Tag Archives: 737-823

American Airlines’ flight attendants call for the State of Florida to drop out of the DOJ lawsuit

American Airlines‘ (Dallas/Fort Worth) flight attendants, represented by the APFA, are putting political pressure on those states which are joining with the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to oppose the American-US Airways (Phoenix) merger. APFA is particularly focusing on Attorney General Pam Bondi from the State of Florida. American has a large international hub at Miami International Airport. The union issued this statement:

In the wake of Tuesday’s announcement by Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott that he would withdraw from the lawsuit to block the merger of American Airlines and US Airways, the flight attendants at American are calling on Pam Bondi and attorneys general from five other states to do the same.

“Florida, particularly South Florida, is home to about 2,500 American flight attendants that are in need of good wages and long term job security, but General Bondi is standing in the way of that,” said APFA President Laura Glading. “Pam Bondi’s participation in the Justice Department’s antitrust lawsuit demonstrates a lack of understanding of what the merger means for her constituents. Everyone – business travelers, tourists, and airline employees – stand to benefit from the new American. We were able to explain that to General Abbott in Texas and we’d like to do the same in Florida.”

Unable to compete with United and Delta, which had recently merged with Continental and Northwest, respectively, American Airlines was forced into Chapter 11 bankruptcy in November of 2011. It is clear that in order for American to be competitive, it needs to merge with US Airways. The merger plan has had the strong support of employees at both companies since its inception. Unfortunately, the US Department of Justice and attorneys general from seven states and the District of Columbia filed an eleventh-hour lawsuit to block the merger in August of this year.

The new American Airlines will offer consumers more destinations and a better product. It will also give flyers a third choice – in addition to Delta and United – for their travel needs. Finally, the merger will provide much-needed job security for approximately 100,000 employees nationwide, 11,650 of whom live in Florida.

Last week, members of Florida’s congressional delegation sent a letter to General Bondi urging her to support the merger. The letter was authored by Rep. Alcee Hastings and signed by Reps. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Ted Deutch, Lois Frankle, Frederica Wilson, Joe Garcia, and Patrick E. Murphy.

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-823 N965AN (msn 29544) of American arrives in deadlocked Washington (Reagan National).

American Airlines:

US Airways:

The DOJ objects to handing over its merger analysis documents to American Airlines-US Airways

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) (Washington) has asked the special master handling discovery disputes to limit the number of documents it must turn over to American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) and US Airways (Phoenix). The DOJ is suing both carriers to block their effort to merge. All parties are currently in the discovery phase. According to this report by Reuters, the DOJ objects to the airlines’ request to turn over all confidential internal documents relating to all previous airline merger requests in the past 10 years.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Marcelo F. De Biasi/Airlinersgallery.com. Boeing 737-823 N804NN (msn 29567) lands at Washington’s Reagan National Airport, across the Potomac River from the contentious and gridlocked District of Columbia.

American Airlines:

US Airways:

AMR and US Airways Group extend their merger agreement

AMR Corporation (Dallas/Fort Worth), the parent company of American Airlines, Inc., (Dallas/Fort Worth) and US Airways Group, Inc. (Phoenix), the parent of US Airways (Phoenix), have each agreed to extend the outside date at which either party may terminate the previously announced Agreement and Plan of Merger (the Merger Agreement), in light of the trial schedule surrounding litigation with U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

In a joint statement, Tom Horton, chairman, president and CEO of AMR, and Doug Parker, chairman and CEO of US Airways, said, “The Boards and management teams of AMR and US Airways remain committed to completing this combination to create the new American, and the extension of this outside date is a reflection of this commitment. Our focus is on mounting a vigorous defense and winning our court case so the new American can enhance competition, provide better service to our customers and create more opportunities for our employees.”

The amended Merger Agreement extends the date on which either AMR or US Airways may terminate the Merger Agreement from December 17, 2013 to the later of January 18, 2014, or, if the Court enters an order on or before January 17, 2014 in favor of American and US Airways, on the 15th day following the entry of such order. In the event of an unfavorable ruling by the Court, AMR or US Airways may terminate the merger agreement five days after the Court enters a final, but appealable, order permanently enjoining the merger.

