American Airlines - What We Do Best ad from 1981

[donnafromnyc]

See the 1970s version--the original was the best. Big orchestration, great film (no video!) production values, compared to this.

[cesar333]

Everytime i see these airline commercials from the 70's and 80s it reminds me of the Flintstones.

[AutobotSulley]

We're American Airlines, Doing what we do best.... Nothing!

[burbank]

Today, it is now. "We're American Airlines, Doing What We Do Worst." Their service has gone down the drain in recent years.

[Drillin4Oil]

That flight attendant looks like Dee Dee Lennon of the Lennon Sisters!

[TTDMFfreaknew]

DC-10's in every American commercial lol.

[Torrespinaphoto]

CGI technology was not that advanced in 1981. To me it looks like a scale model filmed in a studio. You don't see any flashing lights or strobes, but remember, the purpose of that last scene is to make you want to fly with them, and the effect looks very convincing.

[anastasiacody]

Employees know what american airlines does best ...don't we fellas?

[70s80s]

Saturday Night Live did a spoof on this ad in 1982-- called it "Cattle Car in the Sky!" ;)

[KYLEAKAFLYBOIK]

@70s80s do you know where i can see it

[nomadcowatbk]

@70s80s

The modern aircraft, unsurpassed in its service to livestock -MST3K

[TheHtec]

THIS COMERCIAL SUCK

[Quickandwicked]

Question: is the AA plane @ the end CGI? I mean, I know Tron came out around this time, but the image looks awfully advanced. Any ideas?

[misled1982]

@Quickandwicked I was going to say the same!! I mean looks VERY advance for 1981!! and even if the technology was available, I wouldn't expect it to see it in a commercial!

[Star841]

Were Skycaps employed by the airline in the 80's?

[RickMakesGoodVideos]

@Star841 It was a thing an airline always did but now you get out of the car yourself and walk to you Gate

[tymmas]

the reservation agents are looking up fares in a book! And meals on a plane??? :)

[KYLEAKAFLYBOIK]

why does the black man have to be the one who opens the doors when the cars pull up and the white people are working on the plane and at the check in counter

[JasonSchwerin]

@KYLEAKAFLYBOIK i know, its the same with all their commercials lol

[miamivicepastels83]

....and they're giving their beeeesssst....

[hytredff]

nd then u just see the dc 10 blow up lol

[yeltzfan0102]

....bit harsh considering that, I believe (I may be mistaken), the DC-10 has a better mile for mile safety record than the B747

[hytredff]

hmmmmmmmm yah i was just on a b 747 lol nd i agree we were delayed coz they couldnt load the fuel on it was a ba 747 400

[tiadaid]

but don't forget the 747 flew more miles than the DC-10, since over 1000 747 were made against only 300 or so DC-10, and many are still in service as passenger planes, while there are far fewer DC-10 in commercial service.

[grapesofwraith1066]

Great commercial. I really really wish they could make great songs and jingles like this today. It works too! This theme got stuck in my head for days....

[jjr1123]

hehe i like this commerical lol i feel like i just travel back in time and its 2009 hard to believe lol. i like this old commericals better .

[daniellimag]

It back!

[Star841]

I KNOW! I was missing the jingle. It peps me up before I actually fly on American, lol.