Helpful Guide to Flying With American Airlines
American Airlines is a major legacy airline that is headquartered out of Forth Worth, Texas.
It flies to 50 countries throughout the world as well as all regions of the United States.
American Airlines is one of the largest airlines in North America and the world.
History of American Airlines
Early Days Of American Airlines
American Airlines got its start thanks to Charles Lindbergh. In 1926, Lindbergh who was a part of the Robertson Aircraft Corporation flew mail between St.Louis Missouri, and Chicago, Illinois, and generated the first revenue for the company that would become American Airlines. At the time, many air carriers started delivering mail while devoting a small portion to passenger service.
American Airways, as the brand was known back then was made up of over 80 airlines spread across the Midwest, Northeast, and Southwest United States.
In 1934, American Airways was purchased by E.L. Cord and rebranded to become American Air Lines. In 1936, it became the first airline in the United States to profit by only flying passengers. Most other airlines needed to supplement passenger service with mail delivery to break even on the flight. American offered a daily overnight transcontinental flight between New York and Los Angeles stopping in Dallas Fort Worth. This route was made possible by its aircraft (known as flagship) Douglas DC-3.
American Airlines also cooperated with the construction of LaGuardia Airport just outside of New York City. They built the first airline lounge by an American air carrier which access was restricted to invitation only but then opened up to anyone willing to pay a membership due.
The Jet Age
American Airlines ushered in the jet age by initially purchasing and then canceling an order of the British-built DeHavilland Comet. This “would-be” jet aircraft was replaced in 1959 by the Boeing 707. The Boeing 707 was a capable aircraft with 4 jet engines that could fly transcontinentally nonstop. Its first route was American’s famous New York Idlewild (known today as JFK Airport) to Los Angeles.
During the 1960s American also put in a request for an aircraft that was a widebody, however smaller than the Boeing 747 and capable of departing and landing from smaller runways. Towards the late 1960s and early 1970s, America acquired the DC-10, a widebody tri-jet, and scheduled them to be used on their Los Angeles to Chicago routes.
1980’s and 1990’s
American Airlines changed its operations model to a hub and spoke system centered out of its new headquarters location in Dallas Fort Worth, Texas. There was also much emphasis on increasing its route network abroad, with many flights to Europe being offered from Dallas as well as Chicago O’Hare.
During these times much of the airline market was in turmoil with nearly 150 airlines going out of business. However, American Airlines came out unscathed. The only real adversity was during the 1990’s when American Airlines pilots went on strike to increase their wages.
In 1999, American Airlines partnered with British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Canadian Airlines, and Qantas to form Oneworld. This global alliance allows passengers to fluidly travel the world via the different airlines with the best customer service possible.
2000’s and Beyond
American Airlines faced its first economic hardship post-September 11th, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. Two American aircraft were hijacked and used during the attacks.
In 2008, American Airlines faced more economic hardship thanks to the global recession and the pains that caused the airline industry. Employees were laid off, bases were closed, and flight offerings were reduced in some areas.
During the mid-2010’s American Airlines merged with U.S Airways creating the largest airline in the world at the time. However, the merger did provide American Airlines with more headaches like onboarding an aging all U.S Airways Airbus fleet with a predominantly aging Boeing American Airlines fleet creating duplicity.
Attempts were made to upgrade this fleet around the start of the 2020s with the inclusion of the Boeing 737 Max however those aircraft were all grounded due to manufacturing issues. The COVID-19 pandemic also wreaked havoc on American Airlines forcing the company to sustain an 8.9 billion loss, the largest ever in its history.
Quick Facts About American Airlines
Year Founded: 1926
Years of Operation: 97 years
Airline Type: Major
Call Sign: AMERICAN
Website: https://www.aa.com/
American Airlines Aircraft Fleet
American Airlines has a total of 930 aircraft. The American Airlines Group also owns regional airline commodities called Envoy Air, Piedmont Airlines, and PSA Airlines. Each of these regional carriers operates under the American Eagle brand.
American Airlines most commonly flies the Boeing 737-800, Airbus A321-200, and Airbus A319-100.
Boeing 737-800
The 737-800 is a popular narrow-body jetliner that is designed for short to medium-haul flights. It can seat up to 189 passengers and has a range of over 3,000 miles.
If you want to learn more about American’s Boeing 737, view our guide here.
