US Big 3 global airlines' fleets: nuanced changes

The large three US global network airlines have solid order books and their fleet plans are largely firmed up for the foreseeable future. But there are shifts occurring as American, Delta and United make subtle adjustments in order to ensure their fleets are sized appropriately.

American has cancelled an order for Airbus widebodies and deferred deliveries of narrowbody jets, while ordering some replacement regional jets. Delta is in the process of replacing a portion of its mainline fleet with new build aircraft, even as it has historically been a big player in the used aircraft market. United has also ordered regional jets and additional widebodies, and is also actively looking for used aircraft.

All of these moves show that fleet management is a science; airlines are constantly reviewing their fleet plans and making nuanced changes to their aircraft portfolios in order to strike the right cost and revenue balance.