Tell Me Why

After a brief hiatus, Tell Me Why returns with a familiar face and an exciting announcement. Chief Revenue Officer Vasu Raja explains the strategy behind the announcement of a strategic partnership with JetBlue, which will create which will create a seamless connecting network serving the Northeast. Vasu explains how the partnership allows both airlines opportunities to grow services, offer more options to customers and build a one-of-a-kind customer experience for those traveling out of New York City and Boston.

In this episode of Tell Me Why, Brady Byrnes, Managing Director of Base Operations, talks about the upcoming launch of the new Lands’ End uniform collection for Flight Service, Airport Customer Service and Premium Guest Services. We’ve been on the journey to new uniforms for several years. On March 2, more than 50,000 team members will debut the new industry-leading collection, and we couldn’t be more excited.

Season 3 of Tell Me Why premieres with Senior Vice President of Network Strategy Vasu Raja. Tune in to learn more about our new West Coast International Alliance with Alaska Airlines, the exciting new routes that our new West Coast gateway in Seattle will offer and why this is great news for our business.

In the latest episode of Tell Me Why, we sat down with Brian Kelly, founder and CEO of The Points Guy. Brian discusses his first redemption trip on US Airways at age 12, loyalty trends and his predictions on the future of the industry. Brian also shares his favorite destination served by American.

In the latest episode of Tell Me Why, Ralph Lopez, Vice President of the Integrated Operations Center, talks about what takes place at the facility on a day-to-day basis, the latest technology and tools used to help run the operation efficiently, as well as the biggest challenge they face with managing an airline of this size.

In the latest episode of Tell Me Why, we visited the Roswell International Air Center in New Mexico and sat down with center's director Scott Stark. Scott talks about why Roswell is the perfect location for aircraft storage, what happens to airplanes after they arrive and how the aircraft boneyard has helped put Roswell on the aviation map.

Check out the latest episode of Tell Me Why, in which Adrienne Schneider, Director of Benefits, shares the scoop on Annual Enrollment for 2020 benefits. Adrienne discusses several enhancements we’re making for 2020, introduces the DFW ConnectedCare option for DFW-area team members and previews several other changes team members can look forward to for 2020 like an enhanced Wellness program.

In this episode of Tell Me Why, Neisha Strambler-Butler, Vice President of Compensation and Benefits, discusses the need to increase dialogue about mental health to remove the stigma and what resources are available to help team members care for themselves and others.

In this episode of Tell Me Why, Brady Byrnes, Managing Director of Base Operations, talks about the industry-leading uniform program for Flight Service, Airport Customer Service and Premium Customer Services. With the highest level of garment certification, an unprecedented level of feedback and more choice than ever before, the American uniform program is one-of-a-kind in the industry.

In this episode of Tell Me Why, special guest Theresa Colarusso, head of Client Success at True Fit, joins Brady Byrnes, Managing Director of Base Operations, to talk about the technology behind True Fit, an online tool that team members in Flight Service, Airport Customer Service and Premium Customer Services will use to get personalized size recommendations when ordering begins for the new Lands' End uniform Oct. 23. Team members can find additional information about True Fit, including FAQs, a quick reference guide and a link to create a True Fit profile.

In the latest episode of Tell Me Why, Margaret Dobberstein, Managing Director of Payroll Operations, and Sam Liyanage, Managing Director of Accounting Automation, talk about what team members can look forward to when they move to the new payroll system, the behind-the-scenes work involved with launching the new system and resources available to make the transition a smooth one.

In the latest episode of Tell Me Why, we visited the Roswell International Air Center in New Mexico and sat down with Pilot Career Development Senior Analyst Cameron Row and DFW Terminal D American Airlines Credit Union Manager Brian Kilian. They discussed how much the MD-80 aircraft has meant to them and their perspectives on the retirement. Both showed how they've memorialized major aviation milestones in their lives.

In the latest episode of Tell Me Why, we spent time at the IOC with Jim Butler, Senior Vice President of International and Cargo. Jim discusses how two-way conversations between leaders and team members have led to better operational results, why the joint business agreement with Qantas is important and what it takes to set up service in new international destinations.

Check out the latest episode of Tell Me Why, in which we spent time in front of Terminal F at PHL with Glenda Rivera, Director of Regional Operations for Piedmont. Glenda discusses how the regional team coordinates with the mainline, the evolution of the regional operation and how creating consistency in their practices has proven to be beneficial.

Last week in our special two-part episode of Tell Me Why, Vasu Raja, Vice President of Network and Schedule Planning, explained how we're entering Tel Aviv, why Eastern Europe works so well from ORD and why we're calling Morocco the gateway to Africa. Watch Part 2, where Vasu breaks down our PHL strategy, explains the importance of our Joint Business partners and the role they play in our new routes, and shares the vision for our international and domestic network growth in the future.

In a special two-part episode of Tell Me Why, we are talking to Vasu Raja, Vice President of Network and Schedule Planning about our historic summer 2020 announcement. Tune in to Part 1 where Vasu explains how we’re going to enter back into Tel Aviv, why Eastern Europe works so well from ORD and why we’re calling Morocco the gateway to Africa.

In the latest episode of Tell Me Why, we spent time at PHL with Sophia Philis Ortiz, Managing Director of Customer Operations, and Lakshman Amaranayaka, Managing Director of Customer Care. Together, they discuss how the team positively influences our customers’ journeys, how they focus on those customers having a safe, reliable and on-time trip, and how the leadership team works together to support frontline team members.

