16 Oct 2025
#3 October 2025: North American Aviation Newsletter
American’s Airbus Pilots Get Ready to Take the XLR Over the North Atlantic
American Airlines conducted 42 roundtrip flights between Philadelphia (PHL) and Edinburgh (EDI) in September using the Airbus A321neo — a rare deployment of the type on transatlantic routes. The operations, spanning 4–25 September, formed part of a pilot training initiative to prepare A320-family crews for the upcoming introduction of the Airbus A321XLR in 2026. With its 4,700 nm range, the XLR will allow American to expand its Atlantic network more flexibly, serving thinner long-haul markets with narrowbody economics. These test flights, overseen by FAA inspectors and American’s A320 training team, will soon transition into formal North Atlantic qualification programmes for line pilots.
AVi8 Air Capital Completes Business Case Review for Pan Am Relaunch
AVi8 Air Capital has finalised its business plan evaluating the relaunch of Pan American World Airways as a scheduled U.S. commercial carrier. The review, developed in partnership with Pan Am® Brands (Pan American Global Holdings), forms part of a broader certification effort under FAA and U.S. DOT oversight. The project aims to reintroduce Pan Am as a U.S. Part 121 scheduled airline headquartered in Miami, operating Airbus aircraft subject to regulatory approval. Backed by a seasoned management team, strong vendor support, and lessor interest, the initiative represents one of the most ambitious heritage-brand revivals in modern U.S. aviation.
Azorra Sells Two Boeing 777-300ERs to FPG Amentum
Azorra has sold two Boeing 777-300ER aircraft (MSN 61730 and 61731), both leased to Philippine Airlines, to FPG Amentum. The transaction highlights Azorra’s ability to execute widebody asset trades alongside its established regional and narrowbody portfolio focus. According to Azorra VP – Commercial Eliane Cotran, the sale demonstrates the company’s flexibility in managing cross-platform transactions and redeploying capital toward higher-growth opportunities.
Delta Air Lines Announces September Quarter 2025 Financial Results
Delta Air Lines reported strong September quarter results, achieving performance at the upper end of expectations. CEO Ed Bastian credited solid execution, operational reliability, and an improved demand environment for sustaining profitability and customer experience gains. Delta also issued positive guidance for the December quarter and full-year 2025, reinforcing its position as the most consistently profitable U.S. network carrier.
Acumen’s Take
On American’s A321XLR Training
American’s pilot training initiative marks a major operational milestone ahead of the A321XLR’s transatlantic entry. Narrowbody long-haul operations promise significant cost advantages, enabling American to serve secondary European markets efficiently. This aligns with broader U.S. carrier trends toward right-sizing capacity while maintaining network breadth.
On the Pan Am Relaunch Plan
The Pan Am revival reflects renewed investor appetite for legacy brands with strong nostalgic value. AVi8’s structured approach and FAA engagement lend credibility, but success will hinge on securing funding, fleet access, and sustainable market differentiation in an already saturated U.S. airline landscape.
On Azorra’s 777 Sale
Azorra’s sale of two Boeing 777-300ERs underlines its strategic agility in the trading and leasing segment. Transactions like this allow the company to balance its asset mix and strengthen liquidity while leveraging partnerships with major lessors such as FPG Amentum.
On Delta’s Financial Performance
Delta’s steady profitability reaffirms the carrier’s operational discipline and balanced revenue model. Its premium cabin performance and strong corporate travel recovery position it favourably among U.S. majors heading into 2026, with potential upside from international network optimisation.
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