Good ol' days of flying. I remember travelling on Scandinavian Airlines as a child in 1981. The flight attendant took me up to the flight deck. It's a shame (but understandable) that we can't do that nowadays.
I remember seeing these great AA commercials during my early teens when they really meant something,not just a punchline in a commercial. Funny enough it was the pride shown in these that made me want to get into the airline business.I worked as a steward (I never got uptight if I wasn't called an f/a)& showed the same pride in my work for 8 years.Got sick & tired of seeing so many other employees who only saw it as free flights & a paycheck.I left & now show the same pride in 5 companies I own.
I'm one of the lucky few that can remember what it was like flying when staff were proud of what they did;cared about their profession;f/a's were regarded in high esteem;they didn't see passengers as an obstacle to the end of their day;passengers were polite & dressed up for the occasion. These AA ads personify that era of decorum & refined flying that has given way to employees that only care about their bottom line and passengers that expect everything for a flight they paid $50 for. Very sad!
My dad tells me in 1970's to early 1990's, most airline give best services to their passanger, like very delicious food, on time schedule, polite and friendly flight attendant, etc.
not like today, airliner throw shit at us and treat us like a sardines.
THIS HAS TO BE ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITE COMMERICALS AND IT JUST GOES TO SHOW YEA HOW MUCH AIRLINE TRAVEL HAS CHANGED .I wish they were bring serivce back like it was back in the great old days of flying
this was back in the days when flying was something special, and people actually got dressed up to fly somewhere. Now people act like their just getting on a bus. It wasn't the end of the world if a flight wasn't exactly on time. Braniff's Flying Colors were a prime example of going the extra mile for the customer, but they also could not compete with the other carriers. BTW the 747 still is king with the new 747-8. I worked on B-727-200, which was the best aircraft ever built.
DAMN that was great music....back when you used real instruments, real orchestration and real voices for 60 seconds. And you could actually believe that was the experience. Back then AA was HQ'd in NYC--I worked with three ex-AA people, two in advertising, one in operations and they were all consummate professionals (one of whom became president of the Pan Am Shuttle in its brief existence).
Its hard to imagine there was once class within folks in the USA . . .I have watched people turn into self absorbed animals over the last 40 years . . . sad sight . . no turning back now it seems.
Brings back great memories, I loved American and the DC-10 then I flew on Delta L-1011 and that became my favourite and a terrific Airline as well and still is! Now has the 747-400 and 747-8. I was fortunate to fly AA 747-100 in 1982 LAX/HNL FC and what an experience!!!! Then they retired that craft and still do not have. Loved this commercial and song, does bring tears for the "good old days of air travel. My Aunt was a "stewerdess" for AA on the DC-3 and what stories she tells me.
I positively love this video! The group's harmony is simply fabulous to listen to! I remember this commercial as a kid and still love it today! Very touching musically! They couldn't have picked a more talented group to perform this song! Once again, great job!
Flew on AA in 1966 to the West Coast and in 1974 to the West Coast, back when flying was still nice. @SSSCLimitedTrademark - service and hospitality like the old days is expensive. The cheapo fares today don't cover the costs so they have to charge fees. I'm more than willing to pay for the amenities but the masses don't so we're stuck with crappy service, rude seatmates and $5 baloney and cheese sandwiches. Sucks, don't it?
Awesome commercial and awesome song! Brings back great memories from when I was a kid! This has to be around 1976 since the stewardess has a Dorothy Hamill-like haircut! And, her smile is gold!
I'm 14 and I'm a future flight attendant and this is exactly whats missing from the air these days! I knew that I was a steward since I was seven years old and I spent every flight since trying to get a crew to notice me! I'm going to fly and when I do I'll bring this back! Even if I have to board every flight with a bag of kiddie wings that I've bought myself off eBay, I'll do it and I'll raise every future flight attendant in the sky!
@ThomsonAirwaysStaff You will be the best flight attendant ever! You know what's missing, but fortunately you know how to fix the problem. Hope you achieve your dream of ''doing what you do best''!!!
