American and its regional brand, American Eagle, operate to more than 350 destinations in over 60 countries. Over the years, the airline has commemorated several industry firsts, such as hiring the first black commercial airline pilot in the US and the first female commercial pilot in the US. The carrier is also credited for being the first to launch a loyalty program for any major airline and the first to introduce airport lounges. Currently, Americans employ around 130,000 people around the globe.
Its international and domestic operations are supported by ten hubs: six on the East Coast, two in the Midwest, and two on the West Coast.
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
- LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
- Miami International Airport (MIA)
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
- Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
- Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA)
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
1 Establishing operations
Occurred in 1926
Although American officially commenced operations in the 1930s, its humble beginnings date back to when legendary aviator Charles A. Lindbergh flew his DH-4 biplane with a bag of mail from St. Louis, Missouri to Los Angeles. Lindbergh was chief pilot of Robertson Aircraft Corporation formed in 1921; eight years later it merged with Colonial Air Transport forming The Aviation Corporation.
In 1930 it was renamed American Airways but did not last long:
As new laws came about ending mail contracts by 1934 several airlines were forced reorganize their operations,
American had restructure routes making them more connected,
Thus renaming itself again into what we know today as "American Airlines",
Beginning operation sleeping berth equipped Curtiss Condor biplanes between New York-Chicago.
2 Douglas Aircraft Company's relationship
From 1930–1936
One main element early growth success lay within relationship Douglas Aircraft Company then CEO C.R Smith pioneered development DC3 after successful DC2 according Museum Flight approached manufacturer develop new plane maintaining speed reliability profitability DC2 comfort sleeping planes.
This innovation created DC3 having several new features compared predecessor:
Longer wider fuselage rounded sides,
Enlarged wings tail surfaces,
New nose section landing gear,
First airline fly DC3 commercial service New York-Chicago.
3 Purchase Trans World Airlines
Occurred 2001
American grew larger beginning acquiring bankrupt Trans World Airways TWA third final time filed bankruptcy purchased AMR Corporation April before operating last flight December during seventy year history transformed aviation developing largest hub St Louis Lambert STL transatlantic JFK.
STL hub closed merger given strong presence less than three hundred miles northeast ORD remnants legacy still live today:
Boeing painted special livery dedication hotel located preserving global operations.
4 US Airways Merger
Occurred 2013 completed 2015
Challenges recession rising fuel costs severely impacted left searching lifeline merging Tempe Arizona based Group parent company ultimately forming largest involved many management executives taking retaining name better recognized brought significant changes:
Operating Airbus adopted mainly flying Boeing keeping existing hubs PHX DCA CLT PHL.
5 “The New American”
Established 2013
Ushering many changes keep international brand afloat refreshed modern look unveiled marketing campaign introducing harmonizing legacy aircraft planes featuring bare metal fuselages red white blue stripes reduced weight paint scheme primarily silver large lettering side abstract flag tail redesigned painted entire fleet former CEO Doug Parker wanted ensure heritage lived special liveries:
Four other wearing throwback paint schemes Reno Air AirCal Astrojet previously polished metal five A321s Allegheny Piedmont PSA America West interestingly revived former mainline versions ultimately now wholly owned regional operating under Eagle brand.
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