American Airlines is working on an ambitious fleet renewal plan that will see the retirement of the Boeing 767 in favor of newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft. As a result, American will upgrade services to Montevideo, Uruguay to a Boeing 787 early in 2021.

RoutesOnline reports that American Airlines will remove Boeing 767 service to Montevideo, Uruguay from January 7, 2021. Instead, American will place a Boeing 787 on this route on a daily basis. American Airlines confirmed to Simple Flying that this upgrade is a result of Boeing 767 retirements.

Miami to Montevideo
American will fly the 787 daily between Miami and Montevideo. Rendering created at Great Circle Mapper

The Boeing 767 versus the 787

American operates both Boeing 767 and 787 aircraft. Onboard, passengers will find a different experience on each. The 767 has 28 lie-flat business class seats, 21 Main Cabin Extra seats (which is essentially just extra legroom economy class), and 160 Main Cabin seats. American's 767s underwent a refurbishment a few years ago in which the aircraft received lie-flat seats in business class.

Meanwhile, the Boeing 787 has 20 lie-flat seats in Flagship Business class, 28 Premium Economy seats, 48 Main Cabin Extra seats, and 138 Main Cabin seats. The fun part about American's 787s is that some business class seats are rear-facing. Although, these aircraft do not have a door like some other business class products.

AA 787 cabin
The Flagship Business cabin on the 787-8. Photo: American Airlines

The 787-8 is equipped with a total of 234 seats while the 767-300 has 209 seats onboard, which represents a slight capacity increase moving forward. While there will be fewer business class seats on this route, the addition of a Premium Economy cabin will help those passengers who are seeking a happy medium between extra legroom economy and business class.

In addition, no seats on the Boeing 767 have seatback entertainment. Rather, there are overhead screens in economy class and, in business class, American passes out Samsung tablets to passengers. The 787, however, offers all passengers on-demand entertainment through seatback screens.

AA 787 main cabin
Main Cabin passengers will have access to on-demand entertainment through the seatback screen with the 787. Photo: American Airlines

American is retiring the 767s

The Boeing 767s are getting old. Data from Planespottters indicates that the older 767s in American's fleet are about 25 years old. The youngest are about 16.5 years old. Although widebody aircraft can operate for a longer period of time due to undergoing fewer flight cycles over time, it is in the airline's interest to replace these older aircraft for newer, more fuel-efficient aircraft like the Boeing 787.

American 787 Takeoff
The 787-8 is more fuel-efficient than the 767 and will offer better economics for American Airlines. Photo: Boeing

Montevideo, Uruguay

A more "hidden" destination in South America, American Airlines is the only airline that links the Uruguayan capital to the United States with its nonstop flight to Miami. Other long-haul routes out of Montevideo include flights to Madrid on Iberia and Air Europa, as well as to Panama City on Copa Airlines. There are also longer South American routes such as Avianca's flight from Montevideo to Bogota and LATAM's flight to Lima.

Will you fly on American's Boeing 787 to Montevideo? Are you excited for the 767 to 787 swap? Let us know in the comments!