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AMR & Industry New
American Eagle Satellite Terminal at Dallas/Fort Worth Opens Saturday With 13 Gates and Covered Boarding
FORT WORTH, Texas, Nov. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- American Eagle, the regional affiliate of American Airlines, will open a new satellite terminal at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) on Saturday. The 13-gate facility is located on the east side of the airport, just north of Terminal A, and features covered boarding at all gates.
The 30,000-square-foot terminal is open and airy, with large windows and skylights, and will enable American Eagle to offer covered boarding on more flights to more cities as it continues to add regional jet service to and from DFW. Many of American Eagle's turboprops will also park at the satellite terminal, which means customers flying on those aircraft will also enjoy covered boarding at DFW.
American Eagle has been a pioneer in covered boarding for regional aircraft and will be the first airline to use Regional Boarding Ramps when the new facility opens. The Regional Boarding Ramps are moveable canopies with adjustable floors that can be raised or lowered to match aircraft height. Passengers will not have to climb aircraft stairs when boarding through one of the ramps.
Inside the terminal, flight information and gate information displays will provide real-time flight updates, and new Electronic Gate Readers (EGRs) at each gate will speed the boarding process.
To reach the new satellite terminal, customers will board a shuttle that will depart every two minutes from a ground level lobby in Terminal A. After a quick ride to the new satellite terminal, customers will exit the shuttle through a canopied area directly into the facility. The terminal and transportation process were designed so that customers are not exposed to the ramp area.
"This beautiful and spacious new terminal was designed to satisfy our customers' desire for upgraded facilities and an improved boarding process," said American Eagle President Peter Bowler. "Our new terminal will vastly improve the travel experience for our customers and will strengthen American Eagle's position as the leading regional operator at Dallas/Fort Worth."
The new facility will relieve congestion at American Eagle's current Terminal A operation by converting the majority of the lower level boarding area into a departure lobby for the high-frequency satellite terminal shuttle. American Eagle will continue to use a portion of the lower level plus two gates on the upper level of Terminal A for a busing operation that will transport passengers to aircraft parked on the ramp. To improve the busing operation, American Eagle is investing in a fleet of modern, low-step buses with an enhanced air conditioning system that will keep the vehicles cooler during the hot summer months.
During 2000, American Eagle introduced regional jet service between DFW and 12 cities -- most recently to Fort Smith, Ark., on Oct. 5. The airline now offers regional jet flights between DFW and 21 cities.
From its Dallas/Fort Worth hub, American Eagle operates more than 250 daily flights to 40 destinations. With a combined fleet of more than 270 jet and turboprop aircraft, American Eagle and its wholly owned Business Express Airlines affiliate operate more than 1,700 daily flights to nearly 140 cities throughout the United States, Canada, The Bahamas and the Caribbean. Members of American's AADVANTAGE frequent traveler program earn a minimum of 500 miles for every American Eagle or Business Express flight.
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American Airlines Begins Daily Tulsa-Los Angeles Nonstop; The Quickest Way to L.A.
TULSA, Okla., Nov. 1 /PRNewswire/ -- American Airlines today began daily nonstop service between Tulsa and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), giving Northeastern Oklahoma its first nonstop link with the West Coast. The new nonstop is in addition to American's existing eight daily connecting flights between Tulsa and LAX, via its DFW Hub.
American's new West Coast service is flown with newly reconfigured Super 80 jetliners. Every Super 80 features more legroom throughout the entire coach cabin -- an American Airlines exclusive.
"American's new nonstop is Tulsa's quickest way to LA," said Gordon Christopher, American's general manager at Tulsa. "The timing of this new nonstop flight means you can arrive in LA early, put in a full day, and then return home to Tulsa that evening. It's the quickest way to LA, and also to cities beyond, throughout the West and across the Pacific."
American and American Eagle together offer 211 daily departures from LAX, giving Tulsa travelers easy connections to dozens of U.S. West Coast cities. Also from LAX, oneworld alliance members Qantas and Cathay Pacific offer easy connections on to cities across Australia, New Zealand and Asia.
