AA geeks get peek into ops

American Airlines celebrated National Aviation Day, a holiday established in 1939 by Franklin D. Roosevelt to celebrate the development of aviation and Orville Wright’s birthday, with a behind the scenes view of its JFK airport operations,

Two dozen contest winners from airinegeeks.com including a few guests from the CUNY York College School of Aviation were awarded a rare escort throughout the AA facilities of aircraft Maintenance/Hangar, hub control center, tour of a Boeing 777 aircraft with Q&A with chief pilot, access to Flagship® Lounge, and our ramp side access.

Chairman and CEO Doug Parker said, “We’re thrilled to showcase their important work for the third year in a row with a group of young enthusiasts whose passion for aviation may eventually lead them to careers with American.”

Groups from around the nation visited AA airport ops at 13 locations across the United States and in the United Kingdom. The groups also were able to learn from American’s aviation professionals while comfortably sitting in one of AA’s planed and enjoying a simulated flight.

“Thanks to our friends at American Airlines, many of our members will get a special, behind-the-scenes look at the fascinating world of commercial aviation,” said 19-year-old AirlineGeeks.com Founder and CEO Ryan Ewing. “We’re looking forward to our third year in a row of learning more about the industry from American’s team members and building relationships with them.”