American Airlines is expected to announce Wednesday a major order of new planes that could put pressure on other airlines to upgrade their fleets.
American, whose fleet of more than 600 planes averages about 15 years in age, is weighing competing bids from its longtime supplier, Boeing Co., and from Europe's Airbus.
A person familiar with the matter said the final order would likely include planes from both aircraft makers. The board of American parent AMR Corp. was meeting Tuesday night, and last-minute negotiations could still affect American's decision.
The Fort Worth-based airline could order 400 planes, according to published reports. Officials for American and Boeing declined to comment.
Copyright AP - Associated Press
