Tag Archives: N717AN

American Airlines announces cargo-only flights to help keep business moving

American Airlines made this announcement:

American Airlines is utilizing its currently grounded passenger aircraft to move cargo between the United States and Europe, ensuring the world’s goods continue to get where they need to go.

The first cargo-only flight departs from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) on March 20, landing at Frankfurt Airport (FRA) on March 21. The Boeing 777-300 will operate two round trips between DFW and FRA over the course of four days, carrying only cargo and necessary flight personnel. This is the first scheduled cargo-only flight since 1984 when American retired the last of its Boeing 747 freighters.

The 777-300 has 14 cargo positions for large pallets and can carry more than 100,000 pounds. The four scheduled flights this weekend are expected to be booked to capacity and transport medical supplies, mail for active U.S. military, telecommunications equipment and electronics that will support people working from home, and e-commerce packages. The flights provide much-needed cargo capacity for many of the airline’s regular cargo customers, allowing them to continue operating in this challenging environment.

Air cargo has always played a key role in times of crisis, delivering lifesaving medical supplies and materials to keep the world’s infrastructure intact. In the face of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, this role has never been more important as the world relies more on e-commerce to support basic needs during quarantines and social distancing. The airlines’ role is deemed a critical infrastructure industry by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Cargo-only flights, while not carrying customers, continue to require a group effort from American’s team members across every function. From the first call to a customer to the last cargo offloaded from the plane, team members and vendor partners contribute to these efforts.

Domestically, American continues to carry cargo on all of its planes. The smaller narrowbody aircraft are especially vital in supporting the world’s economy, delivering medicine and e-commerce goods. This week the airline also transported its first shipment of COVID-19 test kits from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Chicago O’Hare Airport. American continues to work to provide solutions for our customers and world governments to protect the public health and keep the global economy moving during this time of need.

In other news, American also made this announcement:

As coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to impact every corner of our world, American Airlines is temporarily closing and consolidating its premium clubs and lounges in direct response to changes in demand and government mandate.

American is consolidating Admirals Club lounges in airport locations where multiple clubs exist. Changes made to alcohol service and food being consumed outside of the lounges have been made to meet government mandate.
Beginning Friday, March 20, Flagship First Dining and Flagship Lounges will temporarily close, as American has reduced international travel by more than 75% in response to demand.

Flagship Lounges

Flagship Lounges in Chicago (ORD), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Los Angeles (LAX) and Miami (MIA) will be closed in response to significantly reduced international demand and reduced international flying. The Flagship Lounge at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) will temporarily covert to Admirals Club service. Admirals Club guests will be able to access the lounge for Admirals Club grab-and-go service.

Flagship First Dining at DFW, LAX, MIA and JFK will also close. Those guests will be welcomed into Admirals Club lounges.

Domestic changes, as of 8:30 p.m. Central include:

*Note all times are local

Atlanta (ATL)
Hours have been reduced in response to demand. Operating hours are now 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Austin, Texas (AUS)
Hours have been reduced in response to demand. Operating hours are now 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Per government mandate, all food will be served to-go and may be consumed on the premises.

Boston (BOS)
Hours have been reduced in response to demand. Operating hours are now 5 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Per government mandate, alcohol will not be served to guests during this time. All food will be served to-go and may be consumed on the premises.

Charlotte, North Carolina (CLT)
The Admirals Club at Concourse B will temporarily close. The Admirals Club at Concourse C will operate under the reduced hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Per government mandate, alcohol will not be served to guests during this time. All food will be grab-and-go and cannot be consumed on the premises.

Chicago (ORD)
The Flagship Lounge will close temporarily. Admirals Club lounges located in Concourse G and Concourse L are temporarily closed. The Admirals Club in Concourse H/K will remain open, but with the reduced hours of 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW)
Flagship First Dining and Flagship Lounge in Terminal D and the Admirals Club in Terminal B will temporarily close. The Admirals Club lounge in Terminal E is temporarily closed. Admirals Club lounges in terminals A, C and D will remain open.

Terminal A: 5 a.m.–9 p.m.
Terminal C: 4 a.m.–9 p.m.
Terminal D: 5 a.m.–10:15 p.m. (no change)

Denver (DEN)
The Admirals Club will operate from 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Houston (IAH)
The Admirals Club will operate from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Per government mandate, all food will be grab-and-go and cannot be consumed on the premises.

Los Angeles (LAX)
Flagship First Dining and Flagship Lounge will be temporarily closed. The Admirals Club in Terminal 5 and the Eagle Regional Terminal are temporarily closed. Guests can continue to use the Admirals Club lounge at Terminal 4 from 4 a.m. to midnight.

Miami (MIA)
Flagship First Dining and Flagship Lounge will be temporarily closed. The Admirals Club located at Gate D15 is temporarily closed. Guests will be welcomed at the Gate D30 Admirals Club from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Per government mandate, alcohol will not be served to guests during this time.

Nashville (BNA)
The Admirals Club will operate from 6:45 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.

