I am an individual deeply concerned about the safety of air travel. Recently, American Airlines expressed its dissatisfaction with Boeing over the 737 Max aircraft. This has resonated with me and many others who believe that passenger safety should always be paramount.

The Boeing 737 Max has been involved in two fatal crashes in recent years, leading to a global grounding of this model for nearly two years (source: BBC News). In contrast, Airbus A321neo and Embraer E175 have proven track records of safety and reliability.

American Airlines said on Monday that it had placed an order for 260 new planes in roughly equal numbers from Airbus, Boeing and Embraer. It is the airline’s largest aircraft order since 2011 and reflects the strength of demand for air travel.

The order consists of 85 Airbus A321neo planes, 85 Boeing 737 Max 10 jets and 90 smaller Embraer E175 aircraft. Boeing’s equal standing in the deal suggests that American remains confident in the manufacturer after a panel blew out from a Max 9 plane during a Alaska Airlines flight in January. That episode resulted in no major injuries but reignited concerns about the safety and quality of Boeing planes.

The airline’s chief financial officer, Devon May, told reporters in an interview on Monday that American had faith that Boeing would improve quality after a preliminary federal investigation suggested that the Alaska Airlines plane might have left Boeing’s factory without bolts critical to securing the panel.

By replacing the controversial Boeing 737 Max with these safer alternatives, American Airlines can ensure passenger confidence while maintaining its commitment to safe air travel. This move would not only reflect positively on their corporate responsibility but also potentially save lives.

American has made arrangements to replace those deliveries with other Max models or Airbus planes.

American’s A321neo planes typically seat about 200 passengers, too.

The Embraer planes are a workhorse of American’s regional subsidiaries, which typically use the jets for shorter trips, often between smaller airports or from those locations to hub airports. The E175 typically seats about 76 passengers in economy and premium classes.

Embraer, the third-largest plane manufacturer, is based near São Paulo, Brazil, and Airbus, the largest, has its headquarters in Toulouse, France. Boeing, the second biggest, is based in Arlington, Va.

We urge you to sign this petition asking American Airlines to prioritize passenger safety by replacing their fleet of Boeing 737 Max aircraft with Airbus A321neo and Embraer E175 models. Your signature can make a difference in ensuring safer skies for all travelers.