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American Airlines

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American Airlines
IATA ICAO Call sign
AA AAL AMERICAN
Founded1930 (as American Airways)
Hubs
Focus cities
Frequent-flyer programAAdvantage
Alliance
Fleet size604 (+124 Orders)[2]
Destinations157 excl.code-shares
Parent companyAMR Corporation`
HeadquartersFort Worth, Texas, US
Key peopleGerard Arpey (CEO)
Tom Horton (CFO)
Websiteaa.com
Headquarters of AMR Corporation and American Airlines
Airbus A300

American Airlines, Inc. (AA) is a major airline of the United States.[3] It is the world's largest airline in passenger miles transported[4] and passenger fleet size; third largest, behind FedEx Express and Delta Air Lines, in aircraft operated; and second behind Air France-KLM in operating revenues.[5] A subsidiary of the AMR Corporation, the airline is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, adjacent to the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport.[6] American operates scheduled flights throughout the United States, and flights to Canada, Latin America, the Caribbean, Europe, Japan, the People's Republic of China, and India. The Chairman, President, and CEO of AA is Gerard Arpey. In 2005, the airline flew more than 138 billion revenue passenger miles (RPM).

Overview

In May 2008, American served 260 cities (excluding codeshares with partner airlines) with 655 aircraft.[2] American carries more passengers between the US and Latin America (12.1 million in 2004) than any other airline, and is also strong in the trans/inter/intracontinental market. American Airlines' total revenue for the year was 23.8 Billion, of which $18.2 Billion came from Mainline division, $2.49B from Regional, and $874 Million from Cargo. [7]

American has five hubs: Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), Chicago (ORD), Miami (MIA), San Juan (SJU), and New York-JFK (JFK)[1]. Dallas/Fort Worth is the airline's largest hub, with AA operating 85 percent of flights at the airport and traveling to more destinations than from its other hubs. Los Angeles (LAX), St. Louis (STL), New York-LaGuardia (LGA), and Boston (BOS) serve as focus cities and international gateways. American operates maintenance bases at Tulsa (TUL), Kansas City (MCI), and Fort Worth Alliance (AFW).

American Airlines has one regional affiliate:

History

Formation

American Airlines was developed from a conglomeration of 82 small airlines through acquisitions and reorganizations: initially, American Airways was a common brand by a number of independent carriers. These included Southern Air Transport in Texas, Southern Air Fast Express (SAFE) in the western US, Universal Aviation in the Midwest (which operated a transcontinental air/rail route in 1929), Thompson Aeronautical Services (which operated a Detroit-Cleveland route beginning in 1929) and Colonial Air Transport in the Northeast.

On January 25, 1930, American Airways was incorporated as a single company, based in New York, with routes from Boston, New York and Chicago to Dallas, and from Dallas to Los Angeles. The airline operated wood and fabric-covered Fokker Trimotors and all-metal Ford Trimotors. In 1934 American began flying Curtiss Condor biplanes with sleeping berths.

American Airlines before World War II

DC-3 "Flagship," American's chief aircraft type during the World War II period.

In 1934 American Airways Company was acquired by E.L. Cord, who renamed it "American Air Lines". Cord hired Texas businessman C.R. (Cyrus Rowlett) Smith to run the company.

Smith worked with Donald Douglas to develop the DC-3, which American Airlines started flying in 1936. With the DC-3, American began calling its aircraft "Flagships" and establishing the Admirals Club for valued passengers. The DC-3s had a four-star "admiral's pennant" outside the cockpit window while the aircraft was parked, one of the most well-known images of the airline at the time.

American Airlines was first to cooperate with Fiorello LaGuardia to build an airport in New York City, and partly as a result became owner of the world's first airline lounge at the new LaGuardia Airport (LGA), which became known as the Admirals Club. Membership was initially by invitation but a discrimination suit decades later changed the club into a paid club, creating the model for other airline lounges.

Postwar developments

Boeing 707 freighter at EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg in France (near Basel) in 1976

After World War II, American launched an international subsidiary, American Overseas Airlines, to serve Europe; AOA was sold to Pan Am in 1950. AA launched another subsidiary, Líneas Aéreas Americanas de Mexico S.A., to fly to Mexico and built several airports there. American Airlines provided advertising and free usage of its aircraft in the 1951 film Three Guys Named Mike.[9]

American Airlines introduced the first transcontinental jet service using Boeing 707s on January 25, 1959. With its Astrojets, as it dubbed the jet fleet, American shifted to nonstop coast-to-coast flights, although it maintained feeder connections to cities along its old route using smaller Convair 990s and Lockheed Electras. American invested $440 million in jet aircraft up to 1962, launched the first electronic booking system (Sabre) with IBM, and built an upgraded terminal at Idlewild (now JFK) Airport in New York City which became the airline's largest base.[10]

From 1971–1978 Beverly Lynn Burns worked as a stewardess for AA. She went on to become the first woman Boeing 747 airline captain.[citation needed]

In 1975 American Airlines was headquartered at 633 Third Avenue in the Murray Hill area of Midtown Manhattan, New York City.[11][12] In 1978 American announced that it would move its headquarters to a site at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in 1979. The move affected up to 1,300 jobs. Mayor of New York City Ed Koch described this move as "betrayal" of New York City.[13] American moved to two leased office buildings in Grand Prairie, Texas.[14]

Expansion in the 1980s and 1990s

After moving headquarters to Fort Worth in 1979, American changed its routing to a hub-and-spoke system in 1981, opening its first hubs at DFW and Chicago O'Hare. Led by its new chairman and CEO, Robert Crandall, American began flights from these hubs to Europe and Japan in the mid-1980s.