Newark, New Jersey (EWR)
The Admirals Club will operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Per government mandate, alcohol will not be served to guests during this time. All food will be grab-and-go and cannot be consumed on the premises.

New York (JFK)
The Admirals Club located near Gate 42 is temporarily closed. The Flagship Lounge near Gate 12 will temporarily be converted to Admirals Club service and operate from 4 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Per government mandate, alcohol will not be served. All food will be grab-and-go and cannot be consumed on the premises.

To follow government mandate closing all restaurants, Flagship First Dining will be closed.

New York (LGA)
Operating hours will be 5 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Per government mandate, alcohol will not be served to guests during this time. All food will be grab-and-go and cannot be consumed on the premises.

The Service Center is temporarily closed. Guests can continue to utilize the Admirals Club in Concourse D.

Orange County, California (SNA)
The Admirals Club will operate from 5:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Per government mandate, all food will be served as to-go items and cannot be consumed on the premises.

Orlando, Florida (MCO)
The Admirals Club will operate from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Per government mandate, alcohol will not be served to guests during this time.

Philadelphia (PHL)
The Admirals Club at Terminal A and Terminal F will be temporarily closed. The Terminal B/C Admirals Club will remain open with reduced operating hours, 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Per government mandate, alcohol will not be served to guests during this time. All food will be served as to-go items and may be consumed on the premises.

Phoenix (PHX)
The Admirals Club located near Gate B5 will be temporarily closed, and guests will be welcomed to Admirals Club lounges located near Gate A7 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Gate A19 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Per government mandate, all food will be served to-go and may be consumed on the premises.

Pittsburgh (PIT)
The Admirals Club will operate from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Per government mandate, alcohol will not be served to guests during this time. All food will be served as to-go items and cannot be consumed on the premises.

Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina (RDU)
The Admirals Club will operate from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Per government mandate, alcohol will not be served to guests during this time. All food will be grab-and-go and cannot be consumed on the premises.

St. Louis (STL)
The Admirals Club will operate from 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

San Diego (SAN)
The Airspace Lounge will temporarily close beginning Friday, March 20, at 7 p.m.

San Francisco (SFO)
The Admirals Club will operate from 5 a.m. to midnight. Per government mandate, all food will be prepackaged and may be consumed on the premises.

Tampa, Florida (TPA)
The Admirals Club will operate from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Washington (DCA)
The Admirals Club at Terminal B will temporarily close. The Admirals Club at Terminal C will operate from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

International temporary changes

Admirals Club lounges in Paris (CDG), Rio de Janeiro (GIG), Buenos Aires (EZE) and São Paulo (GRU) are closed. The Tokyo Narita Japan (NRT) Admirals Club was previously scheduled to permanently close at the end of March.

Mexico City (MEX)
The Admirals Club will operate from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Toronto (YYZ)
The Admirals Club will operate from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Friday and from 5:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.

London (LHR)
The Arrivals lounge hours have been temporarily reduced. The International First Class Lounge will be closed temporarily. Flagship guests will be welcomed into the Admirals Club and will be offered a complimentary menu.

Above Copyright Photo: American Airlines Boeing 777-323 ER N717AN (msn 31543) PAE (Nick Dean). Image: 949429.

American Airlines aircraft slide show:

American Airlines and British Airways to operate four daily flights between Los Angeles and London Heathrow starting on March 28, 2015

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) has announced it will add more service between Los Angeles and London (Heathrow) beginning in March 2015. The new flight will be operated with three-class Boeing 777-300 ERs.

With four daily direct flights to London Heathrow – two operated by American with its flagship 777-300 ERs and two by American’s Atlantic joint business partner British Airways (London) with its Airbus A380s.

LAX-LHR (four times per day, year round, all times local)

The new 5:55 p.m. (1755) LAX to LHR nonstop begins on March 28, 2015.

During 2014, American has expanded its LAX hub with new twice-daily service to Vancouver, Canada (YVR), daily nonstop service to Edmonton, Canada (YEG) and San Antonio, Texas (SAT). American launches new daily nonstop service to Tampa, Florida (TPA), on Nov. 5 and three daily nonstop flights to Atlanta (ATL) on March 5, 2015. With these new destinations, American will serve 55 domestic and international destinations from LAX. Earlier this month, American also submitted a motion to the U.S. Department of Transportation asking it to reallocate an underutilized U.S.-Tokyo Haneda (HND) frequency to American, which American would use to operate year-round service between LAX and HND.

Copyright Photo: SPA/AirlinersGallery.com. American’s Boeing 777-323 ER N717AN (msn 31543) climbs away from London’s Heathrow Airport.

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American bankruptcy trustee questions the $19.9 severance package for CEO Tom Horton

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) is facing a new round of questioning in the bankruptcy court to further explain the large $19.9 million severance package afforded to departing CEO Tom Horton. According to this report by Reuters, Trustee Tracy Hope Davis is asking the carrier to explain the large settlement and also the “sweeping changes” to its employee pay programs under the Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

Top Copyright Photo: Brian Peters. Boeing 777-323 ER N717AN (msn 31543) arrives at the large Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport hub.

