# American Airlines

> major airline of the United States

**Wikidata**: [Q32396](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q32396)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_Airlines)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/american-airlines

## Summary
American Airlines is a major airline of the United States, operating as a subsidiary of American Airlines Group and serving as one of the country's largest carriers. It was founded in 1926 and is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, with key operational hubs in major U.S. cities. The airline operates a vast fleet of commercial aircraft and provides both passenger and freight air transport services.

## Key Facts
- Founded on April 15, 1926, as American Airways
- Became American Airlines in 1936 after a merger with other aviation companies
- Operated under AMR Corporation until 2013, when it became a subsidiary of American Airlines Group
- Headquarters: Fort Worth, Texas; additional major offices in New York City
- Parent organization: American Airlines Group (founded December 9, 2013)
- Operates as a public company (instance_of: Q4830453, Q891723)
- Member of the Oneworld airline alliance (joined in 1999)
- Operates a large commercial fleet including Boeing 737, 777, 787, and Airbus A320 family aircraft
- Uses Sabre, a global distribution system, for booking and operations
- Has subsidiaries including PSA Airlines and Envoy Air (not listed but implied by structure)
- Operates from hubs such as Dallas/Fort Worth, Charlotte, Chicago O’Hare, Los Angeles, and Miami
- Notable accidents include American Airlines Flight 11 (9/11), Flight 77 (9/11), and Flight 587 (2001)
- IATA code: AA; ICAO code: AAL
- CEO: Robert Isom (as of 2023)
- Employs over 130,000 people globally (as of 2023)
- Operates in over 350 destinations across 50+ countries
- Owns or leases over 900 aircraft, including Boeing 737, 777, 787, and Airbus A320 family models
- Notable for being the world’s largest airline by fleet size, revenue, and scheduled passengers

## FAQs

**What is American Airlines?**  
American Airlines is a major U.S.-based airline and a wholly owned subsidiary of American Airlines Group. It provides scheduled air transport for passengers and cargo across domestic and international routes.

**When was American Airlines founded?**  
American Airlines was originally founded on April 15, 1926, as American Airways. It was renamed American Airlines in 1936.

**What is the relationship between American Airlines and American Airlines Group?**  
American Airlines Group is the parent company of American Airlines. The group was formed in 2013 and owns the airline as its primary operating unit.

**What kind of aircraft does American Airlines operate?**  
American Airlines operates a diverse fleet including Boeing 737, 777, 787, and Airbus A320 family aircraft, among others.

**Is American Airlines part of any airline alliances?**  
Yes, American Airlines is a founding member of the Oneworld alliance, which was established in 1999.

**What is the significance of Sabre in American Airlines' operations?**  
Sabre is a global distribution system (GDS) that American Airlines uses for booking, scheduling, and operations. It was originally developed by American Airlines in the 1960s.

**What are some notable incidents or accidents involving American Airlines?**  
American Airlines has been involved in several high-profile incidents, including American Airlines Flight 11 and Flight 77 during the September 11, 2001, attacks, and Flight 587 in 2001.

**Where is American Airlines headquartered?**  
American Airlines is headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, with major operational hubs in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Miami.

**How many employees does American Airlines have?**  
As of 2023, American Airlines Group employs over 130,000 people, making it one of the largest employers in the airline industry.

**What is the size of American Airlines' fleet?**  
American Airlines operates one of the largest commercial fleets in the world, with over 900 aircraft.

## Why It Matters
American Airlines plays a central role in the U.S. aviation industry, operating one of the largest airline fleets globally and serving as a critical link in both domestic and international air travel. As a founding member of the Oneworld alliance, it connects passengers to over 350 destinations across 50+ countries. The airline’s operations are foundational to the U.S. economy, supporting millions of jobs and enabling global commerce and tourism. Its technological innovations, such as the Sabre GDS, have also shaped the travel industry at large.

## Notable For
- Being the largest airline in the world by fleet size, revenue, and scheduled passengers
- Pioneering the Sabre global distribution system, a forerunner of modern travel booking systems
- Being a founding member of the Oneworld airline alliance
- Operating the world’s largest Boeing 737 fleet
- Having a major hub at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, one of the busiest in the U.S.
- Being involved in historic aviation incidents, including the September 11, 2001, attacks
- Operating one of the most extensive global route networks among U.S. carriers
- Being a subsidiary of American Airlines Group, which is one of the “Big Three” U.S. airlines
- Maintaining a strong digital presence with over 1.6 million followers on Twitter
- Being the first airline to use computerized reservation systems (Sabre)

## Body

### History
American Airlines was originally founded on April 15, 1926, as American Airways, a subsidiary of Colonial Airlines. In 1936, it was restructured and renamed American Airlines after a series of consolidations and mergers. The airline became a subsidiary of AMR Corporation in 1982, which later reorganized into American Airlines Group on December 9, 2013. This restructuring allowed American Airlines to emerge from bankruptcy and consolidate operations with US Airways.

### Operations and Fleet
American Airlines operates one of the largest commercial fleets in the world, including aircraft such as the Boeing 737 family, Boeing 777, Boeing 787, and Airbus A320 family. Its fleet includes over 900 aircraft, making it the largest in terms of size and passenger capacity. The airline serves over 350 destinations in more than 50 countries, with major hubs in Dallas/Fort Worth, Charlotte, Chicago O’Hare, Los Angeles, and Miami.

### Technology and Innovation
American Airlines developed the Sabre global distribution system (GDS) in the 1960s, which became a foundational technology for the modern airline booking industry. Sabre was one of the first computerized reservation systems and is still in use today, albeit in evolved form.

### Accidents and Incidents
American Airlines has been involved in several high-profile aviation incidents, including:
- American Airlines Flight 11 and Flight 77 during the September 11, 2001, attacks
- American Airlines Flight 587 in 2001, which crashed in New York
- American Airlines Flight 191 in 1979, a fatal crash in Chicago
- American Airlines Flight 965 in 1995, which crashed in Colombia

### Corporate Structure
American Airlines is a subsidiary of American Airlines Group, which was incorporated in December 2013. The group also owns AMR Corporation, a defunct airline holding company that previously operated the airline. The airline is also a member of the Oneworld alliance, which was founded in 1999 and includes other major global carriers.

### Key People and Leadership
American Airlines is led by CEO Robert Isom as of 2023. The company is also associated with the design firm of Lella Vignelli, an Italian-American designer who worked on its branding. Notable figures such as Albert Vincent Casey, a former Postmaster General and CEO, and Sally Rowley, a civil rights activist, are also affiliated with the company.

### Global Presence and Memberships
American Airlines is a member of the Oneworld alliance, which was established in 1999. It operates in over 350 destinations across 50+ countries and maintains hubs in major cities including Dallas, New York, and Los Angeles. The airline also partners with major global carriers and maintains a strong digital presence with over 1.6 million followers on Twitter.

### Aircraft and Infrastructure
American Airlines operates a large fleet including Boeing 737, 777, 787, and Airbus A320 family aircraft. The airline also uses the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas, a multi-purpose arena used for events and entertainment. The airline’s major maintenance and operational hubs are located in Fort Worth, Texas, and New York City.

### Cultural and Economic Impact
American Airlines has played a significant role in shaping modern air travel, contributing to the globalization of commerce and tourism. Its innovations in reservation systems, such as Sabre, have influenced the entire airline industry. The company also plays a major role in employment, with over 130,000 employees as of 2023, making it one of the largest employers in the U.S. aviation industry.

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