American Airlines Launches New York Initiative
Press Release:
Quote:
American Airlines Launches New York Initiative
Thursday February 22, 8:00 am ET
New Flights, Enhanced Services Give New York-Area Travelers More Choices and Greater Convenience
Editor's Note: Snapshot of American Airlines in New York is attached
NEW YORK, Feb. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- American Airlines is launching an initiative to become the clear-cut airline of choice for passengers in the New York market. In the coming weeks and months, American will demonstrate its commitment to New York with additional routes, enhanced offers, and promotions.
American, the world's largest airline and a founding member of the oneworld® Alliance, and American Eagle combine to carry more than 16 million passengers each year to and from the five New York-area airports (John F. Kennedy, LaGuardia, Newark, White Plains/Westchester County, and Newburgh/Stewart) on more than 175,000 flights to and from more than 60 business and leisure destinations.
"We want to make it crystal clear that American Airlines and American Eagle are the airlines of choice for the greater New York area," said David Cush, American's Senior Vice President of Global Sales. "It's no secret that New York is a critical market for all major airlines, especially American, and we intend to be New York's favorite airline through some of the actions we have begun taking, as well as those coming in the months ahead.
"For more than 80 years, we have offered convenient service from the New York market to locations throughout the U.S. and the world. We offer competitive pricing on all of our routes. We are the largest U.S. airline flying out of New York to London and the Caribbean, as well as from JFK and LaGuardia to Canada. Our 8,300 New York-area employees are among the largest airline workforce in this region, and they are proud of our legacy. We want to be No. 1 -- the preferred airline -- in New York," Cush said.
New York-area customers already have started to receive a taste of what American Airlines has in store for them in 2007 and in the years to come. For example:
-- Last month, American announced upgrading its seasonal service between
Rome and the United States to year-round service beginning April 10.
Using Boeing 767-300 widebody aircraft, American will fly daily from
John F. Kennedy International Airport to Rome's Fiumicino/Leonardo da
Vinci Intercontinental Airport. Then for the low-peak travel season,
beginning Oct. 28 and continuing through March 31, 2008, the service
will be flown three times per week from JFK (Tuesday, Friday and
Sunday) and four times a week from Chicago's O'Hare International
Airport (Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday).
-- Earlier this month, American Airlines offered customers who buy a
roundtrip First or Business Class ticket for travel between JFK and
London's Heathrow Airport through May 31 the opportunity to earn up to
three free* trips anywhere American flies in the United States
(including Hawaii and Alaska), Canada, Mexico or the Caribbean.
-- Two weeks ago, American launched a promotion allowing passengers
flying Business Class from JFK to Heathrow through March 31 the
opportunity to get a free upgrade to First Class when purchasing a
qualifying** Business Class fare.
-- American's new, $1.1 billion state-of-the-art terminal at JFK will be
completed later this summer, which will provide for the region's
future travel needs for years to come. The new terminal will feature
nearly 1.5 million square feet, 36 gates, 101 ticketing positions
(more than any other airline at JFK), and 10 security checkpoint lanes
that can process more than 1,900 passengers an hour.
-- American is beginning to phase in a feature on its AA.com website that
allows AAdvantage program members to more easily find dates to book
award travel using frequent-flyer miles.
-- American plans to spend more on advertising in 2007 than in previous
years to have the loudest voice in New York. The company plans to
promote its message and service enhancements via various media.
New Service to Cincy, Raleigh/Durham, Atlanta, Louisville, SF, Vegas and
more
And, much more is coming. For example, effective April 10, American Eagle will add new service from LaGuardia Airport to Cincinnati. American Airlines will add one mainline jet flight to complement existing American Eagle service from LaGuardia to Raleigh/Durham, N.C., making it the only airline to offer mainline jet service between LaGuardia and Raleigh/Durham. Service from Atlanta to LaGuardia will be converted to all mainline jet service with four daily flights (details provided below). Later this year, American Eagle plans to begin service from LaGuardia to Louisville, Ky.
West-bound travelers from New York will also benefit. Later this summer, American will add a sixth daily flight from JFK to San Francisco. That will boost American's transcontinental service to 22 daily flights from JFK and Newark to Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and Seattle.