Boeing 727-223 at O'Hare International Airport in May 1989

The airline finished moving into a $150 million (1983 dollars), 550,000 square feet (51,000 m2) facility in Fort Worth on January 17, 1983; $147 million in Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport bonds financed the headquarters. The airline began leasing the facility from the airport, which owns the facility.[14]

In the late 1980s, American opened three hubs for north-south traffic. San Jose International Airport was added after American purchased AirCal. American also built a terminal and runway at Raleigh-Durham International Airport for the growing Research Triangle Park nearby and compete with USAir's hub in Charlotte. Nashville was also a hub.

In 1990, American Airlines bought the assets of TWA's operations at London Heathrow for $445 million, giving American a hub there. The US/UK Bermuda II treaty, in effect until open skies came into effect in April 2008, barred U.S. airlines from Heathrow with the sole exceptions of American and United Airlines.

Lower fuel prices and a favorable business climate led to higher than average profits in the 1990s. The industry's expansion was not lost on pilots who on February 17, 1997 went on strike for higher wages. President Bill Clinton invoked the Railway Labor Act citing economic impact to the United States, quashing the strike.[15] Pilots settled for wages lower than their demands.

Boeing 767-300ER taking off

The three new hubs were abandoned in the 1990s: some San Jose facilities were sold to Reno Air, and at Raleigh/Durham to Midway Airlines. Midway went out of business in 2001. American purchased Reno Air in February 1999 and integrated its operations on August 31, 1999, but did not resume hub operations in San Jose. American discontinued most of Reno Air's routes, and sold most of the Reno Air aircraft, as they had with Air California 12 years earlier. The only remaining route from the Air California and Reno Air purchases is San Francisco to Los Angeles.

During this time, concern over airline bankruptcies and falling stock prices brought a warning from American's CEO Robert Crandall. "I've never invested in any airline," Crandall said. "I'm an airline manager. I don't invest in airlines. And I always said to the employees of American, 'This is not an appropriate investment. It's a great place to work and it's a great company that does important work. But airlines are not an investment.'" Crandall noted that since airline deregulation of the 1970s, 150 airlines had gone out of business. "A lot of people came into the airline business. Most of them promptly exited, minus their money," he said. [citation needed]

Miami became a hub after American bought Central and South American routes from Eastern Air Lines in 1990 (inherited from Braniff International Airways but originated by Panagra). Through the 1990s, American expanded its network in Latin America to become the dominant U.S. carrier in the region.

On October 15, 1998 American Airlines became the first airline to offer electronic ticketing in the 44 countries it serves.

TWA merger, 9/11, to the present

American Airlines Center

Robert Crandall left in 1998 and was replaced by Donald J. Carty, who negotiated the purchase of the near bankrupt Trans World Airlines (it would file for its 3rd bankruptcy as part of the purchase agreement)[16][17][18] and its hub in St Louis in April 2001.

The merger of seniority lists remains contentious for pilots; the groups were represented by different unions. In the merger, 60 percent of former TWA pilots moved to the bottom of the seniority list at AA. All were furloughed, and most remain on furlough. The most senior TWA captain, hired in 1963, was integrated at the same seniority level as an AA captain hired in 1985.[citation needed] All TWA captains and first officers hired in March 1989 and later were appended to the seniority list junior to American Airlines first officers hired in June 2001. However, TWA pilots were given super-seniority and a ratio of positions as captain if they stayed in St Louis. The result was that most former TWA pilots stayed in St Louis and roughly maintained their relative seniority; though, some left St Louis and flew in the co-pilot seat next to AA pilots who may have been hired at a later date, but are more senior outside the protections afforded to that base. The extensive furloughs of former TWA pilots in the wake of the 9/11 attacks disproportionately affected St. Louis and resulted in a significant influx of American Airlines pilots. For cabin crews, all former TWA flight attendants (approximately 4,200) were furloughed by mid-2003 due to the AA flight attendants' union putting TWA flight attendants at the bottom of their seniority list.

American Airlines began losing money in the wake of the TWA merger and the September 11, 2001 attacks (in which some of its planes were involved). Carty negotiated wage and benefit agreements with the unions but resigned after union leaders discovered he was planning to award executive compensation packages at the same time. The St Louis hub was also downsized.

American has undergone additional cost-cutting, including rolling back its "More Room Throughout Coach" program (which eliminated several rows of seats on certain aircraft), ending three-class service on many international flights, and standardizing its fleet at each hub (see below). However, the airline also expanded into new markets, including Ireland, India and mainland China. On July 20, 2005, American announced a quarterly profit for the first time in 17 quarters; the airline earned $58 million in the second quarter of 2005.

