Beginning Nov. 1, American Airlines, American Eagle and AmericanConnection
carriers will offer a wide spectrum of flights featuring world-class
customer service and high reliability to the business and leisure
destinations that St. Louis area residents desire.
“Starting Saturday, St. Louis becomes American`s fourth-largest hub in
terms of daily network departures,” said David C. Cush, American`s vice
president - St. Louis. “The new schedule provides the flights needed by
people who live here and those who want to come to St. Louis for business
or to visit with family and friends.”
“The traveling public will feel the effects of the scale-back of service
at Lambert-St. Louis International Airport beginning Nov. 1,” said by
Richard C.D. Fleming, president and chief executive officer of the St.
Louis Regional Chamber & Growth Association (RCGA). “However, from the
RCGA`s perspective, we recognize that the continuing 200-plus St. Louis
daily flights by American Airlines, American Eagle and AmericanConnection
represents a substantial base of continuing service, and is, in fact, more
substantial than a number of other hubs around the country.
“At the same time, we are committed to working with American and other
carriers to build back levels of service to key markets as the economy
continues to improve, and as the carriers find it possible to justify a
return to levels of service comparable to what Lambert had in the past,”
Fleming added.
American, American Eagle and AmericanConnection will operate 209 flights
to 68 markets including Cancun and San Juan, on Nov. 1.
Since the beginning of the year, American Airlines has logged an 87
percent arrival-within-14 minutes rate at St. Louis and the
AmericanConnection carriers have registered an 85 percent arrival rate.
“Passengers will not notice any major changes in customer service,” said
Cush. “Our Curbside Check-In, Self-Service Check-In and ticket counter
areas will remain the same and our Admirals Club will continue to provide
service to its customers. There will also be some service enhancements
that I`m sure the St. Louis passenger will come to enjoy.
“By February 2004, all jet and regional jet flights will depart from
Lambert`s C Concourse while AmericanConnection turboprop flights will
depart from B Concourse,” Cush added. “American Eagle and
AmericanConnection customers will be offered our popular Valet Service,
which allows them to leave their larger-sized carry-on bags at the
aircraft door when they board their planes. The bags will be secured in
the plane`s cargo area for the duration of the flight. Upon landing, the
bags will be delivered to the aircraft door so that passengers can acquire
them when they depart the airplane.”
American Eagle and AmericanConnection flights will be flown using a
variety of aircraft, which meet market demand in small- to medium-size
cities in the Midwest and larger cities on the East Coast and in the
mountain states.

American Eagle will operate three daily departures from St. Louis to New
York`s LaGuardia Airport featuring Embraer ERJ-135 airplanes that
accommodate 37 passengers. AmericanConnection carriers also will offer
service with Embraer ERJ-140 airplanes, which hold 44 passengers, and
Embraer ERJ-145 airplanes, with a 50-seat capacity.
The regional jets have all-leather seats arranged in a one-by-two seat
configuration, meaning there are no middle seats. They feature a
lavoratory, which includes a baby-changing table.
In other markets, the AmericanConnection carriers operate British
Aerospace Jetstream 41 aircraft, which hold 30 passengers; British
Aerospace Jetstream 32 aircraft with 19 seats; and ATR72 aircraft, with
room for 68 passengers.
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