American's LAX facilities are undergoing a complete makeover. Next year will mark the completion of a million improvement project at American's Terminal 4 at Los Angeles International, with expanded ticket counter and baggage claim facilities, a new international arrivals facility, a new Admirals Club, a first class lounge, and an executive center.
Here is American's Tulsa/Los Angeles nonstop schedule (all times are local):
FROM TULSA TO LOS ANGELES
Depart at 7:00 a.m. Arrive at 8:27 a.m.
FROM LOS ANGELES TO TULSA
Depart at 6:50 p.m. Arrive at 11:40 p.m.
The LAX nonstop is Tulsa's twenty-first daily flight. American recently added a fifth nonstop to Chicago O'Hare, and American and American Eagle together offer 15 daily nonstops to DFW International Airport.
American Airlines & Tulsa
American and Tulsa have a long history together. In 1928, a predecessor company gave Tulsans their first airline service. After World War II, American was the first to serve Tulsa with new pressurized aircraft, the Convair 240 and Douglas DC-6. To maintain the growing post-war fleet, the City of Tulsa acquired war-surplus Douglas Aircraft hangars and leased them to American. The Tulsa Overhaul Base was the largest of its kind in the world at the time.
The jet age arrived in 1959, and Tulsa and American together again led the way. American completed an expansion of its Overhaul Base, transforming it into the Tulsa Jet Maintenance & Engineering Center -- the first facility of its kind specifically to maintain commercial jetliners. That same year, American brought jet-powered commercial service to Tulsa, with the Lockheed Electra. In 1961 Boeing 707 service began.
As American grew through the years, so did its Tulsa workforce and facilities. Today, the Tulsa maintenance facility performs overhauls on more than 500 aircraft and 600 jet engines annually. Annual Tulsa area procurement is in excess of million. With nearly 10,000 employees in the Tulsa area and a local payroll of more than million annually, American Airlines is Tulsa's largest civilian employer.
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American Eagle Now Has 'Nothing But Jets' at Chicago O'Hare CHICAGO, Nov. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- American Eagle, the regional affiliate of American Airlines, today completed its transition to an all jet operation at Chicago O'Hare International Airport. The airline now offers "nothing but jets" on every one of its 163 daily departures from O'Hare to 31 cities throughout the Midwest.
"This is truly a proud moment in our company's 16-year history," said American Eagle President Peter Bowler. "With jetbridge boarding for all of our flights, a spectacular renovation of our facilities at Concourse G, and now an all jet operation, American Eagle is certainly the leading regional operator at O'Hare. Our customers have told us repeatedly how much they love our regional jets. Now our O'Hare customers can enjoy regional jet service every time they fly American Eagle."
"The City of Chicago congratulates American Eagle on completing its historic transition to an all jet operation at O'Hare," said Thomas Walker, Commissioner of Aviation for the City of Chicago. "This new generation of quieter aircraft has already had a remarkable impact on the industry while providing choices for the traveling public."
American Eagle announced last May that it would gradually convert all of its turboprop flights at O'Hare to regional jets and it began implementing the transition in July. To promote the all jet service, American Eagle has run an advertising campaign the past several weeks carrying the theme, "Nothing But Jets." The campaign includes radio, print and billboard advertising.
American Eagle operates two models of the Embraer regional jet on its O'Hare routes -- the 37-seat ERJ-135 and the 50-seat ERJ-145.
American Eagle has been a pioneer in covered boarding for regional aircraft, especially at O'Hare, where it uses jetbridges to board and deplane all of its flights at Concourse G, and where it is the only regional airline to offer covered boarding. A major renovation of Concourse G is now under way and will be complete by the end of the year.
From O'Hare -- American's "Gateway to the World" -- American and American Eagle combined offer more than 500 daily departures to 102 destinations. American Eagle provides convenient connections to American's flights to Europe and Japan and to cities throughout the United States.
With a fleet of more than 270 jet and turboprop aircraft, American Eagle and its wholly owned Business Express Airlines affiliate offer more than 1,700 daily flights to 140 cities throughout the United States, Canada, The Bahamas and the Caribbean. Members of American's AADVANTAGE frequent traveler program earn a minimum of 500 miles for every American Eagle or Business Express flight.
