AST, American Airlines sign strategic long-term business agreement.

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 15, 1995--AST Research Inc. and American Airlines, Inc. have signed a long-term business agreement making AST a key computer supplier to American Airlines in North America. This strategic business relationship reflects a shared commitment to customer satisfaction.

AST will supply desktop, notebook and server systems to meet needs within American's vast customer base, including SABRE(R) Travel Information Network (STIN). STIN includes the well-known SABRE computer reservations system (CRS), the world's largest privately owned, real-time computer network.

This business agreement, which commences with signing on May 15, 1995, and stretches to the year 2000, further solidifies a relationship that has developed over the past several years. More than 75,000 systems have been delivered to American to date. The companies have agreed to share business objectives, whenever possible, and work together to maximize business opportunities. The agreement cites objectives for improvements in cost, quality, cycle-time and new technology management, all aimed at optimizing benefits to the end user -- the travel agency community, reservationists, airport personnel and American's internal operations.

"Our commitment to American Airlines and this business solution has deep roots, stemming from our long-standing relationship and our mutual objective of customer satisfaction," said Safi Qureshey, AST's chairman and chief executive officer. "Through the strength of this relationship, we will be able to deliver industry leading equipment to American and various reservation agencies."

Qureshey and John MacLean, American Airlines vice president of purchasing, were on hand for the signing of the agreement at American Airlines' Dallas/Fort Worth headquarters today.

"AST has a proven track record within our organization, supplying highly reliable products with superior service," said MacLean. "Their systems have become an important link behind delivery of our total technology solution, allowing us to fulfill our obligations to our customers in a timely way. We have every intention of continuing our business relationship with AST for the foreseeable future."

Using AST(R) personal computers as a platform, travel agents and other end users can effectively access the SABRE CRS. SABRE is used by travel agents and corporations worldwide to book airline, car and hotel reservations, as well as to order other travel related goods and services. Initially the agreement covers the United States, Canada and the Caribbean and may expand into other countries as required.

American Airlines, Inc., a subsidiary of Dallas/Forth Worth-based AMR Corporation, is one of the largest scheduled passenger airlines in the world. American serves more than 170 cities throughout the United States, the Caribbean, Mexico, Europe, Japan and Latin America.

The SABRE Group coordinates AMR's technology businesses, including SABRE Decision Technologies, AMR Training & Consulting Group Inc., and the American Airlines SABRE Computer Services and SABRE Travel Information Network divisions. SABRE Travel Information Network serves more than 28,000 locations in 74 countries worldwide.

AST Research Inc., a member of the Fortune 500 list of America's largest industrial and service companies, is one of the world's leading personal computer manufacturers. The $2.367 billion company develops PC products ranging from portable systems to superservers sold in more than 100 countries worldwide. Corporate headquarters is located at 16215 Alton Parkway, P.O. Box 57005, Irvine, Calif. 92619-7005. Telephone [phone] or 800/8766-4278, fax: [phone]. -0- NOTE TO EDITORS: AST is a registered trademark of AST Research, Inc. SABRE is a registered trademark of American Airlines, Inc. All other product or service names mentioned herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks of other respective owners.

CONTACT: AST Research, Inc., Irvine

Gerry Lynne Baker, 714/727-7959