Why American Airlines' COVID-Retired Widebodies Sat In Roswell For 5 Years Before Vietnam Came Calling

American Airlines retired its Boeing 747s in late 2020 due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on air travel demand, leading to the storage of these aircraft at a boneyard in Roswell, New Mexico. The jets remained there for approximately five years, awaiting a potential future role within the airline’s fleet. However, in early 2026, American Airlines secured an agreement with Vietnamese carrier VietJet Air to purchase ten of the grounded 747s. This deal involved the delivery of the aircraft to Phu Quoc International Airport in Vietnam by mid-2026. The acquisition represents a significant shift in the fate of the retired widebodies and marks their return to service after a prolonged period of inactivity.