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American Airlines, Inc.

IATA ICAO Callsign AA[1] AAL[1] AMERICAN[2]
Founded	April 15, 1926; 92 years ago (1926-04-15) (earliest predecessor airline as American Airways, Inc.) Chicago, Illinois, United States[3]
Commenced operations	June 25, 1936 (1936-06-25)[3]
AOC #	AALA025A[4]
Hubs	Charlotte Chicago–O'Hare Dallas/Fort Worth Los Angeles Miami New York–JFK New York–LaGuardia Philadelphia Phoenix–Sky Harbor Washington–National
Frequent-flyer program	AAdvantage
Alliance	Oneworld
Fleet size	951 (mainline)
Destinations	350[5]
Company slogan	"The World's Greatest Flyers Fly American" "Going for Great" "Great is what we're going for"
Parent company	American Airlines Group
Traded as	NASDAQ: AAL
Headquarters	CentrePort, Fort Worth, Texas, United States
Key people	Doug Parker (Chairman & CEO) Robert Isom (President) Elise Eberwein (Executive Vice President) Stephen Johnson (Executive Vice President) Derek Kerr (Executive Vice President and CFO) Maya Leibman (Executive Vice President and CIO)[6]
Revenue	See parent
Operating income	See parent
Net income	See parent
Total assets	See parent
Total equity	See parent
Employees	122,300 (May 2017)[7]
Website	www.aa.com

American Airlines, Inc. (AA) is a major United States airline headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, within the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. It is the world's largest airline when measured by fleet size, revenue, scheduled passengers carried, scheduled passenger-kilometers flown, and number of destinations served. American, together with its regional partners, operates an extensive international and domestic network with an average of nearly 6,700 flights per day to nearly 350 destinations in more than 50 countries.^[8]

American Airlines is a founding member of Oneworld alliance, the third largest airline alliance in the world, and coordinates fares, services, and scheduling with alliance partners British Airways, Iberia, and Finnair in the transatlantic market and with Cathay Pacific and Japan Airlines in the transpacific market. Regional service is operated by independent and subsidiary carriers under the brand name American Eagle.^[9]

American operates out of ten hubs located in Dallas/Fort Worth, Charlotte, Chicago–O'Hare, Philadelphia, Miami, Phoenix–Sky Harbor, Washington–National, Los Angeles, New York–JFK, and New York–LaGuardia. American operates its primary maintenance base at Tulsa International Airport in addition to the maintenance locations located at its hubs. Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is American Airlines’ largest passenger carrying hub, handling 51.1 million passengers annually with an average of 140,000 passengers daily. As of 2017, the company employs over 122,000 people.^[7] Through the airline's parent company, American Airlines Group, it is publicly traded under NASDAQ: AAL with a market capitalization of about $25 billion as of 2017, and included in the S&P 500 index.^[8]

History

American Airlines was started in 1930 via a union of more than eighty small airlines.^[10]

The two organizations from which American Airlines was originated were Robertson Aircraft Corporation and Colonial Air Transport. The former was first created in Missouri in 1921, with both being merged in 1929 into holding company The Aviation Corporation. This in turn, was made in 1930 into an operating company and rebranded as American Airways. In 1934, when new laws and attrition of mail contracts forced many airlines to reorganize, the corporation redid its routes into a connected system, and was renamed American Airlines. Between 1970 and 2000, the company grew into being an international carrier, purchasing Trans World Airlines in 2001.

In 2011, due to a downturn in the airline industry, American Airlines' parent company AMR Corporation filed for bankruptcy protection. In 2013, American Airlines merged with US Airways but kept the American Airlines name, as it was the better recognized brand internationally; the combination of the two airlines resulted in the creation of the largest airline in the United States, and ultimately the world.^[11]

Hubs

Current hubs

American currently operates ten hubs.^[12]

• 
  Dallas/Fort Worth – American's primary hub, and its largest hub in terms of daily flights and number of destinations and American's primary hub for the South.^[13] American currently has about 84% of the market share and flies approximately 57 million passengers through DFW every year, which is about 156,000 people per day making it the busiest airline at the airport.^[13] American's corporate headquarters are also in Fort Worth near the airport.^[13] DFW serves as American's primary gateway to Mexico, and secondary gateway to Latin America.^[13]


• 
  Charlotte – American's second-largest hub in terms of number of destinations and daily flights.^[14] It is American's primary hub for the Southeastern United States.^[14] About 42 million passengers fly through CLT on American every year, or about 115,000 people per day.^[14] American has about 91% of the market share at CLT, making it the airport's largest airline.^[14]


• 
  Chicago–O'Hare – The third-largest hub for American in terms of number of flights and American's primary hub for the Midwest.^[15] About 28 million passengers fly on American through O'Hare every year, or about 77,000 people per day.^[15] American has about 35% of the market share at O'Hare making it the airport's second-largest airline after United.^[15]


• 
  Philadelphia – The fourth-largest hub in terms of number of daily flights, fifth-largest in number of destinations and American's primary East Coast hub.^[16] American flies approximately 20.5 million passengers a year through PHL, which is about 56,000 people per day.^[16] American has about 70% of the market share at PHL, making it the airport's largest airline.^[16] Philadelphia is American Airlines' primary European and transatlantic gateway.^[16]


• 
  Miami – The fifth-largest hub in terms of number of flights and fourth-largest in number of destinations.^[17] About 30 million passengers fly through MIA every year on American, which is about 79,000 people per day.^[17] American has about 68% of the market share at Miami International, making it the largest airline at the airport.^[17] Miami is American's primary South American and Caribbean gateway.^[17]


• 
  Phoenix–Sky Harbor – The sixth-largest hub in terms of number of flights and destinations^[18] and American's primary western hub.^[19] American flies approximately 20 million passengers a year through PHX, which is about 55,000 people per day.^[19] Currently American has about 46% of the market share at PHX, making it the airport's largest airline.^[19]


• 
  Washington–National – The seventh-largest hub for American in terms of number of destinations and flights and American's third hub for the East Coast. The airport also serves as a base for American Airlines Shuttle.^[20] About 12 million passengers fly through DCA on American every year, or about 33,000 people per day.^[20] American has about 49% of the market share at DCA, making it the largest carrier at the airport.^[20]


• 
  Los Angeles – The eighth-largest hub in terms of number of destinations and flights and American's hub for the West Coast.^[21] About 16.5 million passengers fly through LAX on American every year, or about 45,000 people per day.^[21] American has about 19% of the market share at LAX, making it the largest carrier at the airport.^[21] LAX is American Airlines' primary Hawaiian and transpacific gateway.^[21]


• 
  New York–LaGuardia – The ninth-largest hub for American in terms of number of flights, the tenth-largest in number of destinations and American's fourth hub for the East Coast.^[22] About 8.5 million passengers fly through LGA on American every year, or about 23,000 people per day.^[22] The airport also serves as a base for American Airlines Shuttle. American has about 27% of the market share at LGA, and is the second-largest carrier behind Delta.^[22]


• 
  New York–JFK – The tenth-largest hub for American in terms of number of flights, the ninth-largest in number of destinations and American's secondary East Coast hub for international flights.^[23] About 7 million passengers fly through JFK on American every year, or about 19,000 people per day.^[23] American has about 12% of the market share at JFK, making it the third-largest carrier at the airport behind Delta and JetBlue.^[23] Since 2017, American has been reducing its international operations at JFK, opting to expand its Philadelphia hub instead.^[24][25] JFK also serves as a major connecting point for other Oneworld carriers.^[26]

Destinations

As of July 2018, American Airlines flies to 95 domestic destinations and 95 international destinations in 55 countries in five continents.