In the latest episode of Tell Me Why, we spent time at PHL in Terminal A West with Jim Moses, Vice President of Hub Operations. Jim discusses the goal of making PHL the airport of choice for travelers, how the team is focused on caring for people on life's journey and our new trans-Atlantic service to Bologna, Italy, Berlin and Dubrovnik, Croatia.

In the latest episode of Tell Me Why, we spent time on the ramp at CLT with Jeannie Driscoll, Managing Director of Customer Operations. With a Boeing 767 loading in the background, Jeannie discusses how her team is coming together to ensure the more than 50,000 bags they handle on a daily basis arrive with their owners at their destinations.

In the latest episode of Tell Me Why, President Robert Isom explains the why behind our decision to order 50 Airbus A321XLR aircraft. The A321XLR is a new narrowbody aircraft that can fly more than 4,700 nautical miles, which will help us grow our East Coast hubs to new destinations in Europe and South America.

In the latest episode of Tell Me Why, we celebrate Pride Month with Patrick O’Keeffe, Senior Vice President of People; Suzanne Boda, Senior Vice President of Los Angeles; and Paula Randall, PHL-based Flight Attendant. Together, they discussed American’s long-time support of the LGBTQ community and the role it plays in becoming a leader in diversity, inclusion and equity.

In this episode of Tell Me Why, Tim Skipworth, Vice President of Airport Affairs and Facilities, discusses some of the major projects in development with Corporate Real Estate, including the new hospitality complex at the Robert L. Crandall Campus. Tim explains the need for the new facility and how this complex will bring our teams together and capture the vision for One Campus, One Team.

In the latest episode of Tell Me Why, we met with Dalia Aho, Managing Director of Customer Care, in the iconic rocking chairs at CLT, our second largest hub. She discusses the CLT700 initiative and how excited her team is about the increased flight schedule. She also explains how the CLT team uses automated resources and tools to help elevate the customer experience during stormy summer nights.

In the latest episode of Tell Me Why, we celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with Don Casey, Senior Vice President of Revenue Management, and Anna Tai, Senior Manager of Cabin Experience. Don is the executive sponsor of the Asian Pacific Islander (API) Employee Business Resource Group (EBRG) and Anna is among its members. Together, they discussed the purpose of EBRG executive sponsors, the mission of EBRGs, the impactful role API has played in our Asian network expansion and how everyone can get involved in EBRGs.

In the latest episode of Tell Me Why, we met with Dale Salisbury, Managing Director of DFW Customer Operations, who discusses the importance of aircraft turns to our operation, how teamwork and communication across workgroups is vital to our success and what DFW is doing to prepare for additional flights, customers and connecting bags.

In the latest episode of Tell Me Why, we met with Kurt Stache, Senior Vice President of Marketing, Loyalty and Sales, to discuss why the new Airbus A321neo is a great addition to our fleet, the latest in onboard connectivity and entertainment, the importance of the “likelihood to recommend” score, and what’s to come with American’s brand project.

In the latest episode of Tell Me Why, we visit the rooftop of CLT with Dec Lee, Vice President of CLT Hub Operations. With a bird’s-eye view of the operation, he explains what makes Charlotte, North Carolina, unique, what it means to be a vital part of one of the fastest growing airports in the country and how the team is preparing to operate more than 700 daily departures by the end of the year.

In the latest episode of Tell Me Why, we visit the construction site of DFW’s Terminal E satellite building with Cedric Rockamore, Vice President of DFW Hub Operations, and Jose Velez Rubio, Vice President of DFW Operations for Envoy. Together, they explain why we’re expanding our operation to more than 900 daily departures at DFW this summer and what we’re doing to help the team run the best operation possible

Check out the latest episode of Tell Me Why with DFW-based Captain Deborah Hecker, First Officer Beth Powell and retired First Officer Brenda Robinson. In recognition of Women’s History Month, Deborah, Beth and Brenda discuss their unconventional path to the flight deck, the importance of having a support system — including each other — and how to inspire the next generation of women aviators.

In this episode of Tell Me Why, Devon May, Senior Vice President of Network Strategy, discusses how American Eagle plays a huge role in our operation, how adding service at DFW will help us thrive and why we’re focusing on strengthening our alliance relationships.

In this episode of Tell Me Why, David Seymour, Senior Vice President of Integrated Operations, discusses the importance of staying safe on the job, why it’s critical to align scheduled maintenance with off-peak flying so we have more aircraft available each morning, and the wave of hiring that’s underway in 2019 to support additional maintenance work.

In this episode of Tell Me Why, Kerry Philipovitch, Senior Vice President of Customer Experience, discusses the importance of our performance metrics like the number aircraft out of service in the morning (AOS), right start (RS-0) and turn time (T-0); how following a scripted process will ensure we perform consistently; and why a “back to basics” mentality will ultimately help us succeed, especially in peak seasons.

Check out the latest episode of Tell Me Why with Dallas Fort Worth (DFW)-based First Officer Beth Powell and retired First Officer Brenda Robinson, the first African-American female pilot in the U.S. Navy and also American’s first African-American female pilot to graduate pilot training. Beth and Brenda discuss their passion for soaring above the clouds; the support of their parents to dream big; being the “first” in breaking barriers; and supporting the next generation of diverse pilots.

We’re kicking off season two of Tell Me Why with President Robert Isom. Robert talks about our accomplishments over the past five years, how we’re working toward being as reliable as possible moving forward and what we’re doing to ensure that American thrives forever.