@ThomsonAirwaysStaff great attitude! I knew as a child I wanted to fly and the dream came true for me a few years ago. I enjoy it. Almost 40, so I do remember some of the good days of flying... miss those. keep up the great work
how ironic if that was an UA DC-8 in the background climbing out...that scene also with the music timed to coincide with the plane climbing away from behind the DC-10's tail is yet another example of the very talented, thoughtful and skillful editing/production this and many other era commercials featured
I remember flying from JFK to Munich back in 1964 on a Pan Am 707. I was just a child of 8 years of age. I remember that my mom and I were given menus during the flight. She and I ate roast duck. The stewardesses were there for everything. Today, you couldn't get me on a plane unless my doctor gave me some pills to knock me out for the flight. I don't think I'd make it past the TSA agents before I'd take a swing at somebody!
@SuperBrotherBob I remember flying Pan Am from Munich-JFK-SFO in 1967 on a 707 with my parents when I was four. The stewardess gave me a Pan Am wings pin. l still remember the final approach along the San Francisco bay to the airport. I had a window seat behind the wings and I remember the 4 engines and the flaps going down. It thought it was really neat!
This song's been running through my head ever since i saw this post almost a year ago. I hope this commercial won an award. Was it from the late-70s or early-80s? For some reason, I have the feeling the mother of that little girl was a recent divorcee flying somewhere to hook-up with her new bf. What the hell's wrong with me?
As a F/A for AA, I'd love to show this to the president and the top brass and show them what a GREAT airline we use to be before they ran it into the toilet. Bring back Mr. Crandall!
@MaarkW You are right. I wish you would send the link to Gerard Arpey, along with this comment. I fly 100,000 miles every year and used to go out of my way to fly AA (even paying more and taking connections) because your people, your planes, your service, and your food all were so superior to those of your competitors. Since Bob Crandall left, your "leaders" have turned you into just another lowest common denominator commodity airline delivering an awful experience. Shame on them all.
@folzjs The Main priority of Gerard Arpey, Jeff Smisek, Glen Tilton , and so many others is simply GREED! For themselves and a select group of upper Management. they have no intentions of negotiating fair Labor Contracts with their employees or marketing their airlines the way they should be!
After Flight 191 in 1979, American changed the "DC10 LuxuryLiner" titling to "American Airlines LuxuryLiner". Between that incident and others involving DC-10s, that airplane type had a bad rep.
I remember the other airlines themes, but American Airlines is the best. Remember Western Airlines "The oooonly way to fly!" Or "PSA gives you a lift!" Hughs Airwest "Top banana of the west" Delta "Is ready when you are" Pan Am "We fly the world when the world wants to fly"?
I never seen tis commeercial but it's really a great one! Growing up AA was my favorite airline now with all of the penny pinching and post 9/11 flying is a burden.
Now their slogan should be "We're American Airlines, Doing What We Do Worst", which is flying, punctuality, comfort, providing customer service and safety, and many other bad things. My how the airline industry quality standards have gone down the toilet.
@burbank I know what you mean, it has! I have done a bit of traveling in the last two years and it is no better then riding a bus! Actually, on a bus you have leg room. I flew American two months ago in coach and it has the worst leg room of all the airlines! U.S. Airways is not too bad. At least they actually served food and had more leg room.
Actually, the A300s were retired last year. American used LuxuryLiners for all their widebody jets until the 777, but that is the true LuxuryLiner after the 747.
One of the most dramatic and exiting airline commercials ever. And I love that added touch of the flight attendant breaking into an open joyous laugh as she and the little girl have clearly made a sweet personal connection...at .49 - 51 just as the music is really building.
If you notice at 0:05, it says "DC-10 LuxuryLiner" on the belly of the plane. After the crash of Flight 191 in 1979, "DC-10 LuxuryLiner" was changed to "American Airlines LuxuryLiner" on all of American Airlines' DC-10's to avoid the negative stigma associated with the DC-10 at the time. A sad little tidbit I thought I might share.
I remember this commercial when I was a kid and then begged my parents to take me on a plane ride. I had to wait another 6 years before I finally got to fly around 1981.
Air travel today is pretty safe but there's no pleasure in it anymore. It's just point A to point B and pay your fees and keep your mouth shut. In the 70's people dressed up to fly.
LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS COMMERCIAL! I still sing it once in awhile! LOL This was then, of course, followed up with the still-catchy but less-wonderful...We're American Airlines...something special in the air. Thank you so much for posting this!!!