New service from JFK to Las Vegas will begin in September to give New York-area customers a new leisure destination. The new service from JFK will also benefit American's international customers and international customers arriving on oneworld airlines through easy connections.
For passengers traveling to the Caribbean and South America, American plans to increase the number of weekly roundtrips later this year between JFK and Port-au- Prince, Haiti, and Caracas, Venezuela.
Premium Services for NY Travelers
The additional flights build on American's recent investments in premium- class products and facilities used by New York-area travelers. For example:
-- Passengers will get to enjoy American's Next Generation Business Class
on the airline's 767-300 and 777 aircraft beginning this year, making
business travel that much more comfortable for passengers on
international flights originating from JFK.
-- American's $20 million investment in its 767-200 aircraft flown
between JFK and Los Angeles and JFK and San Francisco will provide
approximately 11,000 new First Class seats annually, lighter and
brighter interiors, and new inflight entertainment to complement the
already redesigned First and Business Class transcontinental menus.
-- Four Admirals Club® lounges - two at JFK, and one each at LaGuardia
and Newark - offer customers a quiet oasis to work or relax before or
after flights. A new Flagship Lounge at JFK for international First
and Business Class passengers will open later this summer.
-- American recently enhanced its Admirals Club and Flagship Lounge
policy to allow full fare or AAdvantage Award*** Business Class
passengers flying on three-class Transcontinental aircraft
complimentary access into the Admirals Club lounge and full fare or
AAdvantage Award*** First Class passengers complimentary access to its
Flagship Lounge.
-- More than 70 Self-Service Check-in machines are located at New York
area airports, including 33 at JFK, 29 at LaGuardia and 10 at Newark.
Last year, more than 3.2 million customers used the convenient
machines to help speed them through the terminal and on to their
flights. International check-in is available via self-service for
passengers traveling beyond the U.S. from JFK and LaGuardia.
Passengers can also purchase Admirals Club day passes, upgrades, and
confirmed flight changes on the self-service machines.
"American's new terminal at JFK is world class in every respect," said Chuck Imhof, American's Vice President of Passenger Sales - Greater New York. "From the dramatic 57,000-square foot lobby in the Main Terminal with its 65- foot ceiling, to the two new Admirals Club Lounges and Flagship Lounge providing approximately 30,000 square feet of luxury, the terminal is truly fitting of the stature of a great city like New York. All of us at American and American Eagle are thrilled that we can offer this to our customers."
In the Community
Together, American and American Eagle employ approximately 8,300 people in the New York area, and approximately 4,500 retirees. The airlines' presence indirectly supports an additional 182,000 jobs in the region, making the two airlines key participants in the area's economy. Overall, American and American Eagle combined to spend $1.75 billion in New York in 2006. The company is estimated to have an $11.1 billion impact on the New York economy.
American's and American Eagle's impact in New York also is evident in community, civic and volunteer activities. American provides sponsorships and in-kind giving to organizations and events throughout the New York area such as Citymeals-on-Wheels, the Lincoln Center Theater, the annual Puerto Rico Day and Chinese New Year parades, the American Foundation for AIDS Research, the Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, and Aaron Davis Hall Performing Arts. In addition, airline employees are involved in service organizations throughout the metropolitan area, helping to bring people together to build better communities and to enhance the area's quality of life.
"American and American Eagle are proud to have been a part of the New York community - professionally and personally - for so many years," said Imhof. "We are committed to New York and grateful for the longtime support we have received here. And we look forward to providing our customers even more in the years ahead."
