Can a non Airprint printer be configured with a new Macbook Air?

Sure. At the end of the day, COMMAND + P (or CONTROL + P in Windows) still sends that same basic PRINT command to the default printer. Doesn't matter what printer it is.

The only issue is the printer driver software. If the printer manufacturer has written a driver that works with the MacBook Air, just download it, install it, and make your old printer the default.

A Mac Airbook laptop can communicate to the printer as long as you are on the same network and the printer has drivers for OS X and they are specifically your version of OS X you can use it.

For an iOS device it wont work, it has to be AirPrint.

@Stuart423

incorrect, the drivers do not need to for "MacBook air" they need to be for the iteration of the version of OS X installed on the computer, regardless if it's a MacBook,MacPro, iMac, MacMini or an Air.