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We are proud of our long history of supporting charitable organizations and important causes, which has continued despite industry and economic challenges. The approximately 1,400 organizations we support contribute to society in many ways, providing human health and education services, arts and entertainment, and support for large civic undertakings.
We contributed more than $36.9 million to non-profit organizations in 2010 through in-kind contributions.
American and American Eagle have many charitable programs providing support to the communities in which we operate. We sponsor charities that are important to our customers and that can also foster employee involvement. Our efforts reflect that the places we fly each have unique, local needs. Some issues, however, affect people and communities all over the world. Thus, in addition to local efforts, American has four primary company-wide giving focus areas:
American Airlines Kids in Need Program
The Miles for Kids in Need® program, established in 1989 and now expanded and renamed American Airlines Kids in Need, provides worldwide support for children and their families. Children are among those most vulnerable to abuse and illness. As a company and through employee volunteer efforts, we support organizations dedicated to improving the quality of life for children with medical, educational, and social services needs, and groups that heighten public awareness of children's issues.
- In 2010, American Airlines transported 30 children from El Salvador to the United States for critical heart surgery. This project was the largest single initiative in the history of the Kids In Need program. In addition, American sent 2,000 pounds of nutritional supplements to assist families in El Salvador.
- American and Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children partnered once again in 2010 to send 14 teenagers with amputations on a ski trip tailored just for them. The group traveled to Winter Park, Colorado, for the 29th Annual Amputee Ski Trip. For the fifth consecutive year, American provided air travel for the teenagers, medical staff and chaperones for the once-in-a-lifetime experience.
In addition to in-kind support, American donates a million miles each year to the American Airlines Kids in Need program. We increase our social impact by partnering with AAdvantage® members who can also donate their miles. To read more about this program, please visit AA.com/kids.
In Support of All Who Serve
 AMR pilots honor those who serve
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American Airlines has a long history of supporting veterans and military servicemen and women, a tradition dating to World War II when American’s first CEO, C.R. Smith, was appointed Chief of Staff of the Air Transport Command. Today, more than 60 percent of American’s pilots and approximately 10 percent of all American Airlines and American Eagle employees are active military service members or veterans. Travel amenities for active military include priority boarding, preferred seating and upgrades if available; waived baggage fees, complimentary Admirals Club® admission for qualifying active members of the military, priority baggage delivery to the claim area, and reduced-rate shipping via American Airlines CargoSM.
American Airlines and American Eagle are involved in a wide variety of military charities supporting our men and women in uniform and their families. Our initiatives include providing air travel to active members and veterans, fundraising generated through fuel conservation efforts and partnerships with entertainers to perform for troops. Through these charitable efforts, American and American Eagle continue to make a difference in the lives of those serving our country.
In 2010, American Airlines became the first official airline partner in the USO’s 70-year history of supporting U.S. military service members. As the USO’s official airline, American is providing in-kind support and fundraising assistance, including a special American Airlines travel gift card. When purchasers select the USO gift card option, American will donate $5 to the USO for every $50 of travel purchased. Also, AAdvantage® members can earn 10 miles for each dollar donated through American’s Miles In Support of All Who Serve campaign, which contributes to USO programs and services to support the morale, welfare, and social and entertainment needs of troops and their families, free of charge.
To learn more about ongoing programs we support, please click on the following links:
Honoring military heroes and veterans
In 2010, American donated the us of six charter aircraft to fly more than 1,300 spouses and children of fallen military heroes from all over the country for an all-expense-paid vacation to the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex. The trip was organized in conjunction with Snowball Express, a nonprofit organization established in 2006 to bring a few days of fun and friendship to the families of military servicemen and women who lost their lives. More than 500 employees volunteered their time to staff the trip and assist with activities.