Love this commercial saw it when i was a kid. American was the first airline I flew this commercial was the reason they dont make commercials like this anymore
Jimd1701 is pretty much on target. People want cheap fares but the cheap fares don't come close to covering operating costs, so that's why they charge you for everything else, including checking your bags. Ever wonder why first and business class DON'T pay fees? Simple, their fares cover all associated costs along with a (fairly) slim profit. I saw an article recently that some are thinking of reregulating the air lines. Here's hoping.
This flight attendant really typifies how great American Airlines was in its day. American, United, Pan Am were all at the top of their game. What the hell happened?
@citizenintime Deregulation is more like it and corporations wanted it, and that is what you get which is the rich is getting richer and the poor is getting poorer. So it is the Union's fault, NOT. So Corporate Greed is what brought down great Airlines and brought down the standard of services.
@pcmiler2000 No--deregulation was an unnecessary burden on the industry. Prices and capacity were rationalized as a result of deregulation. Eastern, Pan Am, etc. were killed by unions who refused even the most minimal productivity concessions.
@Drillin4Oil What happenned was the elimination of the old CAB and regulation, back in the late '70's.
Nowadays the cut-throat competition for passengers is fierce. Companies are forced to shave expenses and offer rock-bottom fares, if they hope to remain in business. And it may even get worse. There is lobbying to allow totally 'open-skies' where third-world airlines would be free to go into competition with domestic carriers for flights between US points. Woe to us if that happens.
This commercial made me cry in 1976 and it still does. It really marks the beginning of the end. Flying was a joy, American was the gold standard, and when you landed Hertz had a spotless, low-mileage Monte Carlo waiting. GM ruined the Monte in 1978; American crashed a DC-10 in 1979; deregulation hit in 1980; and in 1981 Reagan fired the controllers, from which the air traffic system never recovered. As bd1976 aptly says, "what the hell happened in this country?!"
i suppose you're right. i don't know about the monte carlo, as i don't have a liscence yet, but yeah, it was the beginnig of the end. in 1976 gas was 50 cents a gallon if that, the 747 was king, airbus did'nt exist yet, the Lockheed Tristar was still around, you could buy a plane ticket for less thatn $100, cars cost less than $10 grand, airlines were still freindly, spacious, and didn't charge you $3 million to check your shirt, and most importantly, PSA was still around spreading joy
I flew on American Airlines at about the same time as this ad campaign was running. It was a nice flight both ways. What really screwed things up was deregulation. Prior to 1978, if you wanted to start an airline, you had to be cleared by the CAB and had to play by the rules. Yes, it was more expensive to fly, but that was offset by the great service. Now flying is like taking a bus, with all the discomfort that entails.
@comgeek24 I agree. They mailed all employees a vinyl record with the jingle on one side and a speech about the new campaign from Robert Crandall on the other.
When people complain about "how bad everything is now" regarding airline service, they need to look in the mirror to see the culprit. We have ourselves to blame. As passengers and consumers, we are always demanding more for less or something for nothing, so guess what gets sacraficed? A better quality of service.
@Jimd1701 The problem is not in the mirror..........it was in 9-11..........that changed airline travel forever. "They" win in the side-effects created...........and this was a big one.
I love this video and find myself humming along. The lyrics and glimpses of days gone by continue to remind me of what airline service was and this beautiful FA and wonderful smiles attest to the glory.
This has got to be my most favorite airline commercial of all time. The music is simply excellent, and the epic footage as well as the presentation itself really brings out the pride and the beauty of American Airlines from the 1970's. Commercials like these really show us just how mainstream commercial aviation has become, where we don't see "LuxuryLiner" or "Astroliner" on the side of the aircraft, and we don't receive the kind of hospitality and service that airlines once used to offer.
True, but what is important is that you understand my point. Airlines are not what they once used to be, and it's quite unfortunate to see such a drastic transformation over the years. The lowering of quality, service, and luxury though has made it possible for persons of all backgrounds to fly readily and frequently, which is a positive aspect. But I would still rather see the pride and beauty restored back into our nation's airlines, to make commercial aviation majestic once again.
after all these years this is still one of the most dramatic and exciting airline commercials. The combination of how the music builds along with the editing, its just great. thanks for sharing
@MVR326 yes, very skillfully done. i too have noticed the great talents evident in these era airline commercials; always perfectly intermeshed with the feel of the music too, things these days seems flat and one dimensional in comparison to me
American Airlines still to this day has one of the most memorable music that goes with any airline's commercial campaign. They should bring back a new updated version of commercials to get people back flying again.