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Bottom Copyright Photo: American Airlines. Outgoing AA CEO Tom Horton.

American Airlines and US Airways receive a DOJ request for additional information for its proposed merger

AMR Corporation (Dallas/Fort Worth), the parent company of American Airlines, Inc. (Dallas/Fort Worth), and US Airways Group, Inc. (the parent of US Airways) (Phoenix) announced that, on March 4, 2013, each company received a request for additional information (Second Request) from the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) in connection with the proposed merger of the two airlines.

A DOJ Second Request is a standard part of the regulatory process. A Second Request extends the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, during which the parties may not close the transaction, until 30 days after American Airlines and US Airways have substantially complied with the Second Request (or the waiting period is otherwise terminated by the DOJ). American Airlines and US Airways expect to respond promptly to the Second Request and to continue working cooperatively with the DOJ as it conducts its review of the proposed combination. American Airlines and US Airways continue to expect the combination to be completed in the third quarter of 2013.

The merger is conditioned on the approval by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, regulatory approvals, approval by US Airways shareholders, other customary closing conditions, and confirmation and consummation of the Plan of Reorganization.

Copyright Photo: Wingnut. American Airlines’ Boeing 777-323 ER N717AN (msn 31543) in the new look made its first appearance at London (Heathrow) yesterday.

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US Airways:

American signs a new sale-lease back agreement with ILFC for Boeing aircraft including 15 737-800s and one 777-300 ER

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) and International Lease Finance Corporation (ILFC) announced today both companies have entered into an agreement for the purchase and leaseback of an additional 15 new Boeing 737-800 and one new 777-300 ER aircraft.

The Boeing 737 aircraft are scheduled for delivery between May 2013 and December 2014. The Boeing 777 widebody aircraft is forecasted to be delivered in the second half of March 2013. ILFC and American had entered into a previous sale-leaseback agreement for 15 Boeing 737-800 Next Generation aircraft in 2011. The final delivery of those aircraft was completed in 2012 and they are operating today.

Copyright Photo: Terry Wade. The pictured Boeing 777-323 ER N717AN (msn 31543) on its final approach at London (Heathrow) was delivered on December 11, 2012 becoming the first of the type for AA.

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American Airlines takes delivery of its first Boeing 777-300 ER, will introduce finally a new livery

American Airlines (Dallas/Fort Worth) yesterday (December 11) accepted its first new Boeing 777-323 ER (N717AN, msn 31543). The airliner was painted without markings in a gray and silver metallic paint. American Airlines will finish painting the aircraft in a new livery. This is the first color scheme change since the current brand was first designed and painted in 1968 and introduced fleet-wide in 1969. It was the longest running airline livery in the world of a major airline. The new type will be introduced on the Dallas/Fort Worth-Sao Paulo route on January 31. American has nine more copies to come. AA issued this statement:

American Airlines on December 11 took delivery of its first Boeing 777-300 ER (Extended Range) aircraft, another step in its plan to create the industry’s most modern fleet. American is the first U.S. airline to order and take delivery of the Boeing 777-300 ER, which will give American’s fleet additional network flexibility, while delivering increased efficiency and better operating economics.

American’s 777-300 ER, was delivered without the traditional American livery, marks the beginning of the airline’s brand new fleet type and points toward the airline’s future. Inside, the cabin is configured with three classes, featuring lie-flat seats in First and Business Class.

The Dallas/Fort Worth-Sao Paulo route, scheduled for January 31, 2013, will be the first to feature the newest addition to American’s fleet. Subsequently, the aircraft is slated to fly to London Heathrow from both Dallas/Fort Worth and New York JFK.

The modern new aircraft will feature a freshly painted livery on the outside. Upon boarding, American customers will be invited inside through a dramatic archway and ceiling treatment and mood lighting, to continue the modern experience and the look and feeling of spaciousness. A walk-up bar in the premium cabin stocked with snacks and refreshments will be a first for any U.S. airline and adds another distinctive luxury feature to the 777-300 ER. Entertainment options include up to 120 movies, more than 150 TV programs and more than 350 audio selections that will be offered throughout the aircraft. Also, every seat will feature individual 110-volt AC power outlets and USB jacks for charging personal electronic devices.

Will this new livery survive a merger? If American merges with US Airways and US Airways management takes over will they see this color scheme as an emblem of the past AA management or will they want another new fresh design of their own? Stay tuned for the unveiling.

American Airlines is expected to emerge from Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization in January and a possible merger with US Airways could also be announced in January. January will be a watershed month for AA with at least a new brand and a new aircraft type.

Meanwhile, CEO Tom Horton wants a quick resolution of whether the company will merge with US Airways or emerge from Chapter 11 as a stand-alone carrier according to this report by Reuters.

Read the full report: CLICK HERE

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