Tag Archives: American Airlines

American Airlines partners with the Gary Sinise Foundation to host 20th annual Snowball Express

American Airlines announced on December 4 that it has joined forces once again with the Gary Sinise Foundation (GSF) to support the annual Gary Sinise Foundation Snowball Express. Now in its 20th year, the annual event is dedicated to honoring the families of both fallen U.S. military service members and first responders.

Over two weeks in December, American will donate 16 charter aircraft and millions of AAdvantage^® miles to bring more than 2,600 family members to Walt Disney World Resort for an all-expenses-paid experience. Families will travel from 29 departure cities across the globe — spanning Alaska and Hawaii to Germany, Guam and more.

Airport team welcomes young travelers ahead of their flight.

Team members wave farewell to families ahead of the departure.

On Saturday, Dec. 6, American will coordinate air and ground transportation for nearly 1,600 families of fallen military heroes. Ten charter flights will depart from 21 cities across the country, heading to Orlando International Airport (MCO). One week later, on Saturday, Dec. 13, six additional charter flights will transport approximately 1,000 family members of fallen First Responders from eight departure cities.

“The mission of Snowball Express is to unite the families of the fallen and create new happy memories during the holiday season. This is just one of many ways American continues to honor the families of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice,” said Randy Stillinger, American’s Manager of Military and Veterans Initiatives. “Through our partnership with the Gary Sinise Foundation, we want to remind these families that their loved ones’ service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”

Snowball Express families boarding flight.

Team members and volunteers welcome families to MCO airport.

Each year, more than 1,000 American Airlines team members dedicate their time to bring this magical event to life. This includes pilots and flight attendants who donate their days off as well as airport teams who organize special send-off ceremonies and memorable inflight experiences. Their dedication reflects American’s ongoing commitment to honoring the legacies of those who have served, while supporting their families with compassion, care and a bit of holiday cheer this season.

American Airlines honors veterans with a month of service and support

In recognition of Veterans Day and in celebration of the service and sacrifice of our nation’s heroes, American Airlines supported a series of events throughout the month of November to honor and celebrate those who served.

These efforts are part of American’s ongoing commitment to the U.S. Armed Forces community, including military veterans and active-duty service members. Events throughout the month of November included:

Salute to Service with the Los Angeles Chargers (Nov. 9)
As the presenting sponsor of the L.A. Chargers’ annual Salute to Service game, American presented the Military Hero of the Game. Bill Dillon, a 101-year-old World War II veteran and the last surviving member of the USS Sailfish, was honored on field. Dillon is a decorated hero, having received two Bronze Stars and contributed to the development of the first GPS system and the launch of the United States’ first space satellite.
Faces of Freedom with the Texas Rangers (Nov. 13)
In partnership with the Texas Rangers Baseball Foundation, American hosted veterans for a three-day trip to Washington, D.C., as part of the Rangers’ Faces of Freedom program presented by American Airlines. Established in 2022, the Faces of Freedom program seeks to honor past and present members of the U.S. military. This year’s trip included 15 veterans representing four branches of the U.S. military, with recipients of the Purple Heart and Operation Enduring Freedom medals among them.
Salute to the Troops in Las Vegas (Nov. 14)
In partnership with USO and MGM Resorts International, American flew 75 service members from Washington, D.C., to Las Vegas for a weekend filled with sightseeing, dinners, shows and a concert by actor and singer-songwriter Mark Collie, seen in the hit TV show “Landman.”
Seats for Heroes with the Dallas Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles (Nov. 23)
American, along with its partners at the Dallas Cowboys, hosted 40 military patients from Brooke Army Medical Center (BAMC) in San Antonio, Texas, for a VIP game day experience. American operated a private charter to transport attendees to Dallas-Fort Worth where they were greeted with a heroes’ welcome upon arrival and enjoyed the game in a private suite.
Welcoming Home Vietnam Veterans (Nov. 28)
American supported a journey of remembrance for 10 veterans returning to Saigon, Vietnam, in collaboration with Veterans United Home Loans and actor/humanitarian Gary Sinise. The 10-day trip allowed the group to retrace their steps and reflect on their experiences more than 50 years after their service. The group, which included one of 61 living recipients of the Medal of Honor, was welcomed home with a celebration at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW).