Lockheed L1011's were great jet liners. I know AA did not have them on their fleets. They all have been pulled out of service from other airlines like Delta.
Actually, American did hold on to some form of 747 until 1993. According to Simon Forty's book on American Airlines from some time in the early / mid 90s.
I flew ex American 747's at Pan Am. They were traded with ex National Airlines DC10's around 1986. American flew the 747 sp after that from DFW to Narita for a few years starting in the late 80's as nothing else had that kind of range.
One of AA's former 747's is now serving NASA as a space shuttle transporter...used when the shuttle has to land at Edwards AFB to get it back home to Cape Kennedy.
I remember this commercial (and this time period) fondly as well. My whole fambly flew AA ORD-BOS one way when my dad got a big ol' promotion in 1977. (As it's happened, I haven't been on AA ever since; but I still like them!) The problem with this ad is, it describes AA as doing what they do best "from the sunrise in the east to the sunset in the west." Does that mean they ain't bringin' their A game on nighttime flights?
Stuey, AA did have 747's at one time. They phased them out I think in the late 1970's. If you ever saw the movie "Airport 75" The 747 used in that film was an American Airline 747! They simply covered over AA and replaced it with "Columbia".
My fathers friend was a captain for American Airlines for over 20 years. He had to retire when he reached the mandatory retirement age, which I think is 60? He died of cancer just two years after retiring in the early 1990's. The first time I flew on American Airlines was in 1974 from SFO to Dallas on a DC-10.
I still remember the other long gone airlines themes like Hughes Air West..."Top banana of the West", Or Pan Am, "We fly the world when the world wants fly". Or "PSA gives you a lift!" Western Airlines, "The oooownly way to fly!" But American Airlines had the most catchy song.
Does American Airlines even fly DC-10's anymore? I think I only see are 757's and 767's as far as their larger aircraft. I know the 747's disappeared ages ago from AA.
Also gone are the AA BAes and 737-200s/300s from AirCal merger, the MD-90s, and the Eagle operated Shorts 330s, 360s, SAAB 340s. Damn, AA went through so many aircraft types over the decades.
Travel, I remember those British made jets, is the BAE the small commuter jet with the wing over the fuselage and 4 engines? That was the aircraft used by PSA in the 1980's. Air Cal, which was Air California before the 1980's flew 737's and Lockheed Electra props.
I know some AA employees that have 15 or more years working with the company and they said to my father in a conversation that working in AA today is a nightmare and todays AA ownership don"t follow the great things and the footsteps that C.R. Smith and Bob Crandall did for the company.
I remember that catchy commercial theme. American Airlines was always the best. It is too bad the airlines are hurting and you cannot even get a meal on long flights anymore. Flying is terrible these days.
This was back in the day when American Airlines passengers got 'The Best of Everything'. Old C.R. Smith must surely be turning over in his grave at the sorry state of service that the economy has forced his once great airline to now render in order to survive.
I know some AA employees that have 15 or more years working with the company and they said to my father in a conversation that working in AA today is a nightmare and todays AA ownership don"t follow the great things and the footsteps that C.R. Smith and Bob Crandall did for the company.
Thank you so much for posting this. I know the flight attendant in the commercial and she is every bit as beautiful today as she was then. They showed this video to us on our very first day of training at American Airlines, and it still gives me a good feeling watching it after all these years.
Question: Does she is still active with AA because this commercial is great. Ithink that AA should do this type of commercials. Im not saying that they are doing bad one but they should do better?
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UGLYRAED 1 week ago
Good ol' days of flying. I remember travelling on Scandinavian Airlines as a child in 1981. The flight attendant took me up to the flight deck. It's a shame (but understandable) that we can't do that nowadays.
nenblom 3 weeks ago
I remember the jingle, huh, been a while.
