American turns 80 years old

[FWAAA]

Win a vacation of a lifetime. Cool (and can't be very costly - unlike the DAL battle) contest.

American Airlines Turns 80 and Launches Family Reunion Sweepstakes

Tuesday January 24, 2:09 pm ET

Sweepstakes Offers a Chance to Win the Family Vacation of a Lifetime in the Bahamas

FORT WORTH, Texas, Jan. 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- In celebration of American's 80th anniversary and its commitment to the essence of family, American Airlines will launch a Family Reunion Sweepstakes Feb. 1, 2006 that will continue until Feb. 28, 2006. Registrants can enter to win online at http://family.whyyoufly.com .

"American Airlines is dedicated to bringing families together across the globe in celebration of their past, present and future," said Dan Garton, Executive Vice President-Marketing for American Airlines. "One way of achieving this is by taking care of the most important steps in planning a family reunion: location, transportation and accommodations. We want you to enjoy the reunion of a lifetime with beautiful surroundings and great memories."

The winner of the Family Reunion Sweepstakes will receive 10 roundtrip tickets for their family to come together at Freeport, Grand Bahama Island, for three nights and four days. While on the island, the winning family can enjoy many activities such as scuba diving, parasailing, nature excursions, historic tours and shopping.

The site is also a resource guide for planning a successful and healthy family reunion. It explains the key steps for planning a family reunion, including activities for all ages. The site also has American Airlines' related links to special fares and discounts for restaurants and hotels. In addition, it lists simple tips to apply to your daily routine to achieve overall health such as watching out for hidden calories in foods, practicing portion control and using natural seasonings in cooking.

The sweepstakes build upon American's "We Know Why You Fly" brand campaign, launched in the fall of 2004, and expanded through its Hispanic and African-American advertising and promotion initiatives in 2005. One of American's recent new ads, "Red Pumps," captures its customers' desire for spontaneous travel, love and quality of life. The Family Reunion Sweepstakes complements and supports American's brand promise, especially to families.

Garton further commented that American Airlines understands why families fly and that American has helped families create memorable moments for 80 years. He added that the airline's 80-year history and the ability to offer vacations to destinations like the Bahamas demonstrate American's staying power in the travel industry and how its extensive global network benefits its customers, regardless of whether they are traveling for business or pleasure.

http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/060124/datu059.html?.v=24

 

[L1011Ret]

Well, we just flew LGA-DFW-PVR and back with many "older" AA F/As. Service was excallent.

 

[mga707]

To add a bit of historical background to AA's claim to reaching it's 80th birthday:
The earliest AA predecessor to begin scheduled Air Mail flights was the Robertson Aircraft Corporation of St. Louis. This first service was on CAM (Contract Air Mail) Route 2, between Chicago and St. Louis, with intermediate stops at Peoria and Springfield (IL).
"Regular contract mail flights began April 15, 1926, a date which is often designated as the origin of American Airlines"--From George Cearley's "American Airlines--America's Leading Airline", 1987 (2nd edition).

Services using the American name did not begin for another four years, until the 1930 amalgamation of American Airways by holding company Aviation Corporation (AVCO).
AVCO had gradually bought up numerous small carriers, including Robertson.
American Airways was incorporated on January 24, 1930.

Interestingly, both Western and TWA long claimed to be the oldest US airline, since both traced their respective origins back to Western Air Express (parts of WAE were forcibly merged into then-TAT to form TWA by the Postmaster General in 1930).
But WAE's first flight on their initial CAM route between L.A. and Salt Lake City occurred on April 17, 1926, two days after Robertson's first mail flight.

So, AA can claim to be the oldest even without using TWA's claim!

 

[eolesen]

AA can also claim to being the first "Lindbergh Line" without TWA.

Charles Lindbergh was the pilot of that first CHI-STL flight.

 

[MCI transplant]

AA can also claim to being the first "Lindbergh Line" without TWA.

Charles Lindbergh was the pilot of that first CHI-STL flight.

<_< Mr.Former Moderator---- You can make all kinds of claims, but aa will never be a TWA!!! So you say that may be a good thing! Well in some ways you may be right! Congradulations on 80 years of flying!