American Airlines News

American Airlines to boost schedules at main hubs
American Airlines and its American Eagle regional affiliate are to increase their networks and schedules from their key hubs - Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago O’Hare, Miami and New York – adding six new destinations to the oneworld® map during the next flying season.

Too fat to fly?
The debate over whether extra large passengers should be made to buy an extra seat has been reignited after a picture taken by an air stewardess, believed to work for American Airlines, has gone viral. She took the picture of the obese man in order to make a point to her boss that overweight passengers prove a safety risk.

American raises JAL offer to $1.1bn
American Airlines has stepped up its bidding war with Delta Airlines for a controlling stake in Japan Airlines by offering a US$1.1bn sweetener. Much of the injection is being fronted by TPG, a private equity group. This follows Delta’s attempt to lure the debt-riddled carrier from oneworld by offering US$500m in new equity, plus another US$500m in asset-backed funding.

Mexicana pins hopes on oneworld boost
Mexicana and its subsidiaries MexicanaClick and MexicanaLink have became part of the global oneworld airline alliance this week, looking to boost its international traffic in a very challenging marketplace.

American Airlines Flight Attendants Plan Unusual Strike
As far as strikes go, this one may be the most polite concept in history.

Arpey says JAL should stick with oneworld
American Airlines is working hard to keep Japan Airlines Corp. in the oneworld alliance, offering to expand cooperation and inject funds into the debt-ridden carrier, which is currently seeking aid from the Japanese government.

American Airlines moves up launch date for new service to China
American Airlines, a founding member of the oneworld® Alliance, will begin its new service from Chicago O’Hare International Airport to Beijing Capital International Airport on April 26, 2010.

American Airlines teams up with Lexus to offer free wi-fi in the sky
Beginning Nov. 1 and running through Nov. 7, American customers traveling on Wi-Fi equipped aircraft can enjoy free Wi-Fi service, compliments of Lexus allowing travelers to stay connected while thousands of feet in the sky.

Unions bid to block alliances
U.S. airline unions have intensified their calls for greater scrutiny of industry alliances in a move that could create major problems for the proposed venture between AA, BA and Iberia. The Allied Pilots Association has urged the U.S. Department of Transportation to decline the application for worldwide antitrust immunity, citing European Commission concerns and AA’s refusal to address job-security, anti-competitiveness and national-security issues.

Delta and American see falls in passenger numbers
Both Delta Air Lines and American Airlines reported drops in passenger numbers for September. Delta, the world’s biggest airline, saw a fall in passenger numbers of 5.2% to 15.1m compared to September last year. American saw its passenger numbers fall by 3.5% to 6.5m passengers.

EU questions BA-AA-Iberia venture
The European Commission has voiced its concerns over the proposed transatlantic venture between British Airways, American Airlines and Iberia. These include the disproportionate hold the three airlines would have on key Europe-to-US routes from Heathrow to Miami and Dallas.

US Airlines add new holiday travel fees
American Airlines announced last week that the company will be adding a surcharge of $10 each way for customers traveling the Sunday after Thanksgiving and the weekend following New Year’s and it seems that United Airlines, US Airways and Delta are quickly following suit.