FORT WORTH, Texas, Dec. 11, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- As a part of
its $2 billion investment to give customers a world-class travel
experience, American Airlines will upgrade its regional fleet by
adding Gogo inflight wireless services to all two-class regional
jets. Nearly 250 of American's regional aircraft will have inflight
wireless Internet service installed by 2016. With this
installation, the world's largest airline will have the largest
fleet of connected regional jets.
"We're investing in a more competitive and consistent customer
experience across our regional, domestic and international
network," said Andrew Nocella,
American's chief marketing officer. "Adding inflight Wi-Fi to our
two-class regional jets will give our customers what they want –
comfort, connectivity and a world-class travel experience. We have
new regional aircraft entering our fleet every month, and combined
with the amenities and services we're adding to our existing fleet,
American is going to deliver a regional product that's better than
our competitors."
American currently has nearly 850 aircraft with Gogo services
and leverages Gogo's air-to-ground (ATG) service and its next
generation ATG-4 technology. Approximately 70 of these 850 aircraft
are two-class regional jets.
"As the first airline to offer our inflight Wi-Fi, American
knows customers value being able to remain connected and
entertained while flying," said Michael
Small, Gogo's president and CEO. "We're excited be a part of
American's efforts to enhance the customer experience by expanding
our connectivity services to more of its regional aircraft."
Having ordered more than 500 new aircraft – with nearly two
planes arriving each week through 2016 – American will offer
customers the youngest fleet of any U.S.-based network carrier. New
aircraft deliveries include 90 large regional jets, the Embraer 175
and Bombardier CRJ900 NextGen. These modern and fuel-efficient
76-seat jets provide customers with a top-tier regional product
with First Class, Main Cabin Extra and Main Cabin seating, larger
overhead bins, more spacious lavatories and leather seats with
adjustable headrests.
The American Eagle and US Airways Express regional networks
operate about 2,600 daily flights for American Airlines and US
Airways, respectively. These flights serve 240 destinations
throughout the United States,
Canada, the Bahamas, the Caribbean and Mexico. Eventually all regional service will
be operated under the American Eagle brand and livery.
American marked the one-year anniversary of its merger earlier
this week by announcing more than $2
billion in investments to give its customers a world-class
travel experience. These investments include expanding inflight
entertainment and connectivity. The airline is adding
satellite-based Internet access to its international fleet
including all Boeing 777s and 787s, Airbus A330s, and retrofitted
Boeing 767-300s and 757s. New 737s, nearly all new A321s, as well
as retrofitted A319s also will have power ports in every row. All
new widebody deliveries, including 777-300ERs and 787s, come with
power at every seat, allowing customers to charge their laptops and
personal electronic devices from gate to gate. American also will
be investing in fully lie-flat seats, more inflight entertainment
options, a new, modern design for Admirals Club lounges worldwide,
and an upgraded assortment of complimentary healthy food, cocktails
and more.
About American Airlines Group
American Airlines Group (NASDAQ: AAL) is the holding company for
American Airlines and US Airways. Together with wholly owned and
third-party regional carriers operating as American Eagle and US
Airways Express, the airlines operate an average of nearly 6,700
flights per day to 339 destinations in 54 countries from its hubs
in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort
Worth, Los Angeles,
Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Washington, D.C. The American Airlines
AAdvantage and US Airways Dividend Miles programs allow members to
earn miles for travel, vacation packages, car rentals, hotel stays
and everyday purchases. Members of both programs can redeem miles
for tickets as well as upgrades to First Class and Business Class.
In addition, AAdvantage members can redeem miles for vacation
packages, car rentals, hotel stays and retail products. American is
a founding member of the oneworld alliance, whose members
and members-elect serve nearly 1,000 destinations with 14,250 daily
flights to 150 countries. Connect with American on Twitter
@AmericanAir and Facebook.com/AmericanAirlines and follow US
Airways on Twitter @USAirways.
About Gogo
Gogo (NASDAQ: GOGO) is a leading global aero-communications
service provider that offers inflight Internet, entertainment, text
messaging, voice and a host of other communications-related
services to the commercial and business aviation markets. Gogo has
more than 2,000 commercial aircraft equipped with its services on
more than 10 major airlines. More than 7,000 business aircraft are
also flying with its solutions, including the world's largest
fractional ownership fleets. Gogo also is a factory option at every
major business aircraft manufacturer.
Gogo has more than 800 employees and is headquartered in
Itasca, IL, with additional
facilities in Broomfield, CO, and
various locations overseas. Connect with us at www.gogoair.com and
www.business.gogoair.com.
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SOURCE American Airlines