Airbus A321-200
The Airbus A321-200 is a popular commercial aircraft that is known for its comfort and efficiency. It features spacious interiors, advanced technology, and low fuel consumption, making it a popular choice for airlines worldwide.
Airbus A319-100
The A319-100 is a popular single-aisle jetliner designed for short to medium-haul flights. It can seat up to 156 passengers and has a range of over 3,700 miles.
American’s Passenger Classes
Flagship First
Flagship First is American Airlines’ most luxurious passenger class, offering top-notch amenities and personalized service. Passengers in Flagship First enjoy spacious seating, gourmet meals, and exclusive access to premium lounges, providing a truly elite travel experience.
Flagship Business
Similar to Flagship First, Flagship Business provides a high-end travel experience with luxurious amenities and dedicated service. While not as exclusive as Flagship First, this class still offers premium seating, gourmet dining, and access to premium lounges, catering to the comfort and needs of business and leisure travelers.
First Class
First Class on American Airlines provides a comfortable and upscale travel experience with priority boarding, spacious seats, and enhanced meal options. Passengers in First Class enjoy premium services, creating a more relaxed and enjoyable journey for those seeking a touch of luxury.
Business
American Airlines Business Class offers a refined and comfortable travel experience, featuring priority boarding, spacious seating, and upgraded meal options. It caters to the needs of business travelers and those seeking extra comfort during their flights.
Premium Economy
Premium Economy provides an elevated travel experience with extra legroom, wider seats, and enhanced amenities compared to standard economy class. It offers a middle-ground option for passengers who desire more comfort than economy but may not require the full luxury of business or first class.
Main Cabin Extra
Main Cabin Extra provides an upgraded experience within the economy class, offering additional legroom and priority boarding. It is a cost-effective option for passengers looking for a bit more comfort without the premium price tag.
Main Cabin
The Main Cabin is American Airlines’ standard economy class, providing essential amenities and services for a comfortable journey. Passengers in the Main Cabin enjoy a range of in-flight services, making it an accessible choice for a wide range of travelers.
Basic Economy
Basic Economy is American Airlines’ budget-friendly option, offering the essential services for a no-frills travel experience. While it provides a more economical fare, passengers in Basic Economy have some limitations, such as restricted seat selection and boarding.
American Airlines Flights Routes and Operations
American Airlines Hubs and Focus Cities
American Airlines utilizes the following locations as its hub or focus cities.
1. Charlotte (KCLT)
2. Chicago–O’Hare (KORD)
3. Dallas/Fort Worth (KDTW)
4. Los Angeles (KLAX)
5. Miami (KMIA)
6. New York City – Kennedy (KJFK)
7. New York City – KLGA (KLGA)
8. Philadelphia – (KPHL)
9. Phoenix Sky Harbor – (KPHX)
10. Washington – National (KDCA)
American Airlines Most Popular Routes
These are American Airlines’ 10 top most popular routes based on the number of times the route is offered.
- Dallas Fort Worth to Los Angeles
- Dallas Fort Worth to Austin
- Dallas Fort Worth to Phoenix
- Dallas Fort Worth to San Antonio
- Dallas Fort Worth to Miami
- Charlotte to Orlando
- Dallas Fort Worth to Chicago
- Dallas Fort Worth to Las Vegas
- Miami to Washington D.C
- Tampa to Charlotte
Is American Airlines a Safe Airline to Fly On?
American Airlines is known to be a safe airline for flying, following strict rules and safety standards set by aviation authorities. They have modern and well-kept planes with the latest safety features. American Airlines also spends a lot of effort on regular checks to make sure everything is in good shape. The pilots and crew members are experienced and go through tough training programs to keep everything safe for passengers. The airline is serious about safety and follows rules that are important for making sure flying is secure and trustworthy.
One important thing that helps keep American Airlines safe is following the rules of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA watches and regulates airlines in the United States to make sure they follow really strict safety standards. American Airlines always meets these rules, getting certifications and approvals from aviation authorities. The airline’s good safety record shows how much they care about keeping passengers safe and making flying a good choice.
Besides doing things to keep flights safe, American Airlines makes sure to talk with passengers about anything that might affect their travel. They share information about the weather, any changes to flights, and safety rules. This helps passengers feel like they can trust the airline and have confidence in their travel experience. In the end, American Airlines is known for being a safe and reliable choice for flying.
Sources
https://www.flightconnections.com/route-map-american-airlines-aa
