American Airlines is celebrating a number of notable milestones in 2006, all of which point to its long history of customer innovation and leadership in the aviation industry.It was 80 years ago this year that American had its beginnings in a short flight from Chicago to St. Louis piloted by a young Charles A. Lindbergh. Today, American is the world’s largest airline with service to four continents and over 40 countries. Together with its regional affiliates, American Eagle and AmericanConnection, it now offers more than 3,900 daily flights.

This year also marks the silver anniversary of the AAdvantage program—the world’s first frequent-flier program.

American launched the AAdvantage program in 1981 with just under 300,000 members. Today, there are more than 50 million members, and the program has grown to include a wide range of products and services that offer numerous opportunities to earn and redeem miles.

Another American innovation turning the “Big 2-5” this year is AAirpass, which lets customers pre-purchase blocks of miles to be used over one or more years.

Available to both corporate and individual travelers, AAirpass helps protect travelers against fare changes by providing pre-paid unrestricted travel at a fixed rate.

Also celebrating a silver anniversary is American’s Dallas/Fort Worth hub. The airline’s San Juan, Puerto Rico hub turns 20 in 2006, while its Tulsa Maintenance & Engineering Base celebrates a 60th anniversary.
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