Throughout the entire year, American is proud to honor active service members and veterans — including more than 11,000 of its own team members.

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American delivers on Thanksgiving with 80,759 flights to be operated during the holiday period

American Airlines and its regional partners will operate 80,759 scheduled flights this Thanksgiving travel period, larger than 2024 and the biggest schedule of any airline worldwide.

American Airlines looks forward to delivering a reliable Thanksgiving operation this year as it moves past the industrywide flight disruptions caused by the government shutdown. Despite this disruption, the airline has continued to deliver for its customers and has staged a strong recovery.

“The Thanksgiving holiday period is one of the most condensed and most important for our customers — the stakes are high, and the American team is ready to deliver,” said David Seymour, American’s Chief Operating Officer. “Customers making last-minute holiday plans — and those who booked months ago — can rest assured that our operation will run smoothly and safely. In the spirit of giving thanks: We’re thankful for everyone who worked hard to get us through several difficult weeks, especially our team members and federal aviation workers.”

American’s operation stood out, delivering industry-leading on-time departure and arrival performance among the three major network carriers from Sunday, Nov. 9 through Saturday, Nov. 15. With the termination of the FAA’s flight reduction order, customers can expect all flights to operate as scheduled. The airline fully expects this resilient streak of strong operational performance to continue into its Thanksgiving travel period. The airline and its regional partners will operate nearly 81,000 flights during this period, which runs from Nov. 20 through Dec. 2.

“As American approaches the busy holiday season, our operation is delivering an on-time and reliable operation,” said Heather Garboden, American’s Chief Customer Officer. “Our customers can count on American to get them to the Thanksgiving table, giving them the certainty they deserve in their travel plans this holiday.”

American’s 2025 Thanksgiving operation

A larger schedule: American and its regional partners will operate 80,759 scheduled flights this Thanksgiving travel period, larger than 2024 and the biggest schedule of any airline worldwide.

Peak travel days: Sunday, Nov. 30, will be the most traveled day, followed by Monday, Dec. 1.

Extra capacity: Special late-night flights have been added at Phoenix (PHX) and Chicago (ORD) on Nov. 30 to help customers return from the holiday.

Keeping bags moving: American expects to handle nearly 5.6 million checked bags during the holiday period, continuing its record-breaking baggage handling performance.

Peak operations: At 11:10 a.m. CT on Dec. 1, 1,077 mainline and regional aircraft will be enroute, the highest number during the travel period.

Fun fact: The Boeing 777-300ER, American’s largest aircraft, has a maximum takeoff weight of 775,000 lbs., equal to about52,000 15-lb turkeys.

Making change count: American Airlines honors flight attendants powering UNICEF’s mission

American Airlines announced:

American Airlines recently recognized nine flight attendants as Champions of the Year for their dedication to the UNICEF Change for Good (CFG) program. These volunteers, known as Champions for Children, went above and beyond by collecting extra U.S. and foreign currencies from customers on international and Hawaii flights to support UNICEF’s global mission to help children in need.

Since launching the program in 1994, American Airlines and its customers have raised more than $18 million for UNICEF through Change for Good. These funds have helped improve and save the lives of countless children by:

Delivering vaccines and medicines to prevent deadly diseases
Providing nutritional support to fight malnutrition
Supplying clean water and sanitation facilities to communities in need
Supporting education programs and safe learning environments
Responding rapidly to emergencies, such as natural disasters and conflicts

Every cent collected on board helps UNICEF reach children in more than 190 countries with critical health care, education and protection services.

American brings more learning and laughs to the skies

With more than 1,500 hours of carefully curated movies, TV shows and audio content, American Airlines is elevating the inflight experience for every traveler. From reality TV favorites and beloved children’s stories to the latest educational and family-friendly content, American’s expanded entertainment lineup offers something for every mood, moment and customer on board.