Top Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. American’s Boeing 737-823 N925NN (msn 31169) prepares to touch down at Washington’s Reagan National Airport.

American Airlines:

US Airways:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Jay Selman/AirlinersGallery.com. US Airways’ Embraer ERJ 190-100 IGW N961UW (msn 19000183) taxies to the runway at the Charlotte hub.

Bankruptcy court approves the American-US Airways merger pending government approval

AMR Corporation (American Airlines) (Dallas/Fort Worth) has secured an approval from U.S. bankruptcy judge Sean Lane yesterday for its merger with US Airways. However the merger requires a resolution with the Department of Justice which is going to court to block the proposed merger with the US Airways Group.

The judge also denied a clause that would pay outgoing CEO Tom Horton $19.9 million in severance pay.

Read the full story from Reuters: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. Boeing 737-823 N970AN (msn 30096) completes its final approach into Washington’s Reagan National Airport.

American Airlines:

November 25 set as the trial date in the American – US Airways merger request

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) and US Airways (Phoenix) will go to trial on November 25 against the Department of Justice, six states and the District of Columbia. U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly set the trial date. The date was sooner than the DOJ wanted which means they will have to do their research much faster.

The DOJ, the six states and DC entered the lawsuit in the court on August 13 to block the proposed merger. This trial will probably serve as one of the final hearings in the merger request since the DOJ is critical in any approval. In other words, a judge could determine the fate of the two airlines.

The airlines are likely to argue that Southwest Airlines (which was not counted in the original DOJ data) is a formidable competitor and a merger is necessary to stay competitive against WN and other fast-growing ultra low fares carriers like Spirit Airlines and Allegiant Air (they have a good point). They are also likely to argue that air fares have gone up not as a result of the recent mergers but continuously rising fuel costs.

The DOJ meanwhile would prefer to compare the AA-US merger against the previous mergers of United Airlines-Continental Airlines and Delta Air Lines-Northwest Airlines and their international routes.

The other critical point bound to be discussed in detail at the trial is the slots the proposed merged carrier will have at Washington’s super high yield Reagan National Airport. The new AA would be a super carrier at DCA if the merger is now approved. AA-US will likely have to give up more concerning DCA.

Lawyers for both sides are likely to exchange millions of documents according to this report by Reuters. If you are an airline route analysis junkie, this is the “trial of the century”.

As many as 50 people could testify at the trial. Will other airline CEOs testify at the trial?

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Top Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. American’s Boeing 737-823 N989AN (msn 33205) prepares to land at Dulles International Airport in Virginia near Washington, DC.

American Airlines:

Have you seen the “new look” AirlinersGallery.com?

US Airways:

Bottom Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing/AirlinersGallery.com. US Airways’ Airbus A321-231 N535UW (msn 3993) climbs away from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.

DOJ rejects AA-US request for a November trial, still wants a March trial

The Department of Justice (DOJ) (Washington) has rejected the request of American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) and US Airways (Phoenix) for a speedier trial on November 12 on its merger request. The DOJ and six states and the District of Columbia (DC) have filed a lawsuit to block the merger. The DOJ and this group still want a March 2014 trial because of the research required.

Read the full story from USA Today: CLICK HERE

Copyright Photo: Brian McDonough/AirlinersGallery.com. American Airlines’ Boeing 737-823 N968AN (msn 30095) arrives at the number one hot spot in the merger fight, Washington’s slot-controlled Reagan National Airport.

American Airlines:

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American Airlines and Alaska Airlines move closer with a new codeshare agreement

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) and Alaska Airlines (Seattle/Tacoma) announced today that the two airlines are strengthening their relationship by adding new codeshare routes that will offer customers even more choices and benefits when traveling throughout the United States. The codeshare flights are available for purchase today for travel beginning Feb. 7, 2013.