Boeing 777-223ER landing at London Heathrow Airport

AA was a strong backer of the Wright Amendment, which regulated commercial airline operations at Love Field in Dallas. On June 15, 2006, American agreed with Southwest Airlines and the cities of Dallas and Fort Worth to seek repeal of the Wright Amendment on condition that Love Field remained a domestic airport and its gate capacity be limited.[19]

On July 2, 2008, American announced furloughs of up to 950 flight attendants, via Texas' Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act system.[20] This furlough is in addition to the furlough of 20 MD-80 aircraft[21]. American's hub at San Juan, Puerto Rico's Luiz Muñoz Marin International Airport, will be truncated from 38 to 18 daily inbound flights, but the carrier will retain service in a diminished capacity.[22]

On August 13, 2008, the Kansas City Star reported that American would move some overhaul work from its Kansas City, Missouri base. Repairs on Boeing 757s will be made in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and some 767 maintenance will move there as well; one, possibly two, Boeing 767 repair lines will be retained at Kansas City International Airport. The narrow-body repair hangar will be shut. The city's aviation department offered to upgrade repair facilities on condition that the airline maintain at least 700 jobs.[23]

On June 26, 2009, rumors of a merger with US Airways resurfaced to much speculation within the online aviation community. "[24]

In August 2009, American was placed under credit watch, along with United Airlines and US Airways.

MD-80 Maintenance Controversies and Consequences

American Airlines has had repeated run-ins with the FAA regarding maintenance of its MD-80 fleet; the costs associated with operating these jets has affected American's bottom line. American Airlines canceled 1,000 flights to inspect wire bundles over three days in April 2008 to make sure they complied with government safety regulations.[25] This caused significant inconvenience to passengers and financial problems for the airline. American has begun the process of replacing its older MD-80 jets with Boeing 737s. The newer MD-80s will continue to serve until the next generation Boeing narrowbody aircraft (Y1) is available.

In September 2009, the Associated Press and Wall Street Journal reported that American was accused of repeated maintenance lapses, and attempts to hide the lapses, from the FAA. These involving at least 16 MD-80s. Repair issues included such items as faulty emergency slides, improper engine coatings, incorrectly drilled holes and other examples of shoddy workmanship. The most serious alleged lapse is a failure to repair cracks to pressure bulkheads; the rupture of a bulkhead could lead to cabin depressurization. It is also alleged that the airline retired one airplane in order to hide it from FAA inspectors; the airline countered that FAA inspectors always have full access to any airplane, retired or not.[26][27]

In May 2008, a month after mass grounding of aircraft, American announced capacity cuts and fees to increase revenue and help cover high fuel prices. The airline increased fees such as a $15 charge for the first checked bag and $25 for the second, as well as a $150 change fee for domestic reservations. American Airlines announced in May that it expected to retire 40 to 45 mainline aircraft in fall 2008, the majority fuel-inefficient MD-80s but also some Airbus A300s. American's regional airline, American Eagle Airlines, will retire 35 to 40 regional jets as well as its Saab turboprop fleet.

Potential negotiations with Japan Airlines

On September 12, 2009, American Airlines' parent company, AMR Corporation announced that they were looking into buying some of the financially struggling Japan Airlines.[28] AMR is not the only company planning to buy a stake in the airline but rival airline, Delta Air Lines is also looking into investing in the troubled airline, along with Delta's partner Air France-KLM. Both Delta and AF-KLM are part of SkyTeam, Oneworld's alliance rival.[29]

Slogans

McDonnell Douglas MD-82 at Raleigh-Durham International Airport
  • Current - "We know why you fly, we're American Airlines."
  • AA/TWA merger - "Two great airlines, one great future."
  • 2001 (post-9/11) - "We are an airline that is proud to bear the name American."
  • Mid 1990s - "Based Here. Best Here."
  • Late 1980s - "No other Airline gives you more of America, than American."
  • Mid 1980s-mid 1990s - "Something special in the air." (Variant used for website: "Something special online.")
  • 1980s-1988- "The On-Time Machine."
  • 1970s-1980s - "We're American Airlines, doing what we do best."
  • Early 1970s - "It's good to know you're on American Airlines."
  • 1967–1969 - "Fly the American Way."
  • 1964–1967 - "American built an airline for professional travelers."
  • 1950s-early 1960s - "America's Leading (domestic) Airline."

Destinations

American Airlines destinations.
  USA
  American Airlines destinations
AA aircraft at Concourse D, Miami International Airport
AA Boeing 777 at Galeão International Airport, Rio de Janeiro
Further information: American Airlines destinations

American Airlines serves four continents. Hubs at Dallas/Fort Worth and Miami serve as gateways to the Americas, while American's Chicago hub has become the airline's primary gateway to Europe and Asia. New York Kennedy (JFK) is a primary gateway for both the Americas and Europe, while New York La Guardia (LGA) and St. Louis are regional hubs. It serves the second largest number of international destinations, second to Continental Airlines.

American is the only U.S. airline with scheduled flights to Anguilla, Bolivia, Dominica, Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Uruguay.

