This is actually a very smart business decision by AA. They've reduced a $1billion liability by passing these orders to Qantas (Boeing already told AA they'd have to take them or pay for them anyway!). No doubt there's language allowing AA to grab the 737's back if they need them in a hurry.
This improves AA's credit rating so they may borrow funds to expand when the next US carrier goes T*ts Up!
Last one standing wins.
dd