Fun for every age: From toddlers to teens

American now offers even more ways for families to keep little travelers entertained from takeoff to touchdown. For the youngest travelers, “Hey Bear Sensory” videos, filled with colorful animations and rhythmic music, have become a hit among babies and toddlers. And now, a new partnership with Lingokids adds a fresh layer of fun and learning for children ages 2-8.

Through engaging songs, stories and games, Lingokids encourages curiosity, creativity and early language skills. With 10 hours of series, songs and craft videos to choose from, kids will be able to make time fly with fun, safe and educational content. This is just another way American is helping families enjoy a stress-free, screen-happy journey for everyone on board.

American brings Harry Potter to the skies

Last year, American launched its partnership with Audible and has since brought new literary experiences to the skies. Starting in December, customers can immerse themselves with exclusive access to the first five chapters of “Harry Potter^™ and the Sorcerer’s Stone.” American is the only U.S.-based airline to offer this unique listening experience, bringing magic to the skies and setting a new standard for inflight storytelling.

From the exploration of Muhammad Ali’s life and legacy in “Ali in Me,” to meditation guides and self-help options, there is an audiobook for every kind of listener.

Bravo, indeed!

Pop culture lovers, rejoice. The launch of American’s new Bravo channel means customers can now enjoy their favorite reality hits, from culinary competitions to stylish, drama-filled reunions, all at 35,000 feet.

Whether it’s catching up on “Top Chef,” reliving iconic “Real Housewives” moments or sailing through the high seas on “Below Deck,” it’ll provide customers the perfect dose of Bravo energy.

Endless choices on any flight

From must-watch blockbusters to timeless classics, chart-topping albums, podcasts and language learning, American’s inflight entertainment offers content for every traveler on every journey. Available on seatback screens or on personal devices, customers can explore the full entertainment lineup ahead of their flight at entertainment.aa.com.

Because no matter who our customer is, or how they like to pass their time in the skies, American is making sure there’s something great waiting for them on board.

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American outlines its Thanksgiving travel plans with over a 1,000 planes airborne on December 1

American’s 2025 Thanksgiving operation

A larger schedule: American and its regional partners will operate 80,759 scheduled flights this Thanksgiving travel period, larger than 2024 and the biggest schedule of any airline worldwide.

Peak travel days: Sunday, Nov. 30, will be the most traveled day, followed by Monday, Dec. 1.

Extra capacity: Special late-night flights have been added at Phoenix (PHX) and Chicago (ORD) on Nov. 30 to help customers return from the holiday.

Keeping bags moving: American expects to handle nearly 5.6 million checked bags during the holiday period, continuing its record-breaking baggage handling performance.

Peak operations: At 11:10 a.m. CT on Dec. 1, 1,077 mainline and regional aircraft will be enroute, the highest number during the travel period.

Fun fact: The Boeing 777-300ER, American’s largest aircraft, has a maximum takeoff weight of 775,000 lbs., equal to about 52,000 15-lb turkeys.

American Airlines welcomes the Airbus A321XLR to the fleet

American Airlines is “suite-ening” its premium cross-country experience with the debut of the Airbus A321XLR in its fleet. Customers can purchase tickets now on aa.com and via American’s mobile app for the inaugural flight — flight AA3 on Dec. 18, 2025 from New York (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX).

American received delivery of its first A321XLR with a three-cabin layout on Oct. 22, arriving directly from Airbus’ Hamburg, Germany, aircraft assembly line.

Each A321XLR will feature 20 Flagship Suite^® seats, 12 Premium Economy seats and 123 Main Cabin seats. The aircraft will initially operate on U.S. transcontinental routes, offering customers American’s newly debuted Flagship Suite^® lie-flat seats that elevate travel with privacy doors, more personal storage space, a wireless charging pad, cocktail tray and a personal reading light.

As American takes delivery of more A321XLR aircraft, the type will expand to other routes, including international service in the first half of 2026, with additional details coming soon.