American has begun to expand in Asia, with mixed success. In 2005, American re-introduced a non-stop flight from Dallas/Fort Worth to Osaka-Kansai, which has since been discontinued. American also launched non-stop service from Chicago to Nagoya-Centrair, but that too ended within a year. Also in 2005, American launched service from Chicago to Delhi.[30] This service has been profitable.[citation needed] In April 2006, American began service from Chicago to Shanghai, also profitably. However, in October 2006, American ceased its San Jose, California to Tokyo-Narita service, leaving LAX as American's sole international gateways on the West Coast. American planned flights between Dallas/Fort Worth and Beijing via Chicago-O'Hare (on Westbound only) in 2007 but lost its bid to United Airlines' Dulles to Beijing route. AA was granted permission in September 2007 to start a Chicago-Beijing route in a new set of China routes in 2009,[31] but currently plans to begin service April 4, 2010.[32]

Fleet

An American Boeing 757 landing at Vancouver International Airport

As of August 2009, the American Airlines fleet consists of 613 aircraft.[2].

In August 2007 the airline announced it would offer Wi-fi internet services on Boeing 767-200ER flights across the United States.[33] On August 20, 2008, American Airlines became the first to offer full inflight internet service.[34]

In October 2008, American announced plans to order the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.[35]

American is the largest operator of the McDonnell Douglas MD-80, with some 300 of the type. As part of its fleet renewal plan, American is replacing one-fourth of its MD-80s with the Boeing 737-800, which offers a 35 percent increase per-seat mileage.[36] The rest will eventually be replaced by Boeing's next generation narrow body aircraft, the Boeing Y1, which may not be until 2020 or later. American Airlines has stated that they have MD-80 leases running until as late as 2024.

In August 2009, American officially retired its fleet of Airbus A300 aircraft, after 21 years of service. American has not made plans to replace this fleet.

Current

American Airlines had an average fleet age of 15.6 years in August 2009.[37]

American Airlines Fleet
Aircraft In
Service 		Orders Purchase Rights Passengers
(First/Business/Economy) 		Routes IFE Introduction Notes
Boeing 737-800 93 100 0 Old Configuration: 148 (16/132)
New Configuration: 160 (16/144) 		North American short-medium haul, Caribbean, Mexico
Most fly out of MIA, ORD, DFW, SJU and LAX 		Overhead monitors, audio 1999 The oldest MD-82s and MD-83s are being replaced with 737-800s. The rest will be replaced with Boeing's 737 replacement (Y1)
Boeing 757-200 124 0 0 188 (22/166)
182 (16/166) 		Domestic, Caribbean, South America, Hawaii, Europe
Most fly out of MIA and DFW 		Overhead monitors, audio 1989 All fitted with winglets
To be fitted with new interiors
18 to be modified to an international version
Boeing 767-200ER 65 0 0 159 (10/30/119) MIA to JFK, LAX and SFO
JFK to LAX and SFO
EWR to LAX 		Personal media player offered in First and Business Class on transcontinental flights
Overhead monitors and audio system in all classes
 1986 All 15 aircraft are fitted with three classes and operate flagship service on transcontinental routes.
Boeing 767-300ER 58 0 0 225 (30/195) Transatlantic, South America
Hawaii, hub to hub domestic 		Personal DVD Player offered in Business Class,
Overhead monitors in Economy, audio in both classes 		1988 5 fitted with winglets[38]
To be fitted with winglets[39]
Fitted with New Business Class.
Boeing 777-200ER 47 91 0 247 (16/37/194) Transatlantic, transpacific, South America
New Delhi, MIA-LAX, DFW-ORD, DFW-MIA (begins December 2009) 		AVOD, Audio 1999 Fitted with Flagship Suites
Fitted with New Business Class
Fitted with AVOD in First/Business Class
Fitted with AVOD in Economy class
Boeing 787-9 0 42
(see note) 		58 TBD Long haul TBD 2013
(see note) 		Boeing has confirmed that the 787-9 will not enter service before 2013[40] and AA forecasts that the first aircraft will be delivered in late 2013.[41]
McDonnell Douglas MD-82 186 0 0 136 (16/120)
140 (16/124) 		Short, Medium Haul Domestic, Mexico and Canada
Most fly out of ORD, STL, and DFW 		None 1983 Largest operator of the MD-82
Oldest being replaced by: Boeing 737-800
The rest will be replaced with Boeing's 737 replacement (Y1)
McDonnell Douglas MD-83 100 0 0 136 (16/120)
140 (16/124) 		Short, medium haul domestic, Mexico and Canada
Most fly out of ORD, STL, DFW, and BOS 		None 1987 Largest operator of the MD-83
Oldest being replaced by: Boeing 737-800
The rest will be replaced with Boeing's 737 replacement (Y1)
Total 673 233 58

*Aircell Internet Broadband access is being installed on all Boeing 767-200 and Boeing 737-800 aircraft.[42]

