American Airlines‘ (Dallas/Fort Worth) first Airbus A319 has been rolled out of the paint shop at the Airbus facility in Hamburg (Finkenwerder). The airline is expected to introduce the new type in September. AA has not been an Airbus operator since it retired the last Airbus A300-600 on August 26, 2009.

American will take delivery of the first of 130 Airbus A319 and Airbus A321 aircraft beginning in July 2013, with continued deliveries through 2017.

Features on the “new” American fleet (not including an US Airways aircraft types):

Top Copyright Photo: American Airlines. The pictured aircraft does not show any markings. It is believed to be Airbus A319-112 with the future marks of N8001N (msn 5678). The new aircraft also will be delivered with Sharklets. Ironically the new aircraft currently displays a small German flag on the top of the tail over the “American flag” design! While the aircraft is in testing it will wear a D- German aircraft registration.

Bottom Copyright Photo: Gerd Beilfuss/AirlinersGallery.com. A319-112 D-AVYQ (msn 5678) has started its testing phase. The new airliner will become N8001N when it is handed over later this month.

American Airlines: