American Airlines (AA)
“The world’s greatest flyers fly American.”
Declared ‘Airline of the Year’ by Air Transport World (ATW) in 2017, American Airlines is among the most distinguished international airlines in the world. Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, the reputed airline operates an extensive network of international and domestic flights together with its regional travel partners. It is famed for being the largest airline in the world.
About American Airlines
American Airlines is one of the world’s most recognizable aviation brands. Its loyalty program and advantages are also well-known and popular among frequent flyers. Add to that the convenience of having such a large presence, as well as its numerous partners, American Airlines provides nearly everything a frequent flyer could want.
The world’s largest airline did not emerge overnight. American Airlines’ humble beginnings can be traced back to 1926. At the time, “American Airlines” was merely a generic brand name for many small independent carriers. In 1930, Robertson Aircraft Corporation and Colonial Air Transport merged their fleets of around 80 small planes to form American Airways. The airline was a success and expanded quickly. By 1961, American Airlines (AA) was the world’s second-largest carrier, trailing only Russian airline Aeroflot.
American Airlines merged with various carriers over the next 90 years, including US Airways in 2015. With this amazing American Airlines history it became the world’s largest airline, a title it still holds today. American Airlines now serves approximately 350 destinations worldwide and operates a fleet of over 900 aircraft.
A Brief History of American Airlines
One of the most reputed airlines in the world, American Airlines (AA) was started by a union of more than 80 small airlines in the year 1930. The very first American Airlines flight was flown in the year 1926 by Charles Lindbergh. The craft carried mail to Chicago, Illinois from St. Louis, Missouri. The airline began to take shape into what it currently is after mail routes of about 8 years. The airplane DC-3 which changed the airline industry entirely was created by American Founder C.R. Smith who worked in collaboration with Donald Douglas. American Airlines (AA) was purchased in 2013 by US Airways which decided to retain its original name owing to the airline’s international repute. This merger led to the creation of the largest airline in not just the United States but also the world.
Current Hubs of American Airlines
American Airlines, the world’s largest airline, serves as a hub around 9 US cities and 10 airports in the United States. The parent company, American Airlines Group, has its headquarters at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in Texas. American Airlines is the world’s largest airline, flying to over 350 destinations and operating 917 aircraft. Let’s know about American Airlines hubs as it has several hubs, which are listed below:
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- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport
- Los Angeles International Airport
- Miami International Airport
- John F. Kennedy International Airport
- La Guardia Airport
- Philadelphia International Airport
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
- Ronald Reagon Washington National Airport
American Airlines carries passengers from these to various destinations across the world and in massive volumes. In terms of passenger volume, American Airlines is the leading US airline carrier to Cuba. It’s also the only US carrier that operates flights to Brasilia, Barranquilla, Belo Horizonte, Caracas, Cali, Cap-Haitien, Fort-de-France, La Paz, Guayaquil, Montevideo, Manaus, Maracaibo, Pointe-e-Pitre, Santa Cruz de la Sierra, San Salvador (Bahamas), and Varadero.
American Airlines’ Fleet
American Airlines (AA) operates a total of a 1,536-aircraft fleet as of March 2018. This makes it one of the largest commercial fleets in the world with a mix of Boeing, Airbus, McDonnell Douglas, and Embraer aircraft. Apart from operating the Airbus A330, American Airlines is known to be the third-largest operator of the famed Boeing 767 airliners and the fifth largest-operator of Boeing 777 airliners.
Services offered by American Airlines
- AAdvantage
Launched in May 1981, AAdvantage is American Airlines’ famed frequent flyer program. This incredible frequent flyer program remains the largest one with a total number of members estimated to be well over 67 million as of 2011. The benefits of enrolling in AAdvantage are endless. You’ll be able to use your miles for flights to around 1000 destinations across the world, upgrades, hotels, car rentals, and other retail products.
- Domestic First Class
With a total of about 50 seats, First Class is offered on all regional and domestic mainline aircraft. When these aircraft are used for international travel, First Class is branded as Business Class. Free snacks, alcohol, and beverages are included in dining options on all flights. On flights that are 900 miles or longer, three-course meals are offered.
- Premium Economy
Expected to be available on the new A350 aircrafts in 2018, Premium Economy was announced by American for widebody long-haul aircraft. The seats are expected to be wider than the traditional main cabin ones. An advantage for Premium Economy customers is that they’ll be able to take along two free checked bags, enjoy priority boarding, get free alcohol, and avail enhanced food and drinks services.
- Main Cabin
The economy product of American Airlines (AA), Main Cabin is found on all regional and mainland aircraft. Newer aircraft include TVs on the seatback and AVOD on each seat. However, for the newly ordered 100 Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft, American Airlines have decided that they will not be adding seatback TVs.
- Main Cabin Extra
Available on American Eagle regional aircraft and most of the mainland fleet with more than 50 seats, this is the Economy plus product of American Airlines. Exceptions to this service include a major number of US Airways Express regional aircraft, US Airways aircraft, and a couple of 777-200s that are yet to be retrofitted.
- Basic Economy
Available on a select few routes, Basic Economy is the lowest possible main cabin fare of American Airlines (AA). While airfares may be less, this service comes with a couple of restrictions such as no overhead bin access, seats being assigned after check in, and no refunds or upgrades among other things. American Airlines added Basic Economy recently again after having once discontinued it in 2004.
- Admirals Club and Flagship Lounge
Switched to a paid membership program in the recent years, a membership at the Admirals Club was by the airline’s invitation only before. The Flagship Lounge, on the other hand, is staffed by many of the same employees and affiliated with the Admirals Club. It has been designed specifically for flyers of First Class international flights as well as domestic transcontinental flights. It is also meant for frequent flyers associated with Oneworld Emerald and AAdvantage Executive Platinum of American Airlines (AA).
What are the benefits of flying American Airlines?
- American Airlines serves a wide range of destinations throughout Europe, the Caribbean, South America, Australia, and New Zealand.
- American Airlines flights are available on a regular basis throughout the week, and you can fly directly to a variety of destinations at reasonable prices.
- Traveling in the airline’s flagship First and Business classes grants you access to a dedicated lounge, as well as priority boarding and luggage handling.
- American Airlines is one of the world’s largest airlines, with flights to destinations both within and outside the United States, including South America, Australia, the Caribbean, and New Zealand.
- Onboard, all Main Cabin passengers receive complimentary snacks and non-alcoholic beverages.
- American Airlines’ seats recline more, and there is more legroom even in the Main Cabin.
- You can also use the in-flight entertainment system, which includes music, games, and the latest movies, to name a few options.
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