AA hubs listed by departures (May 2018)^[27]

Rank	Airport	Flights	Destinations
1	Dallas/Fort Worth	811	212
2	Charlotte	674	160
3	Chicago–O'Hare	513	144
4	Philadelphia	421	123
5	Miami	341	130
6	Phoenix–Sky Harbor	268	87
7	Washington–National	255	74
8	Los Angeles	202	68
9	New York City–LaGuardia	173	38
10	New York City–JFK	103	44

Codeshare Agreements

American Airlines codeshares with the following airlines:^[28]

Joint Venture Agreements

In particular, American has joint venture with the following airlines:^[30][31][32]

• British Airways


• Finnair


• Iberia


• Japan Airlines

Fleet

As of July 2018, American Airlines operates a fleet of 956 aircraft,^{[33][better source needed]} making it the largest commercial fleet in the world. It primarily operates a mix of Airbus and Boeing planes, with an assortment of Embraer and McDonnell Douglas aircraft.

Over two thirds of American's aircraft are narrow-bodies, mainly Airbus A320 series and Boeing 737-800s. It also operates Boeing 757s, Embraer 190s, and McDonnell Douglas MD-82/83s, but most of them are planned to be retired by 2019 and 2020 as they will be replaced by the Boeing 737 MAX 8 and the Airbus A321neo aircraft.

Its wide-body aircraft are mainly Boeing airliners. It is the third-largest operator of the Boeing 767 series and the fifth-largest operator of the Boeing 777 series. It also operates the Airbus A330.

On July 20, 2011, American announced an order for 460 narrowbody jets including 260 Airbus A320s.^[34]
The order broke Boeing's monopoly with the airline and forced Boeing into the re-engined 737 MAX.^[35]
As this sale included a Most-Favoured-Customer Clause, the European airframer has to refund any difference to American if it sells to another airline at a lower price, so Airbus can't give a competitive price to competitor United Airlines, leaving it to a Boeing-skewed fleet.^[36]

On April 6, 2018, adding to its previous order for 42, American has ordered an additional 47 Boeing 787 which includes 22 787-8 and 25 787-9, for over $12 billion at list prices.^[37]

Cabins

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Flagship First

Flagship First is American's international first class product. It is exclusively offered on all Boeing 777-300ERs in the fleet.

• Boeing 777-300ER: Fully lie-flat seats with direct aisle access in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration. Seat length: 82 inches (208 cm). Equipped with a 17-inch (43 cm) touchscreen monitor and touchscreen handset, two universal AC power outlets, and USB ports.

Flagship Business

Flagship Business is offered on some Boeing 757-200s and all Airbus A330-200s, Airbus A330-300s, Boeing 767-300ERs, Boeing 777-200ERs, Boeing 777-300ERs, Boeing 787-8s, and Boeing 787-9s.
• Airbus A330: Fully lie-flat Cirrus seats manufactured by Zodiac Seats France and designed by JPA Design for US Airways with direct aisle access in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration. Seat length: 76-80 inches (193–203 cm). Equipped with a 12.1 inch (31 cm) touchscreen monitor, one universal AC power outlet, and USB ports.[1]

• Boeing 757-200 International: Fully lie-flat Diamond seats manufactured by B/E Aerospace and designed for American Airlines in a 2-2 configuration. Seat length: 75–78 inches (191–198 cm). Equipped with Samsung Galaxy Tab™ 10.1 inch (26 cm) tablets, and two universal AC power outlets (one to power the tablet).

• Boeing 767-300ER: Fully lie-flat seats manufactured by Thompson Aero Seating with direct aisle access in a 1-2-1 staggered configuration. Equipped with Samsung Galaxy Tab 10.1 inch (26 cm) tablets, two universal AC power outlets (one to power the tablet), and USB ports.

• Boeing 777-200ER Version 1: Fully lie-flat seats manufactured by Zodiac Seats France, designed for American Airlines, with direct aisle access in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration with front-facing and rear-facing seats. Seat length: 77 inches (196 cm). Equipped with a 16-inch (41 cm) touchscreen monitor and touchscreen handset, two universal AC power outlets, and USB ports.

