Flight Featured Texas Author’s Furello Children’s Books and Toy Characters

CHICAGO – The recent inaugural flight of American Airlines' daily nonstop service from Chicago O’Hare International Airport to Shanghai Pu Dong International Airport in Shanghai, China, included several items that gave the flight a true Texas flair.

Author Harriett Fabrick of Houston provided 50 copies of her Furello and Furello Journeys books, as well as 100 stuffed toys based on characters in the critically acclaimed children’s books and a Texas Bear toy complete with a charming poem.

"Because of Harriett Fabrick’s long association with the Chinese community in Texas and the universal appeal of her children’s books, we thought it was an excellent fit for our inaugural flight to Shanghai from Chicago,” said Roger Frizzell, American's Vice President of Corporate Communications and Advertising. “She was gracious enough to provide the toys and books for the younger -- and young at heart -- passengers on the flight.”

Fabrick’s Furello books and teachers’ workbooks have been used in classrooms in a number of school systems in the U.S., providing significant results in reading improvement among elementary, middle and high school students. Furello has been translated into a number of languages and is currently being translated into Chinese.

“Furello is a young unicorn who travels away from home to many diverse destinations to seek the most important thing in life,” said Fabrick. “It is fitting that he was included on the new American Airlines flight to a new destination. We’re thrilled to be associated with the world’s largest airline and one of the world’s most recognizable brands.”

American is operating the Shanghai flight using 245-seat Boeing 777-200 aircraft, the largest in American’s fleet. In First Class, the 777 features 16 award-winning, customer-favorite Flagship Suite seats that transform into a fully flat six-foot, six-inch bed with drop-down armrests that allow for easier access and more sleeping space. In addition, each suite features privacy dividers, power ports, leather headrests and a host of other comforts designed to enhance the travel experience.

Business Class passengers also have convenient access to a number of amenities, including gourmet food, in-flight entertainment and power ports in every seat.
While First Class passengers will enjoy using a personal video player with up to 20 movie selections, Business Class and Main Cabin passengers will enjoy a personal video monitor with 10 in-seat channels. Power ports are also available in the Main Cabin at selected seats.

In flight, passengers enjoy American's award-winning International Flagship Service, which features a selection of dining, beverage and entertainment options. With assistance from the American Airlines Asian/Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group, and in conjunction with Chinese chefs based in the U.S., American created a special menu for the Shanghai flights that features both Chinese- and Western-inspired selections that will appeal to all passengers.

At more than 7,000 miles, the route is the second-longest in American’s network, behind American’s Chicago-to-Delhi route. To commemorate the new flight, AAdvantage members can earn 15,000 bonus miles for round-trip travel in First or Business Class or 7,500 bonus miles for round-trip travel in Economy Class (Y, B, H, or K booking classes) when they fly between Chicago and Shanghai through June 30, 2006. To qualify, purchase an eligible published-fare ticket and register prior to travel at www.aa.com/offers using promotion code AAPVG or by calling the AAdvantage Dial-In system at (800) 882-8880. Visit www.aa.com/offers for full bonus-offer details.

About The Author
Harriett Fabrick, her co-writer and daughter, Amie, and a variety of pet companions are at home in Texas, the Land of Bluebonnets and Indian Paintbrush. Furello Journeys, the second book in the series of six, visualizes some of the endangered species, their habitat and environment. Hencha's Son is a prequel to Furello, which explains how a unicorn gets its horn and how a unicorns name is chosen, and a brief history of one of the native American Indian Nations.

About American Airlines
American Airlines is the world's largest airline. American, American Eagle and AmericanConnection ® serve 250 cities in over 40 countries with more than 3,900 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 sm 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 more than 600 destinations in over 135 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com and AAdvantage are registered trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE: AMR)