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American Airlines Celebrates 10th Anniversary of Chicago-Tokyo Route Launch

CHICAGO, May 1 PRNewswire-FirstCall — It seems like only yesterday, but on May 1, 1998, an American Airlines MD-11 took flight from O'Hare International Airport (ORD), touching down nearly 13 hours later at Tokyo's Narita International Airport (NRT) — the first nonstop service offered by American between the two cities. Ten years later, the Boeing 777 aircraft has long since replaced the MD-11, but the route continues to be integral to American's international schedule.

"It is truly exciting to reach this milestone," said Loretta Kuss, American's Director of Passenger Sales - Chicago. "Since the launch of Chicago-Tokyo service, we have had consistently strong load factors and, thanks to the continued support of our customers, we now operate seven flights a week in both directions."

American Airlines also became a founding member of the oneworld(R) Alliance in 1998, making it possible for customers arriving in Tokyo to connect to a wide variety of destinations throughout Asia and beyond.

"We are extremely proud of our international growth at O'Hare, with a network that spans four continents," said Kuss. "Our extensive network and schedule provides the flexibility our business customers need — to so many important destinations."

Currently, American Airlines and American Eagle offer a total of 500 flights a day to 120 destinations from Chicago O'Hare, one of the world's major airports.

One exciting addition on Chicago-Tokyo flights is the introduction of American's next-generation Business Class cabin in all of its Boeing 777s. Features of the new Business Class include: innovative lie-flat seats, personal in-flight entertainment systems with on-demand audio and video, and an improved cabin design with power ports and increased lighting. By the summer of 2008, all American Airlines flights on this route will be updated with the new Business Class cabin amenities.

Since the Chicago-Tokyo route began, American Airlines service has included Japanese-speaking crew members and specialized menu items. More recently, American — with assistance from employees in Japan, flight attendants, and in conjunction with Gate Gourmet International — expanded its menu options for flights between the United States and Japan that feature both Japanese- and Western-inspired selections. One example of the Japanese- inspired entrees includes a kobachi dish of grilled eel and Japanese cucumber salad topped with yam paste and salmon roe, garnished with seaweed flakes and ginger julienne, a hassun dish of broiled Atka mackerel, Japanese-style egg omelette, shrimp ceviche with papaya and vegetable relish, with salmon roe in a cherry tomato cup and braised broad beans. In addition, the menu features traditional Japanese soups such as miso soup with wakame seaweed and tofu. American also offers an option allowing First and Business Class passengers to pre-order Japanese-style entrees.

At the center of American Airlines' premium service is its award-winning wine selection. American selects fine wines from the major wine growing regions of the world and, at any given time, has more than 60 wines available on its flights. American recently received accolades in two categories of Global Traveler magazine's annual "Wines on the Wing" International Business Class Airline Wine Competition for 2007.

A major enhancement for Tokyo travelers has been American's early-2007 move to the new Terminal 2 at Narita International Airport, significantly improving convenience for travelers by housing American and four of its fellow oneworld Alliance airlines in the same facility. Customers connecting between American and fellow oneworld airlines now enjoy significantly reduced connection times as well as a more convenient passenger check-in location, with closer proximity to check in, go through immigration, or access American's gates, or enter the new Admirals Club(R) lounge.

The new 13,300-square-foot Admirals Club lounge in Terminal 2 features state-of-the-art technology including personal computers, printing solutions, free Wi-Fi access and more. Additional amenities at the club include a conference room equipped with a flat-panel television, two large flat-panel TVs in the lounge area and spa-like shower facilities.

"It's been a great 10 years, with so many innovations in the air and on the ground," Kuss said. "We look forward to the future, as we continue to offer our customers new destinations, greater convenience, and the access and flexibility they count on from American."

About American Airlines

American Airlines is the world's largest airline. American, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection(R) airlines serve 250 cities in over 40 countries with more than 4,000 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 1,000 aircraft. American's award-winning Web site, AA.com, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld(R) Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve nearly 700 destinations in over 140 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, the AmericanConnection(R) airlines, AA.com and AAdvantage are registered trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE: AMR)

AmericanAirlines(R) We know why you fly(R) Current AMR Corp. releases can be accessed on the Internet. The address is http://www.aa.com

SOURCE American Airlines

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