• Boeing 777-200ER Version 2: Fully lie-flat Super Diamond seats manufactured by B/E Aerospace and designed for American Airlines with direct aisle access in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration. Seat length: 77 inches (196 cm). Equipped with a touchscreen monitor and touchscreen handset, one universal AC power outlet, and USB ports.

• Boeing 777-300ER: Fully lie-flat Cirrus seats manufactured by Zodiac Seats UK, designed by JPA Design for Cathay Pacific, and licensed from Cathay Pacific with direct aisle access in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration. Seat length: 76-80 inches (193–203 cm). Equipped with a 15.4-inch(39 cm) inch touchscreen monitor, one universal AC power outlet, and USB ports.[2]

• Boeing 787-8: Fully lie-flat seats manufactured by Zodiac Seats France and designed for American Airlines with direct aisle access in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration with front-facing and rear-facing seats. Seat length: 77 inches (196 cm). Equipped with a 16-inch (41 cm) touchscreen monitor and touchscreen handset, two universal AC power outlets, and USB ports.

• Boeing 787-9: Fully lie-flat Super Diamond seats manufactured by B/E Aerospace and designed for American Airlines with direct aisle access in a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration. Seat length: 77 inches (196 cm). Equipped with a touchscreen monitor and touchscreen handset, one universal AC power outlet, and USB ports.

Transcontinental

American has dedicated 17 Airbus A321s (A321T) in its fleet for the specific use of flying transcontinental routes between New York JFK – Los Angeles and New York JFK – San Francisco. These aircraft offer two premium cabins, Flagship First and Flagship Business, which are unique among domestic mainline aircraft in American's fleet:

• Flagship First: Fully lie-flat seats manufactured by Zodiac Seats France and designed for American Airlines with direct aisle access in a 1-1 reverse herringbone configuration. Equipped with a 15.4-inch (39 cm) inch touchscreen monitor and touchscreen handset, one universal AC power outlet, and USB ports.

• Flagship Business: Fully lie-flat Diamond seats manufactured by B/E Aerospace and designed for American Airlines in a 2-2 configuration. Seat length: 75–78 inches (191–198 cm). Equipped with a 15.4-inch (39 cm) touchscreen monitor and touchscreen handset, one universal AC power outlet, and USB ports.

Domestic First Class

First Class is offered on all domestic mainline aircraft, as well as regional aircraft with more than 50 seats. When such aircraft are used on flights to international destinations including Canada, Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean, the First Class cabin is branded as Business Class. Seats range from 19–21 inches (48–53 cm) in width and have 37–42 inches (94–106 cm) of pitch.^[38] Dining options include free snacks, beverages, and alcohol on all flights, with three-course meals offered on flights 900 miles (1,448 km) or longer (select routes under 900 miles offer meal service).^[39]

Premium Economy

On December 9, 2015, American announced a new Premium Economy product for most long-haul widebody aircraft. This new product debuted on the new 787-9s in late 2016 and will be retrofitted to all other widebody aircraft within the next three years, excluding 767s due to their upcoming retirement. The seats will be wider than standard Main Cabin seats and will offer 38" of pitch, 2" more than Main Cabin Extra seats, as well as a footrest. Premium Economy customers will also get two free checked bags, priority boarding, and enhanced food and drink service including free alcohol. This product will make American Airlines the first U.S. carrier to offer a four-cabin aircraft.^[40]

Main Cabin Extra

American's economy plus product (not to be confused with premium economy), Main Cabin Extra, is available on most of the mainline fleet and American Eagle regional aircraft with more than 50 seats. Exceptions include a majority of former US Airways aircraft (as of May 2014), US Airways Express regional aircraft, and a handful of 777-200ERs that have yet to be retrofitted. Seats range from 17.2–19.5 inches (44–47 cm) in width and have 34–38 inches (86–97 cm) of pitch, which is 5–6 more inches of pitch offered in regular economy seating.^[38] American retained Main Cabin Extra when the new Premium Economy product entered service in late 2016.^[40]