As part of the Flagship Suite^® service, customers receive Priority check-in, security, boarding and baggage handling as well as access to the Greenwich Lounge^™ experience at JFK that offers elevated dining and unique cocktails in a luxurious, relaxing atmosphere.

Inflight Flagship Suite^® service also offers a multicourse meal curated to pair with award-winning wines, premium amenity kits containing an array of luxury skincare items and a comfy duvet blanket accompanied with a refreshing dual-sided pillow with cool touch fabric on one side and traditional fabric on the other.

Customers who choose the airline’s new Premium Economy seats on the XLR will enjoy an enhanced winged headrest for increased privacy, calf and footrests for relaxing comfort, wireless charging and enhanced dining with hot meal entrees. On board, customers will find a personal amenity kit with premium skincare products and can comfortably rest with an Ostrichpillow^® lumbar pillow and crepe weave blanket.

All photos by American Airlines.

American Airlines aircraft photo gallery (Airbus):

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American Airlines elevates the inflight and lounge experiences with new Lavazza coffee partnership

American Airlines is raising the bar on inflight and lounge hospitality with the introduction of Lavazza coffee, a globally celebrated Italian brand known for its premium blends. For the first time, American customers will enjoy a consistent coffee experience both on the ground and in the air. This partnership reflects American’s commitment to curated excellence throughout the travel experience.

Lavazza, a family-owned Italian brand since 1895, is dedicated to crafting exceptional coffee experiences that reflect a legacy of expertise, passion and innovation. For the last 130 years, Lavazza has been at the forefront of coffee craftsmanship, blending time-honored Italian traditions with modern techniques to create premium coffees that are rich, balanced and universally admired. Today, its premium blends are served in top restaurants and hotels around the world, making it a natural fit for American’s elevated hospitality offering. By partnering with Lavazza, American is bringing a globally respected name in coffee to its customers — one that aligns with the airline’s focus on refined offerings and exceptional service throughout the journey.

Beginning in early 2026, American Airlines travelers will be able to enjoy Lavazza’s premium coffee blends across all cabins in flight and at American’s Flagship^® and Admirals Club^® lounges across the system. This exclusive rollout marks a significant step in American’s continued evolution of the premium travel experience.

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First Look: American Airlines unveils special Flagship livery ahead of centennial year

With just six months to go until American Airlines officially celebrates its centennial, the airline is unveiling a special livery that will begin flying in November on a Boeing 777-300 registered as N735AT. This special Flagship^® livery blends one of the airline’s original liveries with a modern flair as American will upgrade the aircraft to feature a new, more luxurious interior.

“American has thoughtfully chosen a design that evokes our rich history while looking ahead to our next 100 years,” said Ron DeFeo, American’s Chief Communications Officer. “Throughout American’s history, ‘Flagship^®’ has always been recognized as our premium travel experience. Our renewed focus on the customer experience is making premium travel better than ever across all aspects of our customers’ travel journeys. Painting the original Flagship^® design on our Flagship^® aircraft is a powerful way to honor that legacy while embracing the future.”

American Airlines (Flagship Detroit Foundation) Douglas DC-3-178 NC17334 (msn 1920) “Flagship Detroit” MIA (Bruce Drum). Image: 100050.

Behind the design

At the base of the livery is the airline’s Silver Eagle^® paint color, which is currently found on more than 1,600 aircraft in American’s mainline and regional fleet. Across both sides of the aircraft, the iconic orange lightning bolt motif makes its bold reappearance after first debuting nearly 90 years ago on the Douglas DC-3. The DC-3 captivated passengers with American’s first foray into premium air travel experiences that the airline is now taking to new heights with its Boeing 777-300 aircraft flying to far-flung international destinations including Australia, Japan, the United Kingdom and beyond.

When American took delivery of new DC-3 aircraft, they were named based on cities the airline served at the time. In keeping with tradition, American will name this aircraft “Flagship DFW” as an homage to the airline’s home and largest hub.

Toward the rear of the aircraft, customers will notice a roundel featuring one of the most recognizable motifs from American’s history: the eagle connecting the world. American flies to more than 350 global destinations today and operates more flights carrying more customers than any other airline in the world — a reminder of how far the airline has come since its first flight in 1926.

