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American Airlines (U.S.)

image by Eugene Ipavec, 9 September 2007

Description
Flagship pennant

See also:

Commercial Flags (index)
United States of America

Description

I saw the flag at LaGuardia Airport on July 31, right next to the US flag and the NY City flag. The flag is on a white background, displaying to big letter A's (one red on the left and one blue on the right) with a blue eagle in the middle and below the words American Airlines in capitals (American written in Red and Airlines written in Blue).
Esteban Rivera, 9 September 2007

The American Airlines flag can be seen at 1:49 on https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nPHtof6tHKE. The flag of American Airlines posted above lacks the trademark sign that is evident in the video clip, but whether it is ™, ©, or ®, I am unsure.
Paul Bassinson, 15 April 2019

The sign next to large blue "A" is ®, but there is also a sign next to word "Ailrlines", like a superscript to the text, which cannot be discerned.
Tomislav Todorovic, 16 April 2019

The official version of the old logo has an ®: http://designshack.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/amairlines-2.jpg. However, AA rebranded in 2013, and this would appear to be the current flag: https://sep.yimg.com/ay/yhst-46916591293778/american-airlines-flag-31.gif.
Dave Fowler, 16 April 2019

Concept turned into reality: https://www.virtualbx.com/construction-preview/fort-worth-commissioners-approve-tax-deal-for-american-airlines-headquarters/. The rebranding was done by Future Brand and the work into the effort was detailed at https://www.adweek.com/digital/an-inside-look-at-the-american-airlines-rebranding-saga/. Advertising guidelines with the Pantone colors (pdf pg 15) can be seen at https://aa.merchandisescheme.com/uploads/portals/aa/AA_Guidelines_March2015.pdf. The font used for the logo is a custom AmericanSans Bold.
Zachary Harden, 16 April 2019

Flagship pennant

image by Miles Li, 28 October 2014

On airwaysnews.com/galleries/aa-dfw-training-memorabilia-6-flagship-pennant_30819.jpg there is a photo of the pennant beneath a sign which explains:

'In 1936, when American introduced the DC-3 aircraft into the fleet, we began branding the Airline using nautical terms. We called our aircraft "Flagships" and christened our honorary clubs for valued members as "Admirals Clubs."

Following the nautical theme, the DC-3 aircraft had a triangular, four-star "Admiral's Pennant" that would fly outside the co-pilot's window as the airplane was taxiing to the gate. Company limos were also designated with a miniature Flagship Pennant.

Of all American's Flagships, the DC-3 fleet was the only one to display the Flagship Pennant. Airline lore includes an association with the four stars of the pennant and the four stripes of the captain's uniform. Thus, the flags were often called, with respect, "Captain's Flags." '
Miles Li, 28 October 2014

Another explanation of the use of pennants (and naming of those pennants) is here: "AA used to fly the company flag from its aircraft well into the 1950s, hence the name 'Flagship' (bear in mind the naval term used for aircraft as "ship", hence the name flagship)."
Source: http://airwaysnews.com/html/museums/american-airlines-cr-smith-museum-ft-worth-texas/19301940s-flagship-flag-and-crandall-brick/930

The description and measurements of the pennant are: 13 1/2" x 35" blue field with a red border. Printed eagle/"AA" emblem and 4 white stars. Sleeve on border and one brass grommet.

Pictures of the pennant can be seen here:
- http://airwaysnews.com/galleries/930.jpg (source: http://airwaysnews.com)
- https://p2.liveauctioneers.com/1022/47797/22102484_1_l.jpg (source: https://www.liveauctioneers.com)
Esteban Rivera, 6 February 2016