The codeshare expansion will allow American to place its code on 22 new Alaska routes that provide Bay Area travelers with access to Hawaii and will increase the options for transcontinental flights for travelers in the Pacific Northwest and San Diego to Boston, Washington, D.C. and Orlando, Fla. Under the agreement, Alaska will place its code on 19 American routes, which will provide better access for Alaska customers on flights between Los Angeles and U.S. cities such as Washington, D.C., Orlando and Houston. Additionally, Alaska customers will gain better access between the Pacific Northwest and 11 new cities throughout Texas via American’s Dallas/Fort Worth hub. In all, Alaska customers will gain access to 13 new destinations.

American and Alaska Airlines already have an established and successful frequent flier program relationship in place allowing members to earn and redeem miles on each other’s flights. In addition, the miles Alaska Airlines Mileage Plan members earn on American Airlines flights count toward elite status qualification and elite status members can receive their elite status bonus miles on American Airlines flights. Likewise, the miles American Airlines AAdvantage^® members earn on Alaska Airlines flights count toward elite status qualification and elite status members can receive their elite status bonus miles on Alaska Airlines flights. Elite members are also eligible for priority check-in and boarding as well as waived baggage charges for two checked bags when traveling on each other’s flights. Elite Level Mileage Plan members have access to preferred seating when traveling on American Airlines and AAdvantage Executive Platinum and AAdvantage Platinum members have access to preferred seating when traveling on Alaska Airlines or its affiliates.

Copyright Photo: Michael B. Ing. Newly-painted Boeing 737-823 N908NN (msn 31157) in the new livery ferries from Los Angeles (LAX) to Orange County-Santa Ana (SNA) as flight AA 1125.

American Airlines:

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American Airlines to operate seasonal Chicago O’Hare-Cozumel service

American Airlines Boeing 737-823 WL N951AA (msn 29538) (Astrojet) MIA (Brian McDonough), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) is launching new service from Chicago (O’Hare) to Cozumel, Mexico. The Saturday-only service will begin on Saturday, February 12, 2011 and will run through April 2, 2011. The flight will return to American’s schedule for the winter season in November 2011.

The new route will be flown using American’s 160-seat Boeing 737-800 aircraft, which offers 16 First Class Seats and 144 Economy Class seats.

From Chicago, American also offers service to other destinations in Mexico – Acapulco, Cancun, San Jose del Cabo, Puerto Vallarta and, starting on December 16, daily nonstop service to Mexico City.

American Airlines to recall 545 flight attendants and 250 pilots

American Airlines Boeing 737-823 WL N936AN (msn 29532) DCA (Bruce Drum) (35 more 737-800s ordered), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) today announced that it is sending recall notices to 545 flight attendants and 250 pilots. Several factors contributed to the company’s ability to recall, primarily its efforts to capitalize on new international flying and business opportunities with British Airways and Iberia, continuing to strengthen its cornerstone hubs, and preparing for it’s pending alliance with Japan Airlines.

The first group of 25 pilots will be recalled in mid-November, and the company will continue to recall at a rate of approximately 30 per month. For flight attendants, recall notices will be sent in phases. The first notices will be issued to approximately 225 flight attendants this month; subsequent notifications will follow later in the year.

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Boeing 737-823 N936AN (msn 29532) completes the river approach at Reagan National Airport in Washington.

American Airlines orders 35 additional Boeing 737-800s

American Airlines Boeing 737-823 WL N936AN (msn 29532) DCA (Bruce Drum) (35 more 737-800s ordered), originally uploaded by Airliners Gallery.

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) announced an order for 35 additional Next-Generation Boeing 737-800s, to be delivered in 2011 and 2012.

The 35 newly ordered 737s will be in addition to the 84 new 737s that began entering American’s fleet in April 2009, when the Company launched its replacement plan for its DC-9-82/83 narrowbody fleet.

The 737-800s are equipped with Aviation Partners Boeing Blended Winglets.

Including the 35 new orders and 84 737s that began arriving in 2009, American expects to have a total of 195 737-800s in its narrowbody fleet by the end of 2012.

On the financial side, AMR Corporation, the parent company of American Airlines, reported a net loss of $10.7 million for the second quarter of 2010, or $0.03 per share, compared to a net loss of $390 million, or$1.39 per share, in the second quarter of 2009.

Copyright Photo: Bruce Drum. Boeing 737-823 N936AN (msn 29532) completes the river approach at Washington (Reagan National).