Main Cabin

Main Cabin is American's economy product, and is found on all mainline and regional aircraft in its fleet. Seats range from 17–18.5 inches (43–47 cm) in width and have 30–32 inches (76–81 cm) of pitch.^[41] Newer aircraft, including all Boeing 777-300ER, refurbished Boeing 777-200ER's, all Boeing 787 Dreamliners, all Airbus A330s, all newly delivered Airbus A319s and most newly delivered Airbus A321s, include seatback TVs, featuring AVOD in each seat.^{[citation needed]} However, American Airlines have decided not to add seatback TVs for the 100 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft that have been ordered^[42]

Basic Economy

American's basic economy product, Basic Economy, is available on select routes. It is American's lowest main cabin fare. Basic economy is located in main cabin, but comes with restrictions. These restrictions include assigned seat at check in, no upgrades or refunds, and boarding in the last group.^[43]

American Airlines marketed increased legroom in economy class as "More Room Throughout Coach", also referred to as "MRTC" starting in February 2000.^[44] Two rows of economy class seats were removed on Boeing 737 and McDonnell Douglas MD-80 aircraft.^[45] Amid financial losses, this scheme was discontinued in 2004.^[45][46]

In May 2017, American announced they would be adding more seats to some of its Boeing 737 MAX jetliners and reducing overall legroom in the basic economy class. The last three rows will lose two inches; going from the current 31 to 29 inches. The remainder of the economy cabin will have 30 inches of legroom. This compares to JetBlue with 34 inches of legroom and Spirit with 28 inches.^[47]

Reward programs

AAdvantage

AAdvantage is the frequent flyer program for American Airlines. It was launched on May 1, 1981, and it remains the largest frequent flyer program with over 67 million members as of 2011. 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, AAdvantage Platinum Pro, 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.^[48]

AAdvantage co-branded credit cards are also available and offer other benefits. The cards are issued by CitiCards, subsidiary of Citigroup in the United States, by MBNA in the United Kingdom and by Butterfield Bank and Scotiabank in the Caribbean.

AAdvantage allows one-way redemption, starting at 5,000 miles.^[49]

Admirals Club

The Admirals Club was conceived by AA president C.R. Smith as a marketing promotion shortly after he was made an honorary Texas Ranger. Inspired by the Kentucky colonels and other honorary title designations, Smith decided to make particularly valued passengers "admirals" of the "Flagship fleet" (AA called its aircraft "Flagships" at the time).^[50] 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.^{[citation needed]}

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.^{[citation needed]} 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,^[51] the Club (and most other airline lounges) switched to a paid membership program.

Flagship Lounge

Though affiliated with the Admirals Club and staffed by many of the same employees, the Flagship Lounge is a separate lounge specifically designed for customers flying in First Class and Business Class on international flights and transcontinental domestic flights, as well as AAdvantage Executive Platinum, Platinum Pro, and Platinum, as well as Oneworld Emerald and Sapphire frequent flyers. As of January 2018, Flagship Lounges are located at four airports: Chicago-O'Hare, Miami International, Los Angeles and New York-JFK.^[52]

Corporate affairs

Headquarters

American Airlines is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, adjacent to the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport.^[53] The headquarters is located in two office buildings in the CentrePort office complex and these buildings together have about 1,400,000 square feet (130,000 m²) of space. As of 2014^[update] over 4,300 employees work at this complex.^[54]

Before it was headquartered in Texas, American Airlines was headquartered at 633 Third Avenue in the Murray Hill area of Midtown Manhattan, New York City.^[55][56] In 1979, American moved its headquarters to a site at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, which affected up to 1,300 jobs. Mayor of New York City Ed Koch described the move as a "betrayal" of New York City.^[57] American moved to two leased office buildings in Grand Prairie, Texas.^[58] On January 17, 1983, the airline finished moving into a $150 million ($369,000,000 when adjusted for inflation), 550,000-square-foot (51,000 m²) facility in Fort Worth; $147 million (about $361,000,000 when adjusted for inflation) in Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport bonds financed the headquarters. The airline began leasing the facility from the airport, which owns the facility.^[58]

