ITTN’s Katie Doyle attended the American Airlines Trade Luncheon yesterday at The Ivy Dublin with key travel trade yesterday.
In attendance were representatives from BA and American Airline’s Pedro Gimenez, Sr. Manager Southern Europe, Israel & India; Pratima Seli Portfolio Manager UK & Ireland for American as they told trade about the exciting updates coming to the airline’s services around the world.
As the largest airline in the world with a fleet of over 1,500 aircraft – American Airlines continues to focus on the priorities of the travel trade down to the flyers across their routes. They are refocusing their corporate and agency customer needs with more industry presence, an expansion of their Sales Organisation and the growth of their Account Manager team. They are also investing in the required tools to ensure easy bookings for travel trade with service enhancements, a Travel Manager portal and Sales Support Concierge. The airport and inflight experience for customers will also be improved with mobile app redesign, new and refreshed lounges and new Flagship interiors!
Later this month, there will be a special centennial livery on a Boeing 737 as American Airlines celebrates its 100th year! Travellers will also begin to notice the airline’s new centennial logo across their online booking process, at airports and in-flight. Additionally, the airline is placing a special decal of the logo to its entire fleet and onboard flights travellers can look forward to new treats including amenity kits, pyjamas, inflight dining offerings and more limited-time delights taking flight this year!
There are also updates to their fleet, trade platforms and customer experiences that include:
- Their One-Stop Security (OSS) now allows customers to connect to international (non-UK) destinations through Heathrow and Dallas-Fort Worth
- There is free, high-speed WiFi available to AAdvantage members in partnership with AT&T that began in January of this year on Viasat and Intelsat equipped aircraft.
- A321 XLR deliveries have begun with up to 50 aircraft on order with their first route from Edinburgh to JFK having departed on the 9th of March this week!
The premium Boeing 787-9 aircraft flying Chicago to London now features the cutting-edge Flagship Suite as it becomes a key hub with connections from Chicago O’Hare. These new suits feature privacy doors, wireless charging, chaise lounge features, personal reading light and mirror – a 17.3 inch QLED Seat Back Screens, Bluetooth connectivity and USB-C & AC Power!
American Airlines expansion in Europe also continues as they are beginning a planned service to Porto in 2027, subject to governmental approval alongside daily summer season services that will operate from Philadelphia with Airbus A321XLR also featuring Flagship Suite seats!
The airline has also secured air travel rights for FIFA World Cup 2026 across Canada, Mexico and the USA with Qatar Airways!
There was lots to look forward to this coming year with American Airlines and the luncheon was thoroughly enjoyed by travel trade as the sun shone briefly in Dublin yesterday!