Following is a summary of the new routes and service enhancements:
New York Service Enhancements
Date Destination Airline Change
April 10 Atlanta American Airlines 1 additional daily
flight (4 total)
April 10 Raleigh/Durham American Airlines New Service - 1 daily flight
plus 8 existing flights on
American Eagle
April 10 Cincinnati American Eagle New Service - 4 daily
flights
June 14- Port au Prince American Airlines 5 additional seasonal
Sept. 5 flights per week (12 max)
June 14 Caracas American Airlines 2 additional flights per
week
Aug. 15 San Francisco American Airlines 1 additional daily flight (6
total)
Sept. 5 Louisville American Eagle New Service - 2 daily
flights
Sept. 5 Las Vegas American Airlines New Service - 1 daily flight
*Free Award Ticket Taxes & Fees:
The passenger and/or the AAdvantage member is responsible for all taxes and fees, including Federal tax of $3.40 per takeoff and landing, airport fees of up to $18, and September 11th Security Fee of $2.50 per enplanement originating at a U.S. airport. For international/Puerto Rico/USVI destinations, additional taxes and fees up to $180 may apply. All award travel in conjunction with this promotion must be booked through AAdvantage® Reservations at 1-800-882-8880, and requires payment of a $15 award ticketing fee. Seats for award travel are subject to capacity controls and may not be available on all flights. Standard AAdvantage award terms and conditions apply. For complete offer terms and conditions, visit http://www.aa.com/offers .
**Free Upgrade Offer Terms and Conditions:
Purchase a qualifying Business Class ticket for travel on flights marketed and operated by American Airlines between New York (JFK) and London (LHR) through March 31, 2007, and receive an upgrade to First Class. A qualifying Business Class ticket is defined as a Business Class fare having the fare basis code "DUP". The DUP fare is subject to availability. If the DUP fare is available, customer will be confirmed in First Class for the same flight. The DUP fare may not be combined with any other discount. To qualify, travel must originate in New York (JFK). Travel may be either one way or round trip. Travel must end by midnight March 31, 2007. Offer applies only to new reservations. For complete terms and conditions, visit http://www.aa.com/offers .
***Admirals Club Enhancements:
Excludes AAdvantage upgrades
About American Airlines
American Airlines is the world's largest airline. American, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection® airlines serve 250 cities in over 40 countries with more than 4,000 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, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve more than 600 destinations in over 135 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation (NYSE: AMR - News).
AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com and AAdvantage are registered trademarks of American Airlines, Inc.
About American Eagle
American Eagle operates more than 1,800 daily flights to more than 160 cities throughout the United States, Canada, the Bahamas, Mexico and the Caribbean on behalf of American Airlines.
AmericanAirlines® We know why you fly®
Current AMR Corp. releases can be accessed on the Internet.
The address is http://www.aa.com
New York Market Snapshot
February 2007
American Airlines has served the New York market for more than 80 years. It understands the needs of New York passengers, offering them a global route network, competitive fares, and a long-standing commitment to the Greater New York community.
American and American Eagle offer nonstop service to 58 destinations on 257 daily flights from five New York area airports, including:
-- 121 daily departures from LaGuardia
-- 91 daily departures from JFK
-- 34 daily departures from Newark
-- 8 daily departures from White Plains/Westchester County
-- 3 daily departures from Newburgh/Stewart
By September 2006, American and American Eagle will offer 61 destinations as they add Cincinnati, Louisville and Las Vegas to their route network.
-- In addition, American's seasonal service to Rome will be year-round,
and additional frequencies will have been added to Caracas and Port-
au-Prince.
Each year, American and American Eagle carry more than 16 million people to and from JFK, LaGuardia and Newark airports on more than 175,000 flights.
-- From New York, American offers more daily flights to Dallas/Fort
Worth, Los Angeles, Chicago, St. Louis, Miami and San Juan than any
other airline.
-- On an average daily basis, American offers 20 nonstop flights from
New York to California.
-- American offers more premium seats on transcontinental routes from
New York than any other airline.
- American offers the only three-class transcontinental service on
widebody aircraft between New York and Los Angeles and between
New York and San Francisco.
American offers service from New York to 24 destinations beyond the U.S., including service to London, Paris, Rome, Zurich, Brussels and Tokyo.
-- American offers more flights to London Heathrow than any other U.S.
airline.
-- American is the only U.S. airline to serve Tokyo and London's
Heathrow Airport from JFK.
-- American is the leading airline to the Caribbean (based on the number
of flights).
- American serves every major island in the Caribbean.
American Airlines provides New York travelers with a convenient, comfortable and rewarding travel experience.