As of 2015, American Airlines is the corporation with the largest presence in Fort Worth.^[59]

In 2015, the airline announced it will build a new headquarters in Fort Worth. Groundbreaking began in the spring of 2016 and occupancy is scheduled for summer 2019.^[60] The airline plans to house 5,000 new workers in the building.^[59]

It will be located on a 41-acre (17 ha) property adjacent to the airline's flight academy and conference and training center, west of Texas State Highway 360, 2 miles (3.2 km)^[60] west from the current headquarters. The airline will lease a total of 300 acres (120 ha) from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and this area will include the headquarters.^[59] Construction of the new headquarters began after the demolition of the Sabre facility previously on the site.^[60]

The airline considered developing a new headquarters in Irving, on the Texas Stadium site, before deciding to keep the headquarters in Fort Worth.^[59]

Branding

In 1931, Goodrich Murphy, an American employee, designed the AA logo.^[61] The logo was redesigned by Massimo Vignelli in 1967.^[62][63] Thirty years later, in 1997, American Airlines was able to make its logo Internet-compatible by buying the domain AA.com. AA is also American's two-letter IATA airline designator.

On January 17, 2013, American launched a new rebranding and marketing campaign with FutureBrand dubbed, "A New American". This included a new logo replacing the logo used since 1967. American Airlines calls the new logo the "Flight Symbol, incorporating the eagle, star, and the letter “A” of the classic logo.^[64]

On June 3, 2016, American Airlines sought to register their 2013 logo with the United States Copyright Office.^[65] However, in October of that year, the Copyright Office ruled that the logo was ineligible for copyright protection, as it did not pass the threshold of originality.^[65] American submitted multiple requests for the Copyright Office to reconsider their determination. However, on January 8, 2018, the Copyright Office made a final decision that affirmed its initial determination that American's new logo was ineligible for copyright protection and is thus in the public domain.^[65][66]

American's early liveries varied widely, but a common livery was adopted in the 1930s, featuring an eagle painted on the fuselage.^[67] 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.

In the late 1960s, American commissioned designer Massimo Vignelli 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; instead, Vignelli created a highly stylized eagle, which remained the company's logo until 2013. In 1999, American painted a new Boeing 757 (N679AN) in its 1959 international orange livery. One Boeing 777 and one Boeing 757 were painted in standard livery with a pink ribbon on the sides and on the tail, in support of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. One Boeing 757 is painted with a yellow ribbon on the tailfin on the aircraft and on the side of the body says "Flagship Freedom". American Eagle, the airline's regional airline has the same special livery on ERJ-145 aircraft.

On January 17, 2013, American unveiled a new livery.^[68] Before then, American had been the only major U.S. airline to leave most 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.^[69]

In January 2013, American launched a new rebranding and marketing campaign dubbed, "The New American". In addition to a new logo, American Airlines introduced a new livery for its fleet. The airline calls the new livery and branding "a clean and modern update".^[64] The current design features an abstract American flag on the tail, along with a silver-painted fuselage, as a throw-back to the old livery. The new design was painted by Leading Edge Aviation Services in California.^[70] Doug Parker, the incoming CEO indicated that the new livery could be short-lived, stating that "maybe we need to do something slightly different than that ... The only reason this is an issue now is because they just did it right in the middle, which kind of makes it confusing, so that gives us an opportunity, actually, to decide if we are going to do something different because we have so many airplanes to paint".^[71]

In the end, American let its employees decide the new livery's fate. On an internal website for employees, American posted two options, one the new livery and one a modified version of the old livery. All of the American Airlines Group employees (including US Airways and other affiliates) were able to vote.^[72] American ultimately decided to keep the new look. Parker announced that American would keep a US Airways heritage aircraft in the fleet, with plans to add a heritage TWA aircraft and a heritage American plane with the old livery.^[73]

