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American Airlines

Major US airline

American Airlines is the largest airline globally, with a vast network of flights to hundreds of destinations. It is a founding member of the Oneworld alliance and operates out of 10 hubs, including its largest hub at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. Employing over 100,000 staff, the airline serves over 200 million passengers annually.

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United Airlines Delta Air Lines Boeing British Airways Korean Air Airplane Etihad Airways Airbus American Express American Civil War

Timeline

First Airmail Flight by Charles A. Lindbergh

On April 15, 1926, Charles A. Lindbergh flew a bag of mail from Chicago to St. Louis in his DH-4 biplane, marking the first airmail flight. This event eventually led to the consolidation of various aviation companies to form American Airlines.

Formation of American Airlines

American Airlines was formed in 1930 through a merger of 80 carriers. It has since merged with several other carriers, including Trans Caribbean Airways, Air California, Reno Air, Trans World Airlines (TWA), and US Airways.

Design of AA Logo by Goodrich Murphy

In 1931, Goodrich Murphy, an American employee, designed the AA logo for American Airlines as an entry in a logo contest. The eagle in the logo was inspired by a Scottish hotel brochure.

Introduction of DC-3 by American Airlines

C.R. Smith collaborated with Donald Douglas to develop the DC-3 aircraft, which became a pioneering aircraft for American Airlines, operating the first commercial service between New York and Chicago.

First Flight of Douglas DC-3

The prototype Douglas DC-3, developed after a request from American Airlines CEO C. R. Smith to Douglas Aircraft Company founder Donald Wills Douglas Sr., had its first flight on December 17, 1935.

American Airlines Inaugurates Passenger Service with DC-3

American Airlines started passenger service on June 26, 1936, using the Douglas DC-3 aircraft for simultaneous flights from Newark, New Jersey, and Chicago, Illinois.

American Airlines Trading on NYSE

American Airlines began trading on the New York Stock Exchange on June 10, 1939.

American Airlines introduces airport lounges

In 1940, American Airlines became the first airline to offer airport lounges for its customers, enhancing the travel experience for passengers.

American's First Scheduled Air Cargo Flights from New York's LaGuardia Airport

In 1945, American Airlines operated its first scheduled air cargo flights from New York's LaGuardia Airport, which marked the world's first scheduled air cargo service.

American's Trans-Atlantic Service with American Overseas Airlines

In 1946, American Airlines began operating trans-Atlantic service for the first time with American Overseas Airlines.

Promotion of Carlene Roberts as Industry's First Female Vice President

In 1951, American Airlines promoted Carlene Roberts, making her the industry's first female vice president.

Introduction of Douglas DC-7 by American Airlines

American Airlines sought a faster aircraft for transcontinental operations and collaborated with Douglas to create the Douglas DC-7. The plane was a significant success and was extensively used by the airline for nonstop flights across the US.

American pioneers nonstop transcontinental service with the Douglas DC-7

In 1957, American Airlines introduced nonstop transcontinental service across the United States using the Douglas DC-7 aircraft, marking a significant milestone in air travel.

American Airlines Introduces Transcontinental Jet Service with Boeing 707

On January 25th, 1959, American Airlines made history by launching the first transcontinental jet service in the United States using the Boeing 707. This move marked a significant shift in aviation technology and solidified American Airlines' position in the competitive airline market.

American Airlines hires first African American pilot

In 1964, American Airlines made history by hiring its first African American pilot, David E. Harris. He served the airline for over thirty years before retiring.

American Airlines' Specification for DC-10

In 1966, American Airlines requested manufacturers to create a widebody aircraft smaller than the Boeing 747 but capable of flying long-range routes from airports with shorter runways, leading to the development of the DC-10.

Design of AA Eagle Logo by Vignelli Associates

In 1967, Vignelli Associates designed the iconic AA eagle logo for American Airlines. The logo, introduced by Henry Dreyfuss, became a recognizable symbol of the airline until January 17, 2013.

American Airlines' Intention to Acquire DC-10

On February 19, 1968, the president of American Airlines and James S. McDonnell of McDonnell Douglas announced American's plan to acquire the DC-10, resulting in American Airlines ordering 25 DC-10s in its initial order.

DC-10 Receives FAA Type Certificate

On July 29, 1971, the DC-10 received its type certificate from the FAA, indicating that it met the necessary safety and design standards for commercial operation.