The Flagship Knoxville housed in the American Airlines CR Smith Museum in Fort Worth, Texas.

Since American first took delivery of passenger aircraft in the 1930s, the airline has been known for offering an elevated “Flagship” experience first on board coast-to-coast transcontinental routes and today also includes the airline’s long-haul international network.

While customers recognize American’s premium Flagship^® lounges and Flagship^® Business class that have welcomed travelers for years, they will continue to enjoy the Flagship^® experience next year, when the airline begins refreshing the interior of its Boeing 777-300 fleet to include Flagship Suite^®seats.

American continues to focus on elevating the onboard customer experience to deliver a modern travel journey. After making their debut earlier this summer, the Flagship Suite^® seats, Premium Economy and upgraded Main Cabin products continue to earn rave reviews from customers and are part of the airline’s commitment to innovation. Highlights include:

The Flagship Suite^® seats are American’s first-ever onboard business class product featuring privacy doors, wireless charging pads and a one-of-a-kind chaise lounge seating option with an adjustable headrest pillow.
American is the first U.S. carrier to introduce wireless charging in Premium Economy, which includes the introduction of new headrest wings and new calf and footrests for enhanced comfort.
Main Cabin customers will experience the airline’s elevated international inflight experience, including 4K QLED screens — the first in the U.S. to be introduced in this cabin — and USB-C and AC power.

These upgraded amenities will also be featured on board refreshed 777-300s next year, featuring 70 Flagship Suite^® seats and 44 Premium Economy seats.

American’s Flagship Suite^® debuted on newly designed Boeing 787-9 aircraft this summer and will be on refreshed Boeing 777-300.

Be a part of American’s centennial

For more than 100 years, American has taken to the skies with timeless, iconic designs, and now, key moments from its rich history are available for purchase. The American Airlines Brand Store features a curated selection of historic advertising, vintage imagery and exclusive centennial-branded merchandise. Perfect for the holiday season, these keepsakes and gifts honor the legacy of aviation and design that has defined American for generations. Merchandise collections will continue to expand throughout the centennial year, offering even more ways to commemorate this milestone.

Video:

American Airlines slide show (historic liveries):

Millennial milestone: American Airlines receives 1,000th mainline aircraft

As American prepares to hit the century mark, the airline has reached a milestone, receiving its 1,000th mainline aircraft. The premium Boeing 787-9 aircraft with American’s recently launched Flagship Suite^® seats arrived at Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) on Aug. 29.

Since April, American has received eight premium Boeing 787-9 aircraft and has a total of 30 on order. The aircraft currently operates on Chicago (ORD) to London Heathrow (LHR), ORD to Los Angeles (LAX) and Philadelphia (PHL) to LHR routes.

With the addition of more premium Boeing 787-9s to its fleet, American plans to expand the Flagship Suite® product on more flights to LHR next year. American will continue to offer the newly designed Boeing 787-9 next year on flights to LHR from ORD and PHL and will introduce service from DFW in November. The Flagship Suite® seat provides customers with a private, premium travel experience, featuring privacy doors, wireless charging pads and a cozy, one-of-a-kind chaise lounge seating option.

Customers flying in American’s premium Flagship Suite® cabin can relax comfortably with duvets, slippers and a dual-sided pillow with cool-touch fabric while refreshing themselves with luxury skin and beauty products in American’s thoughtfully designed amenity kits. Inflight Flagship Suite® service offers a multicourse chef-inspired meal paired with award-winning wines and delectable snacks sure to fulfill those midflight munchies.

In the coming months, American will offer customers the premium travel experience of the Boeing 787-9 on select flights from DFW to Auckland, New Zealand (AKL); Brisbane, Australia (BNE); and Buenos Aires, Argentina (EZE) along with flights between PHL and Zurich (ZRH).

American Airlines aircraft slide show (Boeing, current livery:

American Airlines aircraftn photo gallery (Boeing):