Historical fleet types

1930s 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s
Ford 5-AT
1930–1935 		DC-3
1936–1949 		BAC 111
1965–1972 		McDonnell Douglas MD-80
1979 - [Present]
Curtiss Condor
1934 - [Present] 		Lockheed L-188 Electra
1958–1970 		737 & BAe 146
1987–1992 		Fokker 100
1992–2004
Fairchild 100
1931 - [Present] 		Convair 240
1948–1964 		Boeing 727
1964–2002
DC-6
1947–1966 		Airbus A300
1988–2009
DC-4
1946–1953 		DC-7
1953–1959 		Boeing 707
1959–1981 		Boeing 757
1989 - [Present]
C-990
1962–1969 		Boeing 737NG
1999 - [Present]
B-377
1946–1950 		Boeing 747-100
1970–1989 		Boeing 747SP
1986–1994 		Boeing 777
1999 - [Present]
McDonnell Douglas DC-10
1971–2000
Boeing 767
1982 - [Present]
MD-11
1991–2002
Former AA 747-100 carrying the Space Shuttle Enterprise

Notes:

AAdvantage

File:AAdvant 375X117.png

AAdvantage is the frequent flyer program of American Airlines. Launched May 1, 1981, it was the first such loyalty program in the world, and remains the largest with more than 50 million members as of 2005.[46]

Miles accumulated in the program allow members to redeem tickets, upgrade service class, or obtain free or discounted car rentals, hotel stays, merchandise, or other products and services through partners. The most active members, based on the amount and price of travel booked, are designated AAdvantage Gold, AAdvantage Platinum, and AAdvantage Executive Platinum elite members, with privileges such as separate check-in, priority upgrade and standby processing, or free upgrades. They also receive similar privileges from AA's partner airlines, particularly those in Oneworld.

Concierge Key, is AA's invitation only level for either high revenue or high mileage fliers. The benefits and requirements to attain this level are unpublished, much like UA's Global Services level. Some benefits include ground concierge service, including being walked to and met at the plane as well as better protection in case of irregular operations.

History

Increased competition following the 1978 Airline Deregulation Act prompted airline marketing professionals to develop ways to reward repeat customers and build brand loyalty. The first idea at American, a special "loyalty fare", was modified and expanded to offer free first class tickets and upgrades to first class for companions, or discounted coach tickets. Membership was seeded by searching AA's SABRE computer reservations system for recurring phone numbers. The 130,000 most frequent flyers, plus an additional 60,000 members of AA's Admirals Club were pre-enrolled and sent letters with their new account numbers. The name was selected by AA's advertising agency, and is consistent with other American Airlines programs featuring "AA" in the name and logo. The logo was designed by Massimo Vignelli. The impact of the AA logo is strengthened by the fact that American Airlines was able in 1997 to buy the matching two letter internet domain aa.com. The amount of the transaction remains confidential. Only few corporations worldwide, among them 4 airlines own a two letter domain name.[47] AA is also the company's IATA airline code.

Less than a week later, rival United Airlines launched its Mileage Plus program; other airlines followed in the ensuing months and years. The rapid appearance of competition changed the nature of the program, and as airlines began to compete on the features of their frequent flyer programs, AAdvantage liberalized its rules, established partnerships with hotel and rental car agencies, and offered promotions such as extra free beverages. In 1982 AAdvantage also became the first program to cooperate with an international carrier; members could accrue and redeem miles on British Airways flights to Europe.

In 2005 American Airlines joined other major US carriers in introducing an online shopping portal allowing shoppers to earn AAdvantage miles when shopping online.

Partnerships

In addition to its Oneworld, American Connection, and American Eagle partnerships, American Airlines offers frequent flier partnerships with the following airlines and railways:[48]

Airlines

Railways

Environmental record

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has awarded American Airlines its 2005 Governor's Award for its outstanding efforts in environmental protection and pollution prevention. American Airline's wastewater treatment plant recycles water used at the base of the wash aircraft, process rinse water tanks, and irrigates landscape. That alone has saved almost 1 million dollars since 2002. In addition to that, American Airlines has also won the award for the reduction of hazardous waste that saved them 229,000 dollars after a 2,000 dollar investment. A bar code system used is to track hazardous waste. It has led to reduction of waste by 50 percent since 2000.[50]

Violations occurring over a 4½ year period — from October 1993 to July 1998 — targeted American Airlines for using high-sulfur fuel in motor vehicles at 10 major airports around the country. Under the federal Clean Air Act high sulfur fuel cannot be used in motor vehicles. American Airlines promptly identified and corrected these violations of the Clean Air Act.[51]

American Airlines Vacations

American Airlines Vacations is a subsidiary of American Airlines, which is a subsidiary of AMR Corporation. American Airlines Vacations, based in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas, is the largest airline-owned tour operator in the United States.

History: The division was initially founded over 25 years ago under the name FlyAAway Vacations. The name was eventually changed to AAV Tours. Today it operates as American Airlines Vacations, offering vacations in the Caribbean, Mexico, Hawaii, Europe, Canada, the United States, Latin America and Asia. American Airlines Vacations is the only travel company that allows payment with AAdvantage miles.