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CHAOS(TM) at United Airlines' Over the Holidays? Flight Attendant Negotiations Deadline of Nov. 4 is Key
CHICAGO, Oct. 31 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines flight attendants, represented by the Association of Flight Attendants, AFL-CIO, will conduct world-wide actions at airports on Nov. 2.
The actions precede a flight attendant imposed negotiations deadline of Nov. 4 for the conclusion of current wage negotiations with the airline. The actions are intended to demonstrate to United management and the flying public that, should United fail to address flight attendant concerns by the deadline, there will be an unhappy workforce at the airline through the holidays.
Wage talks are on-going and are expected to continue right up to the deadline. Results of the negotiations will be announced in a world-wide webcast on Nov. 6. The webcast will originate in Chicago (and can be viewed by anyone through http://www.unitedafa.org ). Elected flight attendant leaders and negotiators will broadcast to flight attendant union meetings around the world, and flight attendants watching via the world-wide-web, announcing whether they received the raises they deserve, or if it's going to be CHAOS(TM) over the holidays.
CHAOS stands for Create Havoc Around Our System and includes any and all legal means of protest.
CHAOS activities will range from sympathetic passengers leafleting other passengers on airplanes, to passenger education of rights that generally go overlooked, to heightened contract enforcement and court action.
United's 25,000 flight attendants join together in AFA, the world's largest flight attendant union. Visit us at http://www.unitedafa.org .
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American Airlines' Roving Agent Brings Wireless Airport Check In to The Passenger
Thu Nov 2 13:22:00 2000 EST
FORT WORTH, Texas, Nov. 2 /PRNewswire/ -- American Airlines has introduced a wireless check-in device designed to bring personalized service directly to the passenger. The portable hand-held device called "Roving Agent" allows American's airport agents to conveniently check in passengers in the departure areas. Using Roving Agent, the airline's passenger service staff can go directly to the customers, whether they are just walking to the gate area, seated in the lounge, or buying coffee at the nearby coffee stand. Roving Agent will issue bar-coded boarding passes for both originating and connecting flights. The application also allows agents to respond quickly to customer inquiries concerning flight times and status. And because American brings the personalized service to the passenger, Roving Agent helps reduce the time customers spend at the departure gate. American introduced the Roving Agent product this summer at San Jose International Airport where it has been a big success with both customers and employees. Customers enjoy the flexibility and personal service, while the airline's airport employees find the use of the new technology in meeting customer needs very satisfying. American plans to implement Roving Agent in more airports by the end of the year and throughout 2001, equipping a total of about 25 cities with the wireless product. "The Roving Agent concept is just one example of how American is using wireless technology to strengthen our customer service," said Bella Goren, American's vice president of customer services planning. "Our passenger service personnel now have the flexibility to leave the check-in counter and help our customers in a proactive manner. We're very excited about its current capabilities and future applications." Roving Agent is the latest in a series of technology advancements American has implemented this year to enhance its customers' airport experience. The airline recently implemented document-scanning technology in more than 150 airports. The scanners collect passenger data at check in and speed Customs clearance upon arrival in the United States. (www.amrcorp.com/news/jul1500.htm) American also has installed OneStop Curbside in 65 domestic airports. The mobile wireless check-in stations allow passengers to check luggage with a skycap at the curb and obtain bar-coded boarding passes for their flight. (www.amrcorp.com/news/jun1500b.htm) Additionally, American has installed enhanced Gate Information Display Systems (GIDS) this year in Chicago, Phoenix, Philadelphia and Columbus, Ohio. The dual-screen, easy-to-read displays in the gate area provide additional departing and arriving flight information to customers. GIDS will be installed in DFW Terminal B in November, with more locations underway in 2001. American Airlines has a strong commitment to investments in airport technology that will enhance the personalized service offered by its customer service employees. A number of other broad-ranging automation efforts will be introduced in the coming months. Current AMR Corp. (NYSE: AMR) news
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