Every Promise American Has Made

“American will introduce new Flagship Suite business-class seats on Boeing 787-9 and Airbus A321XLR aircraft, open a new Flagship Lounge at Philadelphia, and retrofit the entire fleet with high-speed Wi-Fi by end of 2025.”

The Flagship Suite seats have begun arriving on new 787-9 deliveries. The PHL Flagship Lounge is under construction. Wi-Fi retrofit is proceeding but full fleet coverage has not been confirmed complete.

“American will add 40 to 50 new aircraft in 2025 and recover Chicago O'Hare hub to pre-pandemic service levels by reintroducing regional jets.”

American has been taking delivery of new Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A321neo aircraft through 2025. Boeing delivery delays have affected the pace. O'Hare hub service has expanded with regional jet reintroductions.

“We are winning back corporate business that moved away during our distribution changes. The team is delivering on our commitments.”

American reported gradual recovery of corporate accounts through late 2024 and into 2025, but analysts estimated the airline never fully recouped the $1.5 billion in lost revenue from the NDC debacle. Corporate share of revenue improved but remained below pre-NDC levels.

“We must do more to enhance NDC instead of removing content from GDS. American will restore full fare content and loyalty rewards to all booking channels.”

American reversed its punitive NDC strategy, restored fare content to GDS platforms, resumed AAdvantage points for non-NDC bookings, and began paying commissions on NDC bookings. The reversal was complete by late 2024.

“American's new direct distribution strategy through NDC will benefit customers with the best fares and loyalty rewards available only through preferred channels.”

The NDC strategy was a disaster. American pulled 40% of its lowest fares from traditional booking channels, slashed agency sales staff, and canceled corporate incentive contracts. ASTA called it 'a clear abuse of market power.' The strategy cost American an estimated $1.5 billion in lost revenue in 2024 as corporate clients booked elsewhere. Isom reversed course in May 2024, restoring GDS content and AAdvantage points for non-NDC bookings.

“American Airlines will reduce total debt by $15 billion from peak levels by the end of 2025.”

American hit $13 billion in debt reduction by end of 2024, on pace but not yet at the $15 billion target. The airline continues to prioritize debt paydown in 2025.