How did American Airlines become so big?

Although not the oldest airline operating today, American Airlines is the largest in terms of fleet size. With expanding international routes, it's a familiar livery around the world. In this article, we look at airlines that have more than 80 years of history, from a national letter carrier to a major international operator, who brought her to what she is today. # 39; hui.

First operations in the United States – until the 1930s

The beginnings of American Airlines date back to the 1920s through the cooperation of a number of smaller airlines throughout the United States, including Southern Air Transport in Texas, Southern Air Fast Express on the West Coast and Colonial Air Transport in New York. They began working together under the brand name "American Airways," which operated primarily mail services and served 72 US cities.

American Airlines was established in 1935 when the American businessman E.L. Cord acquired and renamed American Airways. Texan businessman C. R. Smith was hired as the first CEO of the new airline.

Develop DC3 and passenger service

One of the most important steps of the early history of American Airlines was the introduction of DC3 aircraft. American Airlines' CEO, Smith, has worked with Douglas to develop this larger version of DC2, already operational. This version allowed a better capacity of the berth of the passenger (or the seat) and a greater autonomy. It began operating with American Airlines in 1936.

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The DC3 really changed the service that the airline could offer. They introduced passenger service between several key cities (not just mail or combined mail and passengers as before), including services from one ocean to the other. These "Flagship" services have quickly become one of their most popular and popular offerings, as they still are today.

Along with the new aircraft and new services, American Airlines also began investing in airports at that time. They worked with New York Mayor Fiorella LaGuardia to develop a new airport for the city.

And, to better serve the passengers, they opened a club for their senior passengers (called "Admirals") at this airport in 1939. Interestingly, they were initially denied permission to name him " Admirals Club "because of possible confusion with serving the admiral of the Navy and had to use the name of" Club Lighthouse "until the problem was solved.

Expanding in the 1940s

As with many airlines, American Airlines flights slowed during World War II. But they had already asserted themselves as one of the major passenger carriers and, shortly after the war, they resumed their expansion.

They created a separate company, American Overseas Airline, in 1945, which began operating overseas flights to Europe. Similarly, 'American Airlines Mexico City' launched services in Mexico.

To improve the transcontinental national service, they introduced the Douglas DC7 in 1953. This has significantly improved non-stop service. This would further develop in 1959, with the introduction of the Lockheed Electra.

Enter the jet era with the Boeing 707

Jet aircraft came into service at American Airlines in 1959, with the introduction of the Boeing 707. They offered faster, smoother flights and gradually expanded their use on intercontinental and international flights.

American Airlines also made several revolutionary operational advances at that time. They opened the world's first flight attendant training facility in 1957 – the Dallas / Fort Worth Stewardess College. Also in the 1960s, they launched the first electronic reservation system – Saber – in cooperation with IBM. Versions of this remain in use today.

Expansion in the 1970s and 1980s

The expansion of international routes continued in the 1970s, with American Airlines now serving Sydney and Auckland (via American Samoa and Fiji). In 1971, they acquitted Trans Caribbean Airways, adding to their route map of the Americas.

They also operated a separate national and international freight service at that time, using Boeing 707 and later 747 aircraft. 'American Freighter' continued operating until 1984.

Major operational changes took place later in the decade, when they moved their headquarters from New York to Fort Worth. Texas in 1979. New hubs also opened at DFW Airport in 1981 and at Chicago O'Hare in 1982, while moving to a more "hub and spoke" flight operation model. In the 1980s, they added new hubs to San Jose and Raleigh / Durham – which ran until the early 1990s.

Another first was the creation of a loyalty program in 1981. The AAdvantage program would reward regular travelers with benefits and a currency in miles, the first attempt of its kind to retain such loyalty.

More acquisitions and cooperation in the 1990s

American began his transatlantic service to London in 1982, but it was extended in 1990 when he bought the operations of Trans World Airlines (TWA) in London Heathrow. TWA was fully acquired by American Airlines in 2001 after persistent financial difficulties.

They also took over Eastern Airlines' routes, serving various destinations in Central and South America. This expansion has made Miami a new hub for American Airlines. And with the continued expansion in the 90s, they have become a major carrier for the region.

Airline alliances also began to form in the 1990s and American Airlines became a founding member of Oneworld Alliance in 1999 (alongside British Airways, Cathay Pacific, Qantas and Canadian Airlines). Today they remain a key member, with the alliance providing operational benefits to airlines as well as shared booking and customer loyalty benefits.

American Airlines since 2000 and merger with US Airways

The terrorist attacks in New York in 2001 (involving two American Airlines planes) hit hard the US aviation market. American Airlines then made no profit until the second quarter of 2005. Despite the slowdown, the expansion continued, particularly with the introduction of new services in India and China.

The financial difficulties came back after the 2008 financial crisis and the parent company of American Airlines – AMR Corporation – filed for bankruptcy protection in 2011. A merger between AMR Corporation and US Airways was announced in February 2013. As a result of a review of competition and antitrust-based objections, a new joint operating certificate was issued by the Federal Aviation Association in 2015.

The combined airline has become the largest airline in the world (by fleet size) and would operate under the American Airlines brand.

In all of this, American has continued to modernize its fleet of aircraft. In 2011, they ordered 460 new Boeing 737s and Airbus A320s for delivery until 2022. They replace the existing fleet in the short and medium range, including all MD-80s (the latest in this fleet). long date was decommissioned in September 2019).

Long-haul orders recorded an increase in orders for Boeing 777 and 787 aircraft, with 89 new 787 aircraft ordered in April 2018 (787-8 and 787-9 aircraft).

The international expansion of the largest airline in the world has continued. Services to Tokyo Haneda started in 2011, from Los Angeles to Shanghai in 2011 and Dallas Forth Worth to Shanghai and Hong Kong 2014. Recent announcements in 2019 saw added services in Krakow and Casablanca (their first service in Africa) and more rumors to come!