American Airlines Air-Only Freight

History of American Airlines American Airlines plane in the sky A history of many generations and industry firsts American was founded more than 95 years ago and has a deep-rooted history leading the industry through innovation and firsts, including hiring the first Black U.S. commercial airline pilot, hiring the first female U.S. commercial airline pilot, launching the first loyalty program of any major carrier and becoming the first airline to introduce airport lounges.

Highlights

1926 American’s long, proud history begins when legendary aviator Charles A. Lindbergh, the chief pilot of Robertson Aircraft Corporation, stowed a bag of mail in his DH-4 biplane and took off from St. Louis to Chicago. Robertson is counted as one of the many airlines that would make up what is now American Airlines.

1936 American becomes the first airline to fly the Douglas DC-3 in commercial service between New York to Chicago.

1939 All American Aviation, later US Airways, is founded in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. American begins trading on the New York Stock Exchange.

1940 American becomes the first airline to introduce airport lounges for customers.

1944 American operates its first scheduled air cargo flights from New York’s LaGuardia Airport, marking the world’s first scheduled air cargo service.

1945 American begins operating trans-Atlantic service for the first time with American Overseas Airlines.

1946 American establishes its maintenance and engineering base in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

1951 American promotes Carlene Roberts, the industry’s first female vice president.

1953 American pioneers nonstop transcontinental service across the United States with the Douglas DC-7.

1957 American opens the world’s first special training facility for flight attendants — originally known as stewardesses — in Fort Worth, Texas, named the American Airlines Stewardess College.

1959 American launches the first scheduled transcontinental U.S. passenger service with the Boeing 707, from Los Angeles to New York Idlewild (now John F. Kennedy International Airport).

1964 American hires David Harris, the first Black U.S. commercial airline pilot.

1966 American launches American Way, the airline’s inflight magazine.

1968 The legendary C.R. Smith retires as Chief Executive, having led the airline for more than 30 years.

1970 American merges with Trans Caribbean Airways, gaining new Caribbean routes.

1973 American hires Bonnie Tiburzi Caputo, the first female pilot to join a major U.S. commercial airline.

1977 American launches SuperSaver fares, offering discounted fares that required an advance purchase.

1981 American introduces AAdvantage®, the first airline loyalty program.

1983 America West commences operations in Tempe, Arizona.

1984 American introduces the American Eagle system.

1989 American announces plans to expand its Latin American service with routes from Eastern Airlines.

1991 American celebrates its 1 billionth customer.

1997 All American flights become nonsmoking.

1999 The oneworld® Alliance is launched by founding members American Airlines, British Airways, Canadian Airlines International, Cathay Pacific Airways and Qantas Airways.

2001 American announces plans to acquire Trans World Airlines assets. American tragically loses 23 people, including pilots, flight attendants and family members, in the events surrounding Sept. 11 on Flights 11 and 77. 2005 US Airways merges with America West.

2008 American introduces mobile boarding passes.

2013 AMR Corporation and US Airways Group officially form the American Airlines Group.

2015 American Airlines Group is added to the S&P 500 index. American flies its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner revenue flight. American's Robert W. Baker Integrated Operations Center opens in Fort Worth. US Airways flies its last flight, Flight 1939. American and US Airways begin operating as 1 airline with a Single Passenger Service System. 2016 American celebrates its 90th birthday.

2017 Air Transport World magazine names American its 2017 Airline of the Year.

2019 American names its 300-acre campus in Fort Worth the Robert L. Crandall Campus in honor of the airline’s former chairman and CEO. American’s Skyview 7 and Skyview 8 facilities open for nearly 6,000 leadership and support staff team members in Fort Worth. American retires the last of its MD-80 aircraft after 36 years as the workhorse of the airline's fleet. American celebrates 75 years of cargo operations. 2020sExpand 2020 American accelerates its fleet simplification initiative with the retirement of 5 fleet types.

2021 American celebrates its 95th birthday by helping to grant 95 wishes with a donation of 10 million AAdvantage® miles to Make-A-Wish. American retires American Way. 2022 American becomes the first airline globally to receive validation from the Science Based Targets initiative for its 2035 greenhouse gas emissions reduction targets. The oneworld® Alliance relocates its global headquarters to Fort Worth. 2023 American’s 600-room Skyview 6 Hospitality Complex opens on its Robert L. Crandall Campus. Air Transport World magazine names American its 2023 Eco-Airline of the Year.