Airline news

American Airlines launches new food and amenities for first-class passengers

New amenities at American Airlines.

American Airlines

Texas-based American Airlines has launched a new set of premium amenities and revamped menu items ahead of the summer travel season.

The changes come as the result of both customer and staff feedback, according to AA VP Kim Cisek, and are expected to roll out on Memorial Day 2024 weekend.

According to a release, American worked with a mix of boutique and well-known brands to create a program that will evolve throughout the years and feature rotating designs and skincare products in addition to a new "bedding" program.

Amenity kit
Customers flying in premium cabins with American Airlines will receive an amenity kit filled with items such as a toothbrush, dental kit, eye mask, and earplugs, plus a rotating cast of skincare products. The airline has collaborated with beauty retailer Thirteen Lune to offer skincare products from brands like Joanna Vargas and Relevant.

Bedding
In addition to the kits, the airline is launching revamped bedding, pillows, and sleepwear. First-class and business-class passengers will have dual-sided pillows with cool touch fabric on one side and traditional fabric on the other.

First-class international travelers will now get a pair of slippers during their flights, in addition to the pajamas the airline previously provided.

All travelers on the plane, including Premium Economy and Main Cabin, will get new bedding options, including lumbar pillows, throw blankets, premium duvets, and fleece blankets.

American collaborated with the inflight textile company John Horsfall to develop bedding made with recycled materials from their Re-Thread collection.

Nearly all of the pillows, duvets and blankets created for American flights were made with recycled fibers that maintain a premium feel, while filled bedding includes 100 percent recycled fill. To reduce single-use plastic waste, customers traveling in Flagship First, Flagship Business, and Premium Economy will receive their bedding in a reusable zipper product bag, also made with recycled fibers, saving tons of plastic waste a year.

American Airlines food New dishes available on American Airlines flights.AA

Food
Last but not least, the new amenities program includes new menu items inspired by popular international travel destinations.

Flights from the U.S. to international destinations such as Nice, France, Naples, Italy, or Copenhagen, Denmark, will get options such as macadamia-crusted sea bass with citrus cream sauce, quinoa, toasted orzo, and haricots verts.

Business class flights from the U.S. to international destinations will get options such as pan-roasted chicken and tortellini pasta.

Business class flights from Europe will get menu items like chili-marinated chicken with mojo verde sauce, sweet potato mash, roasted corn and mini chili; or gnocchi duet with plain and beet gnocchi, lentil ragout, apple chutney, brown butter, roasted spring onion, and green onion.

Travelers on domestic first class flights can order shawarma chicken, three-cheese sacchetti pasta, chicken enchiladas, or a plant based stuffed red pepper. Customers can also choose from new pre-order options such as short rib mac and cheese.

The new amenities program will be available on more than 300 international and transcontinental flights. The airline also plans to unveil new suite seats with privacy doors later this year.

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Airline News

San Antonio gets nonstop flights to this Washington, DC airport

Photo courtesy of American Airlines

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American Airlines will soon introduce long-awaited nonstop flights between San Antonio (SAT) and Washington, D.C. (DCA). One flight will be scheduled daily, starting in March.

Tickets for the new service will be available on sale starting December 23 through aa.com or American’s mobile app.

The route was tentatively announced in October, but the U.S. Department of Transportation has now formally approved the application by American Airlines.

“This new service will offer convenient nonstop access to our nation’s capital for San Antonians, while helping further connect customers to our comprehensive global network," said Brian Znotins, American’s Senior Vice President of Network and Schedule Planning, in a press release. "American thanks the many elected officials and citizens who supported our application, and we look forward to welcoming customers onboard this new service soon.”

Flight 1718, reflecting the year San Antonio was founded, will depart SAT at 6:35 am and arrive in DCA at 10:41 am. Flight 1947, reflecting the year the U.S. Air Force was established, will depart DCA at 7:45 pm and arrive in SAT at 10:43 pm.

“This long-awaited connection to our nation’s capital is a game changer for our community, opening doors to countless opportunities for travel and economic development,” said San Antonio Mayor Ron Nirenberg. “I’m grateful to those who have championed this effort and for the bipartisan support of our representatives in the Senate and House, whose advocacy was instrumental in making these flights a reality. We look forward to the positive impact this nonstop service will have for years to come."

San Antonio City Manager Erik Walsh echoed the sentiments about economic development and pointed out some growth already happening in San Antonio. The release also notes that San Antonio is the largest city in Texas lacking nonstop service to DCA and the largest city in the U.S. with a majority Hispanic population without nonstop service to DCA.

“Serving the fastest-growing city in the country, SAT has achieved record-breaking passenger numbers throughout 2024. This nonstop service to and from DCA addresses a need for our military, business, educational and research communities, among others. It also promotes competition and offers more travel options for passengers flying to and from San Antonio, enhancing connectivity as we continue making progress on the airport Terminal Development Program.”

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