American partnered with HBO and the Honor Flight Network in March 2010 to transport two special groups of World War II veterans to Washington, D.C. to be recognized for their service. Two hundred fifty WWII veterans who served in the Pacific paid a visit to the World War II Memorial. The special charter began in Chicago and made stops to pick up veterans in Cleveland, New York and Boston. American also flew 382 former Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP), the first women in history trained to fly American military aircraft, from around the country to Washington, D.C., where they received the Congressional Gold Medal from President Obama.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Employees at the Mexico City reservations office show support during the “Passionately Pink” breast cancer awareness day
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American has supported Susan G. Komen for the Cure® for almost 30 years. In addition to being the organization's official airline, American became its first Lifetime Promise Partner in 2008. As a Lifetime Promise Partner, we have committed to raising $1 million annually for eight years to fund a five-year study of inflammatory breast cancer at the University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, as well as a series of health and community programs.
In 2010, direct and indirect support for the Susan G. Komen Race For The Cure® was estimated to be more than $14.4 million and involved nearly 20,000 employee donors and volunteers. And as of January 2011, American Airlines employees also raised $110,000 through our participation in the Susan G. Komen Passionately Pink for the Cure campaign that takes place during National Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October.
To read more about our efforts, please visit our AA.com/komen website.
Employee-led Charities
Medical Wings International/AA bring Salvadoran children to the U.S. to receive heart surgeries
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American Airlines and American Eagle employees are committed to giving back and enriching others' lives. They frequently start their own charitable organizations or take significant roles in organizing major events to aid those in need. At a corporate level, we are just as committed to empowering and supporting employees in their efforts. Examples include:
- Airline Ambassadors International (AAI), a U.N.-recognized humanitarian aid organization founded in 1996 by American Airlines Flight Attendant Nancy Rivard. With over 6,000 members from across the airline industry, AAI provides humanitarian aid to children and families in need, as well as relief and development to communities worldwide. Members have started schools, clinics, housing projects, and vocational training programs, reaching over 500,000 children.
- Medical Wings International, a medical relief nonprofit whose founder and executive director is Dallas-based cargo agent Glenda Johnson. Medical Wings International brings health care to hundreds of underserved communities around the globe.
American Eagle employees in Cleveland participate in the Something mAAgic Foundations' 15th Wish Flight. Four year old Ian and his twin brother Lance are greeted by superheroes and their favorite characters from Toy Story
- Something mAAgic Foundation brings together American Airlines, American Eagle Airlines and AA Credit Union employees through a variety of fundraising activities throughout the year. In 2010, in partnership with American Airlines Miles for Kids program, funds raised helped transport 42 critically-ill children and their families from 12 different countries to Give Kids The World Village. Give Kids The World Village is a 70-acre resort outside of Orlando, Florida, complete with over 140 Villa accommodations, entertainment attractions, and whimsical venues specifically designed for children with special needs.
Giving in Times of Need
Our support of charitable organizations also extends far beyond the four primary focus areas. At American, we believe in using our resources and special expertise to help people and communities in need. We play an especially critical role after natural disasters, when we offer assistance that few others can—namely, the ability to fly relief suppliers and workers into the affected region.
American is proud to donate its aircraft and allow employees to volunteer their time to bring first responders, emergency equipment, food, water, and other critical supplies to where they are needed most. We also make our facilities, such as hangars and maintenance bases, available for relief supplies and operations. Our history of disaster relief includes:
American Eagle employees loading relief supplies bound for Haiti
- Hurricane Katrina in 2007
- Hurricane Ike in 2008
- Earthquakes in Haiti and Chile in 2010
- Japan earthquake and tsunami of 2011
We were the first airline into Haiti after the January 2010 earthquake. As a company that has provided air service to Haiti for 40 years we understand the enormous needs and the role we play in this developing country. American and American Eagle flew 30 missions into Haiti carrying over 400,000 pounds of relief supplies in addition to transporting medical and relief personnel. We also worked with the military delivering Stars and Stripes to the personnel stationed there. To read more about our Haiti relief efforts, please click here.
American Airlines is partnering with the American Red Cross to help the victims affected by the March 11, 2011 earthquake in Japan and the resulting tsunami in the Pacific. For a limited time, AAdvantage members earn a one-time AAdvantage bonus mile award for their donation to the American Red Cross. These gifts from AAdvantage members support disaster relief efforts to help those affected by the tragedy in Japan and the tsunami throughout the Pacific.
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