DC-10 Enters Commercial Service with American Airlines

The DC-10 commenced commercial service with American Airlines on August 5, 1971, operating a round trip flight between Los Angeles and Chicago.

First Major Airline to Employ Female Pilot

American Airlines became the first major airline to hire a female pilot, Bonnie Tiburzi, to fly Boeing 727s, breaking gender barriers in the aviation industry.

Bonnie Tiburzi Caputo joins American Airlines as the first female pilot

In 1977, Bonnie Tiburzi Caputo made history by becoming the first female pilot to join a major U.S. commercial airline, American Airlines.

Airline Deregulation Act

In 1978, the Airline Deregulation Act was implemented, leading to the deregulation of various industry aspects like route creation, new airline establishment, and fares. This shift transformed the American aviation sector into a free market.

American Airlines Headquarters Move to Texas

In 1979, shortly after deregulation, American Airlines relocated its headquarters to Texas and started expanding its major hub at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW). The move was part of the airline's strategy to focus on the hub-and-spoke model for routing traffic efficiently.

Launch of AAdvantage Frequent Flyer Program

The AAdvantage frequent flyer program was introduced on May 1, 1981, by American Airlines. It has grown to become the largest frequent flyer program with over 115 million members as of 2021, offering various benefits like ticket redemption, upgrades, and more.

Milestones for American Airlines

In early 1982, American Airlines achieved significant milestones including receiving its first Boeing 767 aircraft, serving its 500 millionth passenger, and establishing its hub in Chicago. These events marked important developments in the airline's history.

American Airlines flies its one billionth customer

On March 27th, 1991, American Airlines celebrated a significant milestone by flying its one billionth customer. This event showcased the airline's strong presence and popularity among travelers.

American Airlines Introduces Boeing 777

American Airlines introduced the Boeing 777 in 1995, showcasing its commitment to modern and efficient aircraft.

American Airlines Joins oneworld Alliance

In 1999, American Airlines became a member of the oneworld alliance, expanding its global reach and network.

September 11 Attacks on American and United Airlines

Two American Airlines jets and two United Airlines jets are hijacked by terrorists and crash, leading to a tragic event on September 11, 2001.

Boeing 777 Service to Tokyo

In April 2002, American Airlines commenced daily nonstop Boeing 777 service between New York JFK and Tokyo, expanding its reach to Japan. This new route provided American Airlines with four U.S. gateways to Japan, enhancing its international presence.

American Airlines Quarterly Profit

On July 20, 2005, American Airlines announced a quarterly profit for the first time in 17 quarters, earning $58 million in the second quarter of 2005.

Japan Airlines Restructuring

In October 2009, Japan Airlines called off negotiations with American Airlines and other airlines for a possible deal. However, in February 2010, JAL strengthened its relationship with American Airlines and Oneworld.

AMR and American Airlines file for bankruptcy

AMR, the parent company of American Airlines, along with American Airlines and its subsidiaries, file for bankruptcy protection on November 29, 2011.

US Airways reaches labor agreements with American's unions

US Airways announces labor agreements with all three of American Airlines' unions in preparation for a potential merger between the two airlines.

Launch of 'A New American' Rebranding Campaign

On January 17, 2013, American Airlines launched a rebranding campaign called 'A New American' in collaboration with FutureBrand. The campaign introduced a new logo that incorporated elements from the 1967 design.

Merger of American and US Airways

On February 13, 2013, the boards of American and US Airways approved a merger, creating the world's biggest airline.

American and US Airways Merger

American and US Airways started operating as a single airline with a unified Passenger Service System.

NAACP issues travel advisory for American Airlines

On October 24, 2017, the NAACP issued a travel advisory for American Airlines urging African Americans to 'exercise caution' due to discriminatory incidents. The advisory was prompted by multiple cases of mistreatment towards black passengers, including being moved from first class and forced to give up seats.

Copyright Approval for 2013 Logo

After a series of submissions and reconsiderations, the United States Copyright Office finally approved copyright protection for American Airlines' 2013 logo on December 7, 2018. The logo was recognized for its creativity and originality.

Debut of new Flagship Suite premium seats

American Airlines will introduce new Flagship Suite premium seats and update the interior of its long-haul fleet with the arrival of Airbus A321XLR and Boeing 787-9 aircraft starting in 2024.

End of the Timeline
American Airlines

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