’ve flown on the((319/320/321)no problems.SFO to Charlotte to ILM over the years.Very happy to get the 319 from Charlotte to Wilmington NC.

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