Company Watch - American Airlines.

American Airlines 

American Airlines, which can trace its history back 80 years, yesterday launched a daily nonstop service from Chicago O'Hare to Shanghai, its first foray into China. Flight time for the three-class Boeing 777 flight is around 14 hours. It is however not American's longest flight, that honor going to Chicago - Delhi, normally 30 minutes further, once again a 777 featuring the carrier's Flagship Suite in first class. United Airlines is already established on the route with a similar Boeing 777 operation. Until airlines in general introduce competitive single sector long haul fares business users will find difficulties in making a comparison. http://www.aa.com Apr 2, 2006

American starts GDS contract renewals with Worldspan. American Airlines announced the signing of a five-year comprehensive content distribution agreement with Worldspan yesterday that will go into effect Aug. 1."Worldspan's expertise and historic ability to manage the demands of a global carrier with multichannel distribution needs were key factors in choosing them as a long-term distributor of American's fare and inventory content," AA Senior VP-Global Sales David Cush said. Earlier this month, AA protested an agreement between Amadeus and Sabre allowing customers to complete bookings through the other GDS should an airline drop out. AA said the agreement may be in violation of its contracts with the four principal GDSs, all of which expire this year. The airline said it may not elect to participate in all four GDSs going forward. Mar 31, 2006

American rehires Horton as chief financial officer. American Airlines has rehired Thomas W. Horton as its chief financial officer. Horton left American in 2002 to become financial chief and vice chairman at AT&T. Before the AT&T move, Horton had worked at American for 17 years, serving in a variety of roles. Mar 30, 2006

China routes put U.S. carriers at odds. U.S. airlines that have received access to the Chinese market are facing competition from rival carriers. American Airlines is among the carriers that have received limited flying rights. Continental Airlines and United Airlines are expected to compete for similar rights when they become available next year. Mar 30, 2006

An American Airlines flight bound for Chicago experienced engine trouble after lifting off from LaGuardia Airport on Thursday and was forced to make an emergency landing in New Jersey. The jet touched down safely at Newark Liberty International Airport just past noon. No one aboard was injured. The pilot made the landing with power from just one engine after the second one was shut down following an apparent malfunction, aviation and airline officials said. Mar 30, 2006

AMR Corp., parent of American Airlines, reported in an SEC filing that it expects first-quarter consolidated unit revenue to increase 9.9%-10.9% over the year-ago quarter. Unit costs were 11.83 cents in February, or 8.57 cents excluding fuel. Quarterly CASM is expected to be 11.36 cents, or 8.13 cents excluding fuel. AA has hedged 32% of its first-quarter fuel consumption at $63 per barrel. Mar 30, 2006

AMR announced the return of Thomas Horton, who will become CFO and executive VP-finance and planning. Horton left AMR in June 2002 to join AT&T. He succeeds James Beer, who announced his resignation in February to take a job with a California software firm. AMR also announced the impending retirement of Senior VP-Miami, Caribbean and Latin America Peter Dolara and American Beacon Advisors President William Quinn. As a result, it named VP-Europe and Pacific Division Craig Keeger as senior VP-international and VP and General Sales Manager C. David Cush as senior VP-global sales. VP and Controller Douglas Herring will succeed Quinn as ABA president and Quinn will remain as CEO and chairman. Isabella Goren was named senior VP-customer relationship marketing and reservations and MD-Airline Profitability and Financial Analysis Brian McMenamy was named VP and controller succeeding Herring. Mar 30, 2006

American to restrict summer expansion. American Airlines plans to curtail its summer expansion this year. The carrier hopes the plan helps it break even for the first time in six years. "Our levels of flying don't peak up as much this summer," said Henry Joyner, American's senior vice president for planning. Mar 28, 2006

Market opens between China, U.S.; American launches flights. American Airlines will launch its first flight from Chicago to Shanghai on Sunday, the result of a landmark Air Services Agreement. The agreement will allow a large increase in air service between the U.S. and China by 2011. Mar 28, 2006