American Airlines Crew Training Across the Atlantic
Recently, American Airlines has been conducting flights across the North Atlantic Ocean using an Airbus A321neo. Unlike its future plans with the Airbus A321XLR, these flights involve a domestic A321neo, which is not typically suited for long-haul passenger travel. However, these flights between Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and Edinburgh (EDI) have been operating empty as part of a crew training exercise.
Uncommon U.S. Aircraft at Edinburgh Airport
Scottish airports have encountered several unique American visitors recently. In July, Glasgow Prestwick Airport (PIK) welcomed USAF Boeing C-17 Globemaster III military transport planes. Last month, a C-32 Boeing 757-200, known as ‘Air Force Two,’ transported U.S. Vice President JD Vance from RAF Fairford to Prestwick for a holiday.
Currently, American Airlines is operating 20 round trips between Philadelphia and Edinburgh using a domestic Airbus A321neo registered as N471AN. As explained by American Airlines Supervisor Paulina Wykurz on LinkedIn, these special charter flights aim to complete certified training for pilots on the aircraft type.
Details from Flight Operations
According to Flightradar24, the A321neo N471AN began these operations on August 4, departing Philadelphia at 21:26, 46 minutes behind schedule, and arriving in Edinburgh at 08:30 local time. Eastbound flights are logged as AA9805, while westbound flights are AA9806, departing Edinburgh at 09:30 and arriving in Philadelphia at 12:00. These flights do not transport passengers but are used to certify check airmen who will later qualify other pilots.
Long-term plans suggest these exercises are linked to establishing an Airbus A321XLR base at New York JFK Airport, involving at least 40 pilots to handle transatlantic routes with the new aircraft.
American Airlines’ Standard Operations to Edinburgh
American Airlines also operates regular, non-stop flights between Philadelphia and Edinburgh using Boeing 787s. Table below outlines flight operations with Boeing 787 variants:
| Aircraft Type | Round Trips |
|---|---|
| Boeing 787-8 | 107 |
| Boeing 787-9 | 28 |
The 787-8s operate almost four times as many flights as the 787-9s. Scheduled flights resumed in May with daily transatlantic operations and additional capacity in August and early September. This year marks a milestone for Edinburgh, offering over a million seats on transatlantic flights.
According to Cirium, American Airlines’ Boeing 787 flights (AA278/AA279) showcase the efficiency of the airline’s operations, with meticulously planned scheduling for eastbound and westbound transatlantic journeys.
About American Airlines
- IATA Code: AA
- ICAO Code: AAL
- Full-Service Carrier
- Hubs include: Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York JFK, LaGuardia, Philadelphia, Phoenix
- Founded: 1926
- Alliance: oneworld
- CEO: Robert Isom
- Loyalty Program: AAdvantage