The current president of American Airlines Vacations is Suzanne Rubin.
American Airlines Vacations is a member of the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

Admirals Club

File:AA Admirals Club.png

The Admirals Club was conceived by AA president C.R. Smith as a marketing gimmick shortly after he was made an honorary Texas Ranger. Inspired by the Kentucky colonels and other honorary organizations, Smith decided to make particularly valued passengers "admirals" of the "Flagship fleet" (AA called its aircraft "Flagships" at the time). The list of Admirals included many celebrities, politicians and other VIPs, as well as more "ordinary" customers who had been particularly loyal to the airline.

There was no physical Admirals Club until shortly after the opening of LaGuardia Airport. During the airport's construction, New York Mayor Fiorello LaGuardia had an upper-level lounge set aside for press conferences and business meetings. At one such press conference, he noted that the entire terminal was being offered for lease to airline tenants; after a reporter asked whether the lounge would be leased as well, LaGuardia replied that it would, and a vice president of AA immediately offered to lease the premises. The airline then procured a liquor license and began operating the lounge as the "Admirals Club" in 1939.

The second Admirals Club opened at Washington National Airport. Because it was illegal to sell alcohol in Virginia at the time, the Club contained refrigerators for the use of its members, so they could store their own liquor at the airport. For many years, membership in the Admirals Club (and most other airline lounges) was by the airline's invitation. After a passenger sued for discrimination[52], the Club (and most other airline lounges) switched to a paid membership program.

Membership now costs $300 to $450 a year, depending on AAdvantage frequent flyer program level (and annual renewal membership costs $250–$400); membership can also be purchased with AAdvantage miles.

Locations

[53]

Flagship Lounge

Though affiliated with the Admirals Club and staffed by many of the same employees, the AA Flagship Lounge is a separate lounge specifically designed for premium customers flying on premium flights both domestically within the United States and internationally. This means that only First Class passengers on 3-Class Aircraft, both Internationally and Transcontinentally, are granted entrance to these clubs. A 3-Class aircraft operating a non-transcon flight and not sold as 3-Class is not considered Premium, and entrance is not granted to passengers on this type of service. Lounge access is granted to passengers on non-AA operated flights flown by select airline partners as well, again, as long as the flight has a true International First Class cabin and the passenger is booked in that class as a paying customer or on a premium cabin frequent flyer award ticket (not as an upgrade). The only exception to this rule is for OneWorld Emerald elite FF members (including AA Executive Platinum) on international flights, who are granted access to the lounges traveling in any class.[54]

The added amenities of the Flagship Lounges compared to the normal Admirals Club include free alcoholic beverages including premium brands not found in the Admirals Club, free premium buffet snacks including breakfast items, salads, sandwiches, fruits, chocolates, cheeses and other light fare (options change based on time of day), as well as a less crowded, more comfortable lounge space. Additionally, complimentary Lenovo computer terminals with free internet access, complimentary T-Mobile hotspot access, and complimentary printing is available at most locations, as are shower facilities. The AA Flagship Lounge concept is similar to First Class lounges offered by other airlines around the world, though many international carriers offer full meal services, massages and other amenities in First lounges that AA does not.

The first Flagship Lounge was opened at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport as a courtesy to First Class customers preparing for long flights to London and Tokyo. While the Dallas lounge is no longer open, Flagship Lounges are now available at:

Codeshare agreements

American has codeshare agreements with the following airlines:

AmericanConnection, which feeds American's hub at Lambert Saint Louis International Airport, is also a codesharing operation with three regional carriers. It also has reciprocal agreements for earning frequent flyer miles with several airlines, including all other members of the Oneworld alliance.

Livery

American's early liveries varied widely, but a common livery was adopted in the 1930s, featuring an eagle painted on the fuselage. The eagle became a symbol of the company and inspired the name of American Eagle Airlines. Propeller aircraft featured an international orange lightning bolt running down the length of the fuselage, which was replaced by a simpler orange stripe with the introduction of jets.

A Boeing 737 in the Astrojet livery
A Boeing 767-300 in current colours takes off from Manchester International Airport, England, bound for Chicago, US

In the late 1960s, American commissioned an industrial designer to develop a new livery. The original design called for a red, white, and blue stripe on the fuselage, and a simple "AA" logo, without an eagle, on the tail. However, American's employees revolted when the livery was made public, and launched a "Save the Eagle" campaign similar to the "Save the Flying Red Horse" campaign at Mobil.[citation needed] Eventually, the designer caved in and created a highly stylized eagle, which remains the company's logo to this day. In 1999, American painted a new Boeing 757 in its 1959 international orange livery. There is a Boeing 737-800 painted in the retro AstroJet livery.

American is the only major U.S. airline that leaves the majority of its aircraft surfaces unpainted. This was because C. R. Smith hated painted aircraft, and refused to use any liveries that involved painting the entire plane. Robert "Bob" Crandall later justified the distinctive natural metal finish by noting that less paint reduced the aircraft's weight, thus saving on fuel costs.[57] Eastern Air Lines, US Airways, and Northwest Airlines have also maintained unpainted airplanes in the past.

SCA N905NA in 1978, with American pinstriping

NASA's Boeing 747 Shuttle Carrier Aircraft, with the registry N905NA, originally belonged to American Airlines, and in its early years still bore the distinct American pinstriping. By the early 1980s, however, NASA decided to discontinue using the American livery and replaced it with its own livery, consisting of a white fuselage and blue pinstriping.

