AIRLINE HOLDS MANY HISTORIC FIRSTS IN COMMERCIAL AVIATION
Fort Worth-based American Airlines (Nasdaq: AAL) is celebrating its 90th birthday this month, and we thought it might be fun to look back at the origins of the world’s largest airline.
The carrier’s beginnings are traced to April 15, 1926 when Charles Lindbergh flew an air mail flight from Chicago to St. Louis.
The carrier’s beginnings are traced to April 15, 1926 when Charles Lindbergh flew an air mail flight from Chicago to St. Louis for Robertson Aircraft Corp., one of many aviation companies that would later join to create American Airlines.
“American is 100,000 strong and innovating every day in large and small ways. Working in this industry is a noble profession, and working for American is a special calling,” Doug Parker, American’s chairman and CEO, said in a released statement. “It has been a terrific 90 years for our airline and our best days lie ahead.”
American Airlines celebrated birthday with special sendoff for flight
The airline commemorated its birthday April 15 with a special sendoff celebration for customers on flight 90 from Chicago O’Hare to London Heathrow. On social media people were encouraged to join the celebration by using #HBDAmerican.
Here are some other historic firsts for the carrier in honor of its 90th birthday:
- In 1953, American became the first airline to introduce nonstop transcontinental travel.
- Dave Harris became the first African-American commercial pilot when he was hired by American in 1964.
- In 1981, the company paved the way for loyalty programs when it introduced AAdvantage.
- With its merger with US Airways in 2013, it reclaimed its reign as the world’s largest carrier.
The birthday even drew responses on social media. Here’s a sampling:
From 1 mailbag to 1 billion customers, today we are excited to celebrate 90 years! #HappyBirthday #HBDAmericanhttps://t.co/ixgyCjUp9w
— americanair (@AmericanAir) April 15, 2016
Happy 90th Bday to @AmericanAir! Thanks for always taking care of us on the road! #HBDAmerican pic.twitter.com/8DaF6WMWBG
— Dallas Cowboys (@dallascowboys) April 15, 2016
https://twitter.com/DallasStars/status/721049230106734592
Happy 90th Bday to @AmericanAir! Here is an AA DC-6 on the Tulsa Municipal Airport flight line in 1945. #HBDAmerican pic.twitter.com/zmJ8aLccZT
— Tulsa Airport (@tulsaairports) April 15, 2016
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