Either the Federal Aviation Administration is on the warpath, or our nation's carriers desperately need to refresh their fleets.
Earlier today, American Airlines parent AMR
The MD-80 is a medium-range aircraft based on the original McDonnell-Douglas DC-9, which was first introduced in 1965. Boeing
Don't overlook that last point; it's crucial. Why? The FAA is very likely citing old jets. Not long ago, Southwest's
Who's next? Delta
We don't know, of course. We do know that, because Southwest flies the 737 and faces its own set of maintenance concerns, these issues aren't exclusive to aircraft. And that means any carrier -- Northwest
So, let's not pick on American too much. If the pattern holds -- and, in investing, it usually does -- there's plenty of finger-pointing still to come.
Taxi toward related Foolishness:
- Here's why AMR is one of the world's worst stocks.
- Get a heaping helping of Foolish Fundamentals before you even think of investing in the airline industry.