On-board service

On domestic flights and flights to Canada, Central America, and areas in the Caribbean (including the Dominican Republic), American Airlines offers a buy on board program offering sandwiches and snacks for purchase. Flights two hours or longer have snacks, and flights three hours or longer have sandwiches. Transcontinental flights and Hawaii flights have the "Premium Sandwich and Chip Combo" for purchase. Buy on board service to Central America and the Dominican Republic began on March 1, 2009. American will continue to offer free coach meals on flights to Europe, Haiti, Japan, and other destinations.[58][59]

In First and Business classes, on all domestic flights of two hours or more that operate within a traditional meal time, full meal service is included. Flights with a duration longer than two and one half hours that do not fall within a meal time have snack service for those classes.[58] First class and business class passengers receive alcoholic beverages for free. Non-alcoholic beverages are free for all classes.[60]

Blankets and pillows are provided free of charge. Headsets are two dollars on domestic flights and free on flights to/from Europe, Asia, India and South America. Headsets are also free to passengers in First and Business Classes.[61]

Accidents and incidents

Main article: American Airlines accidents and incidents

Miscellaneous

  • In the 1960s, Mattel released a series of American Airlines stewardess Barbie dolls.
  • A fictitious "American Airlines Space Freighter", the Valley Forge, was the setting for the 1971 science fiction movie Silent Running, starring Bruce Dern and directed by Douglas Trumbull. The freighter featured the then-new "AA" logo on the hull, along with the crew uniforms and several set pieces.
  • On 30 March 1973 AA became the first major airline to employ a female pilot when Bonnie Tiburzi was hired to fly Boeing 727s.
  • AA lobbied heavily to be assigned the IATA airline code US upon the US military releasing it for non-military use. However, USAir ultimately won the bid for the US airliner code.
  • The airline received a 100% rating on the first Corporate Equality Index released by the Human Rights Campaign in 2002 and has maintained their rating in respect to policies on employees.
  • AA is the only legacy carrier in the United States which has not filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
  • Vignelli Associates designed the AA eagle logo in 1967. Vignelli attributes the introduction of his firm to American Airlines to Henry Dreyfuss, the legendary AA design consultant. The logo is still in use today.
  • AA has its name on two major U.S. venues, American Airlines Center in Dallas, home to the Mavericks and Stars, and American Airlines Arena in Miami, home to the Heat. When the Heat and Mavericks played each other in the 2006 NBA Finals, it was referred to as the "American Airlines series."

An American Airlines ( Airways) DC2 was the setting for Shirley Temple to sing, "On the Good Ship Lollipop" while James Dunn took her up. contrary to popular belief, the good ship lollipop was always an airplane and not a seagoing ship. See the film "Curly Top" for some fine aeronautical footage of the DC2 and the even earlier Curtis Condor airliner (biplane).

Sources

  • John M. Capozzi, A Spirit of Greatness (JMC, 2001), ISBN 0-9656410-3-1
  • Don Bedwell, Silverbird: The American Airlines Story (Airways, 1999), ISBN 0-9653993-6-2
  • Al Casey, Casey's Law (Arcade, 1997), ISBN 1-55970-307-5
  • Simon Forty, ABC American Airlines (Ian Allan, 1997), ISBN 1-882663-21-7
  • Dan Reed, The American Eagle: The Ascent of Bob Crandall and American Airlines (St. Martin's, 1993), ISBN 0-312-08696-2
  • Robert J. Serling, Eagle (St. Martin's, 1985), ISBN 0-312-22453-2
  • International Directory of Company Histories, St. James Press.

