American joins growing list of 'winglet' airlines

A new technological advance from Aviation Partners Boeing is finding its way onto more and more planes as word spreads of its advantages.

Today American Airlines announced it would also be giving its planes a 'wing-lift' by adding the new Blended Winglet technology to their jets.

The winglets are eight-foot vertical extensions of the plane's wingtips. Studies have shown that they can significantly reduce the amount of jet fuel required for lift-off and decrease aircraft noise and emissions.

With the price of gas rising rapidly it is no wonder that a number of other major airlines have decided to test out the winglets.

In fact since the release of winglets in 2001, more than 800 sets have been put on planes around the world and another 1,500 are on order.

American will start out by putting the technology on 20 of its airplanes, but officials have said that by next year 80 per cent of the airline's planes could have the winglets.

A cut in demand for jet fuel could result in lower airfares, as it has been one of the largest factors in airfare hikes with some airlines going as far as including a fuel surcharge.

© Adfero Ltd