More than 100 American Airlines’ Airbus A320 aircraft will have their cockpit displays upgraded thanks to a partnership between the airline and Airbus. In a multi-year upgrade programme, the two firms will collaborate to “install Enhanced Electronic Instrument System (EEIS2) LCD flight deck displays and new display computers” on American Airlines aircraft, according to an announcement made by Airbus on April 19, 2023. The Display Management Computers (DMC) and cathode ray tube displays currently used in the airline’s cockpits will be replaced by the EEIS2.
Each aircraft in the A320 family includes six flight deck displays and three DMCs that are housed in the avionics bay, according to Airbus. Airbus will incorporate the EEIS, which is made by Thales, a French manufacturer of electrical systems for aerospace, defence, and transportation. The Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) of the A320 family noted that it “will provide the necessary service bulletins and installation kits as well as on-site engineering support”.
The new system, which the OEM claims delivers “new system capabilities and features for American’s A320ceo fleet,” enhances “information displays for pilots thanks to its high-resolution LCD screen,” over the previous displays. Furthermore, according to Airbus, the upgrade programme will increase fleet commonality, save maintenance costs, and decrease each aircraft’s weight by 50 kilogrammes (110.2 lbs).
According to statistics from ch-aviation.com, American Airlines now has 399 A320 aircraft with current engine options (ceo) and 124 with new engine options (neo) in its fleet. According to data from ch-aviation.com, it has 50 Airbus A321XLR and four A321neo on order as well.