References

  1. ^ a b c d e AMR Corp. 10-K, Dec. 31, 2008
  2. ^ a b c "Fleet Statistics". AA.com.
  3. ^ Federal Aviation Administration - Airline Certificate Information - Detail View
  4. ^ Aviation Week and Space Technology: 349. January 15, 2007. {{cite journal}}: Missing or empty |title= (help)
  5. ^ American airlines information pictures and facts
  6. ^ "Corporate Structure." American Airlines. Retrieved on May 18, 2009.
  7. ^ American Airlines Revenue Sources, Wikinvest. Retrieved June 26, 2009.
  8. ^ "American Airlines". Oneworld. Retrieved 26-May-2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  9. ^ "Aviation in Film:Three Guys Named Mike". Turner Classic Movies. Retrieved December 22, 2008.
  10. ^ "Jets Across the U.S." TIME. November 17, 1958.
  11. ^ World Airline Directory. Flight International. March 20, 1975. "472.
  12. ^ "Flatiron / Gramercy / Murray Hill / Union Square: Manhattan Neighborhood Map." About.com. Retrieved on January 25, 2009.
  13. ^ Sterba, James P. "American Will Shift Headquarters From Manhattan to Dallas Airport; Big Economies Predicted." The New York Times. Thursday November 16, 1978. Page A1. Retrieved on August 27, 2009.
  14. ^ a b "American Airlines Finishes Moving into Headquarters Monday." Associated Press at Ocala Star-Banner. January 16, 1983. 6A. Google News 4 of 62. Retrieved on August 27, 2009.
  15. ^ Knowlton, Brian (February 17, 1997). "American Airlines Resuming Service After Clinton Stops Strike". International Herald Tribune.
  16. ^ http://www.nytimes.com/1992/02/01/business/worldbusiness/01iht-twa_.html
  17. ^ http://www.nytimes.com/1995/06/29/business/twa-cleared-for-2d-bankruptcy-filing.html
  18. ^ http://www.nytimes.com/2001/01/11/news/11iht-twa.2.t_1.html
  19. ^ "American Airlines Joins Southwest Airlines in Defeating the Wright Amendment". USA Today Today In The Sky. November 2, 2006.
  20. ^ "American Airlines' parent AMR to cut 6,500 or more jobs". The Dallas Morning News. July 3, 2008. {{cite news}}: |first= missing |last= (help); Text "last-Maxon" ignored (help)
  21. ^ Wallace, James (June 24, 2008). "Aerospace Notebook: MD-80 era winding down as fuel costs rise". Seattle Post-Intelligencer.
  22. ^ Coto, Danica (June 16, 2008). "Flight cuts may hurt Caribbean tourism". USA Today.
  23. ^ "Up to 600 jobs in jeopardy at overhaul base". Kansas City Star. August 13, 2008.
  24. ^ " "US Airways and American Airlines to merge?"Austin International Travel Examiner. June 26, 2009.
  25. ^ Associated Press (April 14, 2008). "American's MD-80s cleared to fly again".
  26. ^ American Faces Escalating Dispute with FAA, Wall Street Journal,Corporate News, September 4, 2009
  27. ^ FAA investigating American's MD-80 repairs, Associated Press, reported on AT&T on-line news, September 4, 2009
  28. ^ American Airlines in talks to invest in Japan Airlines
  29. ^ Delta Air Lines also after stake in Japan Airlines
  30. ^ "American Airlines Introduces Non-Stop Service To Delhi". July 2005.
  31. ^ Maxon, Terry (2007). "American Airlines wins Chicago-Beijing route". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved 26-May-2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help); Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  32. ^ "AA Receives Tentative Approval to Fly Between Chicago And Beijing, China In 2010". American Airlines. Retrieved 26-May-2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  33. ^ www.flightglobal.com, 8 July 2007
  34. ^ "AA First to Feature GoGo Inflight Internet". August 2008.
  35. ^ "American Airlines Takes Major Fleet Renewal Step By Announcing Plans To Acquire Boeing 787-9 Dreamline". October 2008.
  36. ^ Koenig, David (2009). "American Airlines unveils newest jet in fleet". The Seattle Times. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |month= ignored (help)
  37. ^ American Airlines Average Fleet Age
  38. ^ American 767-300 with winglets at Heathrow!
  39. ^ American Airlines And Aviation Partners Boeing Team Up To Certify And Install 767-300ER Blended Winglets
  40. ^ Ionides, Nicholas (January 10, 2009). "ANZ's first 787-9 delayed by 12 more months". Flight International.
  41. ^ AA 10-Q filing for Q1 2009
  42. ^ American Airline's First Installation of Aircell
  43. ^ www.airfleets.net
  44. ^ www.airfleets.net
  45. ^ www.airfleets.net
  46. ^ American Airlines. "American Airlines AAdvantage Program Details". Retrieved 28-May-2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  47. ^ List of Large Companies that own a Two Letter Domain
  48. ^ "AAdvantage Partners And Mileage Programs". Retrieved 26-May-2009. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  49. ^ a b http://finance.yahoo.com/news/GOL-and-American-Airlines-prnews-3060213164.html?x=0&.v=16
  50. ^ "American Airlines Receives Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's Governor's Award". Airline Industry Information. May 11, 2006.
  51. ^ Environmental Protection Agency "American Airines Will Make Clean Air Improvements at Logan Airport Reports to EPA the Use of Illegal High Sulfur Fuel in Motor Vehicles". United States Environmental Protection Agency. 1999-07-19. Retrieved 2009-01-25. {{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  52. ^ "Toward Equality for VIPs". TIME. 1966-07-15. Retrieved 2009-01-26.
  53. ^ "Admirals Club Locations & Pass Information". AA.com.
  54. ^ https://www.aa.com/aa/i18nForward.do?p=/travelInformation/airportAmenities/AdmiralsLoungeAccess.jsp
  55. ^ http://finance.yahoo.com/news/American-Airlines-and-Etihad-prnews-1011852478.html?x=0&.v=1
  56. ^ Jet Airways to partner American Airlines : India Business
  57. ^ http://industry.bnet.com/travel/1000148/paint-vs-bare-metal-on-airplanes/ Delta, Air Canada Among Carriers Weighing Benefit of Paint Stripping
  58. ^ a b "North America And Caribbean Meal Service." American Airlines. Accessed February 18, 2009.
  59. ^ "International Flagship Entrees." American Airlines. Accessed February 18, 2009
  60. ^ "Onboard Beverages." American Airlines. Accessed February 18, 2009
  61. ^ "Entertainment". American Airlines. Retrieved 2009-06-01.
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