Labor unions

• The Allied Pilots Association (APA) is an in-house union which represents the nearly 15,000 American Airlines pilots; it was created in 1963 after the pilots left the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA).^[74] The majority of American Eagle pilots are ALPA members.^[75]


• The Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) represents American Airlines flight attendants, including former USAirways flight attendants.^[76]


• Flight Attendants at American wholly owned Regional Carriers (Envoy – former American Eagle), Piedmont and PSA are all represented by Association of Flight Attendants – Communications Workers of America (AFA-CWA). USAirways Flight Attendants were active members of AFA-CWA prior to the merger. They are honorary lifetime members. AFA-CWA is the largest Flight Attendant Union in the industry and is operated by Flight Attendants.


• The Transport Workers Union-International Association of Machinists alliance (TWU-IAM) represents the majority of American Airlines employed fleet service agents, mechanics and other ground workers.^[77]


• American's customer service and gate employees belong to the Communications Workers of America/International Brotherhood of Teamsters Passenger Service Association.^[78]

Environmental record

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.^[79]

American Airlines' wastewater treatment plant recycles water used at the base to wash aircraft, process rinse water tanks, and irrigate landscape. That alone has saved almost $1 million since 2002. In addition to that, American Airlines has also won the award for the reduction of hazardous waste that saved them $229,000 after a $2,000 investment. A bar code system is used to track hazardous waste. It has led to reduction of waste by 50 percent since 2000.^[80]

Accidents and incidents

As of January 2018, the airline has had almost sixty aircraft hull losses due to all causes since the crash of an American Airways Ford 5-AT-C Trimotor in August 1931.^[81][82] Of these most were propeller driven aircraft, including three Lockheed L-188 Electra turboprop aircraft (of which one, the crash in 1959 of Flight 320, resulted in fatalities).^[82] Seventeen jet aircraft have been written off due to crashes – including Flight 587 in 2001, Flight 965 in 1995, Flight 191 in 1979, Flight 1 in 1962 and two aircraft destroyed in the September 11 attacks – and other accidents (such as the Flight 383 engine failure and fire in 2016); two of these were training flights in which only the crew were killed and six resulted in no fatalities.^[82] Another four jet aircraft have been written off due to incidents while they were parked between flights or while undergoing maintenance.^[82]

In popular culture

• In the 1960s, Mattel released a series of American Airlines Stewardess Barbie dolls.^[83]


• Throughout the 1990s, American Airlines was featured in John Hughes' Home Alone trilogy of movies.^[84][85]


• In August 2008, in a Season 2 episode of Mad Men (Episode 2, titled "Flight 1"), Pete Campbell's father is a passenger on American Airlines Flight 1 which crashes shortly after takeoff from Idlewild Airport (now John F. Kennedy International Airport), killing all the passengers and crew on board.


• American Airlines was a sponsor of a travelogue segment of the Univision show Sábado Gigante titled La Cámara Viajera.


• American Airlines was extensively featured in the 2009 movie Up in the Air as part of a marketing tie-in between the airline and Paramount Pictures.^[86]


• In 2013, American Airlines collaborated with Disney to promote Planes by featuring a cameo appearance of a passenger airliner named Tripp, with the American Airlines livery to promote its new image.^[87]


• 
  Airport 1975 used a Boeing 747-123 Freighter (cargo variant) s/n 20390 (registration N9675), leased from American Airlines.^[88]

See also

• AAirpass


• Air transportation in the United States


• List of airlines of the United States


• List of airports in the United States

References

Further reading

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External links

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Air travel in the United States.

• 
  Official website (Mobile)
  
  • "American Airlines is Social" – Links to official Facebook, Google+ and Twitter


• Official American Airlines Vacations website


• 
  American Way inflight magazine


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  Timetableimages.com has many timetables from the 1930s until 1967, showing where American flew, how often, how long it took and how much it cost.


• 
  Edward Russell (20 Feb 2018). "Interview: Doug Parker, chief executive, American Airlines". Flightglobal.