World Best Airlines

In April 2008, American presented Golden Heart awards to 19 flight attendants who have administered emergency medical attention by using onboard defibrillators. In ceremonies for the awards, American and the Association of Professional Flight Attendants, which represents AA’s flight attendants, also honored the 82 people whose lives have been saved since American became the first airline to install defibrillators on its aircraft in 1997.In April 2008, American expanded the diversity and inclusion information on its AA.com Web site, further enhancing the airline industry’s most comprehensive online resource for such information. AA’s commitment to diversity and inclusion can be explored within the site’s “About Us” section, just one click from the home page.On May 1, 2008, American celebrated the 10 th anniversary of its nonstop service between Chicago and Tokyo. AA opened the route on May 1, 1998.On June 2, 2008, American launched its first-ever service between the U.S. and Russia with a daily nonstop Boeing 777 flight between Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and Domodedovo International Airport in Moscow. AA became the first U.S. carrier to fly directly from Chicago to Domodedovo Airport.In June 2008, American added thousands of additional hotel properties to its AA.com Web site. Combined with a new Price-Match Guarantee and a No Cancellation or Change Fee policy on all hotel bookings, the added properties made AA.com an even more compelling customer resource for booking hotel stays.In June 2008, American celebrated the 20th anniversary of its Chefs’ Conclave, a program that enlists the expertise of prominent and well-respected chefs to help AA craft the direction of its inflight food service. American was the first airline to gather such culinary expertise when the Chefs’ Conclave was founded in 1988. The stars of today’s Conclave are Nancy Brussat of Convito Cafe’ & Market, Dean Fearing of Fearing’s, and Stephan Pyles of Stephan Pyles.On August 11, 2008, American and Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the world’s largest breast cancer organization, announced an expanded partnership with the unveiling of two specially co-branded aircraft – an American Airlines 757 and an American Eagle Embraer 145 – each incorporating the renowned vivid pink-ribbon motif. Under the broadened partnership, American becomes Komen for the Cure’s official airline and first-ever Lifetime Promise Partner. AA pledged to raise $1 million annually for eight years to fund Komen for the Cure’s first Promise Grant – a $7.5 million, five-year study to inflammatory breast cancer at The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center.In August 2008, American announced it will take delivery of another six Boeing 737-800 aircraft in 2010, bringing the total of 737-800s to be delivered to American in 2009-2010 to 76 aircraft. AA also has firm commitments made previously for 11 737s in 2013. The announcement was another step in American’s fleet renewal plan designed to replace its MD-80 fleet with more fuel-efficient 737 aircraft while also lessening AA’s impact on the environment and continuing its investment in products and services for the benefit of customers.In August 2008, retired American Airlines Captain Dave Harris was honored by the Organization of Black Airline Pilots for being the first African-American to fly for a commercial airline. Capt. Harris retired from AA in 1994 after more than 30 years of service.In August 2008, American became the first airline to offer full in-flight internet in the U.S. when it launched the mobile broadband service, Gogo provided by Aircell, on its entire fleet of Boeing 767-200 aircraft.On Sept. 15, 2008, AMR Corporation, the parent company of American Airlines, completed the sale of American Beacon Advisors, its wholly owned asset-management subsidiary, to Lighthouse Holdings, which is owned by investment funds affiliated with Pharos Capital Group and TPG Capital, two leading private equity firms. AMR received a total compensation of $480 million. While primarily a cash transaction, AMR will acquire a small equity stake in the parent company of Lighthouse Holdings. American Beacon will continue to provide a number of services for AMR and its affiliates.In September 2008, American announced that it had completed upgrades to its Boeing 777 fleet, giving premium customers greater comfort, flexibility, convenience and privacy. With the upgrades, all 47 Boeing 777 aircraft now feature luxurious Flagship Suite and next-generation Business Class.During September 2008, the American Airlines Cargo Division played a key role in bringing an extraordinary exhibition, Tutankhamun and the Golden Age of the Pharoahs, from London to the U.S. for an extended engagement at the Dallas Museum of Art. AA Cargo was entrusted with shipping more than 130 priceless artifacts.In late September 2008, American was preparing for the introduction of PriorityAAcess privileges for its top customers. PriorityAAccess is an array of enhancements designed to make the airport process and overall travel experience more convenient. It is aimed at American’s AAdvantage elite status members, First and Business Class travelers, AAirpass customers, and passengers traveling on full-fare Economy Class tickets.In late September, American wrote a letter to Congress supporting passage of the proposed Employment Non-Discrimination Act. The letter noted that American was the first major airline to implement same-sex domestic partner benefits, first to implement both sexual orientation and gender identity in its workplace non-discrimination policies, and first to have a recognized LGBT employee resource group – GLEAM.On Oct. 15, 2008, American announced that it will enter a purchase agreement with Boeing to acquire 42 fuel-efficient Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners, with rights to acquire up to 58 additional 787 aircraft. The initial 42 Boeing 787-9 aircraft is scheduled for delivery beginning in September 2012 and ending in 2018. The 58 additional 787 aircraft may be scheduled for delivery beginning in 2015 and ending in 2020.Revised October 2008