American Airlines Raises $1.14 Billion to Fund Fleet

Image: American Airlines planes lined up at their gates. (Photo Credit: American Airlines Media)

by Patrick Clarke
Last updated: 10:25 AM ET, Sat May 9, 2026

American Airlines is raising a combined $1.14 billion through the sale of aircraft-backed securities to fund new aircraft and refinance existing planes, based on recent securities filings.

According to Reuters, American ⁠plans to use the proceeds raised from the two debt securities to fund at least 17 new planes and refinance loans for another 15 existing aircraft.

The Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier has also slashed its Airbus A321XLR order from 50 to 40 planes.

American's latest move comes as some airlines are cutting capacity due to soaring jet fuel prices that are outpacing demand growth due to the Iran war.

"Even in a volatile operating environment, we still anticipate modest profitability for the year assuming the current forward fuel curve," American CEO Robert Isom said in a statement accompanying the airline's first quarter 2026 earnings report.

The enhanced equipment trust ⁠certificates allow companies lacking investment-grade credit ratings to borrow from investment-grade markets, Reuters points out.

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Patrick Clarke

Senior Editor

A Maryland native and wanderer who has lived across the U.S. from North Carolina to SoCal, Patrick Clarke graduated from Towson University with a B.S. in journalism. He previously worked for Bleacher