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American Airlines Files for Washington

Los Angeles has nonstop flights to the capitals of Japan, Peru, the United
Kingdom and Russia, but not the closest airport to the capital of the
United States.
Today, American Airlines is working to change that by filing an
application with the U.S. Department of Transportation to provide daily
nonstop service between Los Angeles International Airport and Ronald
Reagan Washington National Airport. The route would be flown using a
two-class Boeing 757 aircraft.

“Los Angeles deserves this service and American`s route network also
offers the best opportunity to maximize one-stop access for five smaller
California communities as well as other communities throughout the Golden
State and four cities in Hawaii,” said Henry Joyner, American`s senior
vice president-Planning. “We`re ready, willing and able to connect the
nation`s second largest metropolitan area with the preferred airport
serving our nation`s capital.”

American`s relationship with Reagan National began when the carrier landed
the very first flight at the airport, then known simply as National
Airport, back in June 1941.

Today, American is asking the DOT to grant it two of 12 additional
exemption slots at the airport for nonstop service to airports beyond the
1,250-mile perimeter that currently limits nonstop flights to the western
half of the country. These exemptions are authorized under the Vision 100
- Century of Aviation Reauthorization Act.

Under American`s proposal, five small cities in California—Fresno,
Monterey, Palm Springs, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara—would also
benefit from competitive one-stop access to Reagan National. American and
American Eagle will also offer competitive one-stop service to the airport
from a number of other cities in both California and Hawaii, including San
Francisco, San Jose, San Diego, Honolulu, Kahului, Kona and Lihue.

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Over the past five years, American has invested millions of dollars in
renovating and enhancing its Los Angeles airport facilities. This includes
expanding its main check-in lobby, security checkpoints and baggage claim
areas; adding a new Customs and Immigration facility; installing a moving
walkway linked to the Bradley International Terminal; launching a new
high- speed automated laser bag-tag reader system and four new
baggage-claim devices in the baggage-claim area; plus opening a brand new
25,000 square-foot Admirals Club(R) facility.

“We look forward to adding Reagan National to the current list of 32
nonstop destinations served by American from LAX,” Joyner said. “Our
customers in Los Angeles deserve to join the ranks of travelers already
enjoying exempted service from smaller cities such as Denver, Las Vegas
and Seattle.”
American Airlines is the world`s largest carrier. American, American Eagle
and the AmericanConnection regional carriers serve more than 250 cities in
more than 40 countries and territories with approximately 3,900 daily
flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 1,000 aircraft.
American`s award-winning Web site, AA.com, provides users with easy access
to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel
offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld Alliance.

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