In Conversation With American Airlines’ CEO
Safety is always at the forefront of everything we do at American, and it’s part of my job every day. When America first developed it, our Safety Management System set the standard for our industry, and it continues to guide how we rigorously and consistently integrate safety across our operations. We know safety is about systems and execution, but all of that starts with a strong safety culture. Our top safety leaders come to the role with deep experience working on the front line, with the professional certifications those roles require. They understand what good safety practices look like on the ground. We make clear to every team member that safety is everyone’s responsibility, that they must report any safety concerns – and they will never face any repercussions for doing so. Aviation is by far the safest mode of transportation in the world, and we are dedicated to keeping it that way.
First, it’s important to remember that America is just one part of a broader supply chain that delivers travel – the airframe and engine manufacturers, fuel suppliers, and government agencies that control the airspace are all critical parts – and making our industry more efficient and sustainable needs to be a joint effort. For example, improving how we use airspace will help us operate more efficiently, save time for our passengers, and reduce our emissions. That’s why we advocate on behalf of our industry for more investment in the Federal Aviation Administration.
Within our operations, America’s ability to deliver on our sustainability goals depends on us continuing to run a reliable operation and thriving as a profitable enterprise. We remain laser-focused on being the most reliable airline possible – one that delivers for our customers day in and day out. In 2023, we recorded our best full-year completion factor, with the lowest number of cancellations annually since 2013. Thanks to that, along with a host of other efforts we have underway to enhance the travel experience, we also posted company-record customer satisfaction scores for the year.
