American Airlines announced that all future deliveries of its Airbus A321neo narrow‑body jets will be powered by CFM International’s LEAP‑1A engines. The decision, made on February 19, 2026, follows the airline’s long‑standing partnership with CFM and its use of LEAP‑1B engines on the Boeing 737 MAX fleet.
The LEAP‑1A delivers roughly 15% better fuel efficiency and 15% lower carbon emissions compared with the older CFM56 engines that previously powered the A321neo. The improved fuel burn translates into significant operating‑cost savings for the airline, while the lower emissions support American’s sustainability commitments.
American currently operates 84 A321neos and five A321XLRs, with an additional 120 A321neos and 35 A321XLRs on order through 2032. All of these aircraft will be equipped with LEAP‑1A engines, and the airline also has options for 116 additional A320 family aircraft that would receive the same engine family if exercised.
By standardizing on a single engine family for its A321neo deliveries, American aims to streamline maintenance, training, and parts inventory. The commonality is expected to reduce spare‑parts inventory costs, simplify pilot and maintenance‑crew training, and lower overall maintenance expenditures, thereby improving the reliability and economics of its narrow‑body fleet.
The engine choice also strengthens American’s environmental profile. The LEAP‑1A’s advanced composite fan blades and ceramic matrix composites reduce fuel burn and emissions, helping the airline meet growing regulatory and customer expectations for lower‑carbon operations.
American CEO Robert Isom said, “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. 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 decision also supports American’s strategy to expand its long‑range narrow‑body network. The A321XLR, powered by the LEAP‑1A, can serve destinations up to 4,700 nautical miles, enabling the airline to launch new routes to secondary cities and improve connectivity on its international network.
The move comes amid competition from Pratt & Whitney’s PW1000G (GTF) engine, which powers many other A320neo operators. American’s continued use of CFM LEAP engines reflects its preference for the proven performance, commonality, and long‑term maintenance agreements that have characterized its relationship with CFM.
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