-- American operates 40 Admirals Clubs® lounges in airports worldwide,
including four in New York, with two at JFK, and one each at Newark
and LaGuardia (the LaGuardia Admirals Club conference room is
available for booking, and membership is not required).
-- American has more than 70 Self-Service Check-in devices at its New
York area airports: JFK - 33 devices; LaGuardia - 29; Newark - 10.
International check-in is available via self-service for passengers
traveling out of JFK and LaGuardia.
-- In 2006, more than 3.2 million customers in New York used the
machines.
American's new, state-of-the-art terminal at JFK Airport will meet Greater New York's future travel needs.
-- The first phase of American Airlines' new Terminal 9 at JFK Airport
opened in 2005, and the second phase is due for completion in the
summer of 2007.
-- This $1.1 billion facility, with nearly 1.5 million square feet, will
be world-class in every respect with features designed to provide
outstanding service for both domestic and international travelers.
The new JFK terminal will offer:
- Thirty-six gates - 27 for jet operations, 19 of which can
support international flights - and nine for regional jets.
- A dramatic, 57,000 square-foot ticketing lobby in the Main
Terminal, with a 65-foot ceiling and 101 ticketing positions.
- Ten security checkpoint lanes that can process 1,925 passengers
per hour.
- An Admirals Club area in Concourse C of 11,000 square feet with
seating for 185 people, and a second Admirals Club with 19,000
square feet, plus a Flagship Lounge, for premium passengers in
Concourse B.
American Airlines plays a key role in New York's economy, generating $11.1 billion in economic activity(1).
-- AMR spends over $680 million annually in payroll, including salaries
and benefits, for its Greater New York based employees.
-- In 2006 AMR paid nearly $135 million in rental and landing fees.
-- Additionally, AMR spent over $1 billion in goods and services in the
New York marketplace during 2006, for total spending of $1.75
billion.
-- American's presence supports over 182,000 jobs in the New York metro
area(1). This occurs through our impact on local suppliers, consumer
spending by employees, passenger spending, taxation, eased business
transactions, and a strong environment for business growth.
American is committed to the Greater New York community, which almost 13,000 AMR employees and retirees call home.
-- American provides sponsorships and in-kind giving to many
organizations and events in the New York area including Citymeals-on-
Wheels, the Lincoln Center Theater, the American Foundation for AIDS
Research, the Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, and the Aaron Davis Hall
for the performing arts.
-- Additionally, American is also a supporter of the American Airlines
Roundabout Theater, the American Ballet Theater, and the City Parks
Foundation, to name just a few organizations.
-- American highly values its relationships with New York's Hispanic
communities, with which it has been closely involved for more than 28
years.
- The company is a sponsor of New York's Puerto Rico and Dominican
parades, offering college scholarships in connection with these
events.
- American provides cargo space on its planes to Caribbean and
Latin American locations for disaster relief efforts and
transports physicians and medical supplies to these locations
when there are emergency needs.
- American is also active in the Hispanic Federation, which
comprises 81 Hispanic health and human services agencies in New
York, New Jersey and Connecticut.
-- Other international groups and events in New York also receive
support from American Airlines including the Japanese American
Association of New York, the Japanese Chamber of Commerce, the
Flushing Chinese Business Association, the Indian Day parade and the
Western Indian/American Day carnival.
-- American's employees work closely with health professionals -
sometimes in other countries - to ensure that children are
transported to medical facilities in New York and throughout the
country.
- Since the establishment of American's "Miles for Kids in Need"
program, hundreds of children have been flown to New York City
hospitals for critical care that is not available in their
communities.
-- American also supports New York-related activities and events that
are affiliated with national organizations including St. Jude
Children's Hospital, the Make-a-Wish Foundation, the Cystic Fibrosis
Foundation, the Susan G. Komen Foundation, and Special Olympics,
among others.
(1) Based on a study commissioned by the Air Transport Association in
2006, in the state of New York, every aviation job produces 22 jobs
in the broader economy; every aviation direct dollar spent produces
6.4 times of indirect and induced economical impact. See "Commercial
Aviation and the American Economy" from March 2006 at
http://www.airlines.org/economics/speci ... Impact.htm