XsweetxsacraficeX 1 month ago
I remember seeing these great AA commercials during my early teens when they really meant something,not just a punchline in a commercial. Funny enough it was the pride shown in these that made me want to get into the airline business.I worked as a steward (I never got uptight if I wasn't called an f/a)& showed the same pride in my work for 8 years.Got sick & tired of seeing so many other employees who only saw it as free flights & a paycheck.I left & now show the same pride in 5 companies I own.
noelnoel1 1 month ago
I'm one of the lucky few that can remember what it was like flying when staff were proud of what they did;cared about their profession;f/a's were regarded in high esteem;they didn't see passengers as an obstacle to the end of their day;passengers were polite & dressed up for the occasion. These AA ads personify that era of decorum & refined flying that has given way to employees that only care about their bottom line and passengers that expect everything for a flight they paid $50 for. Very sad!
noelnoel1 1 month ago in playlist Favorite videos
My dad tells me in 1970's to early 1990's, most airline give best services to their passanger, like very delicious food, on time schedule, polite and friendly flight attendant, etc.
not like today, airliner throw shit at us and treat us like a sardines.
declaration963 1 month ago
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adorei esse video um abraçaooo de eduardo de sao paulo brasil
minho1967 1 month ago
Sir, turn your cellphone off, NOW!
SFConifer 1 month ago
It is going to be sad when AA is bought out by Doug Parker and merged with US Airways.
blasaine 1 month ago
THIS HAS TO BE ONE OF MY ALL TIME FAVORITE COMMERICALS AND IT JUST GOES TO SHOW YEA HOW MUCH AIRLINE TRAVEL HAS CHANGED .I wish they were bring serivce back like it was back in the great old days of flying
SHS854EVER 1 month ago
this was back in the days when flying was something special, and people actually got dressed up to fly somewhere. Now people act like their just getting on a bus. It wasn't the end of the world if a flight wasn't exactly on time. Braniff's Flying Colors were a prime example of going the extra mile for the customer, but they also could not compete with the other carriers. BTW the 747 still is king with the new 747-8. I worked on B-727-200, which was the best aircraft ever built.
buster757 2 months ago
The FA leaves the cat outside????
donnafromnyc 4 months ago
DAMN that was great music....back when you used real instruments, real orchestration and real voices for 60 seconds. And you could actually believe that was the experience. Back then AA was HQ'd in NYC--I worked with three ex-AA people, two in advertising, one in operations and they were all consummate professionals (one of whom became president of the Pan Am Shuttle in its brief existence).
donnafromnyc 4 months ago
...and she's still on reserve.
soaringsolo 4 months ago 7
I just got charged $150 for trying to change to another video
TheBreph 5 months ago
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Its hard to imagine there was once class within folks in the USA . . .I have watched people turn into self absorbed animals over the last 40 years . . . sad sight . . no turning back now it seems.
mercedes560sel 5 months ago
Remember when you were treated by the airlines like you acteally mattered?
motorbiker63 5 months ago
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This was a REAL COMPANY that instilled pride in all of us that had the privilege to work for her... Thanks Kathy for finding this!
Man what memories that commercial brings back... and how I long for the days again...
ostis1 5 months ago
This was a REAL COMPANY that instilled pride in all of us that had the privilege to work for her... Thanks Kathy for finding this!
Man what memories that commercial brings back... and how I long for the days again...
ostis1 5 months ago
this is one of my all time favorite commerical songs Were American airlines doing what we doooooooooo best
SHS854EVER 6 months ago
Brings back great memories, I loved American and the DC-10 then I flew on Delta L-1011 and that became my favourite and a terrific Airline as well and still is! Now has the 747-400 and 747-8. I was fortunate to fly AA 747-100 in 1982 LAX/HNL FC and what an experience!!!! Then they retired that craft and still do not have. Loved this commercial and song, does bring tears for the "good old days of air travel. My Aunt was a "stewerdess" for AA on the DC-3 and what stories she tells me.
howardcod4 6 months ago
Very pretty flight attendant. I wonder if she still works for American.
Longbeachliner 7 months ago
"It's my flight and I know it's right" ?!?!?!??!
I was an airline steward for 22 years and I don't think those words ever crossed my mind. LOL
Drillin4Oil 7 months ago
I positively love this video! The group's harmony is simply fabulous to listen to! I remember this commercial as a kid and still love it today! Very touching musically! They couldn't have picked a more talented group to perform this song! Once again, great job!
kenpalmer1965 8 months ago
Flew on AA in 1966 to the West Coast and in 1974 to the West Coast, back when flying was still nice. @SSSCLimitedTrademark - service and hospitality like the old days is expensive. The cheapo fares today don't cover the costs so they have to charge fees. I'm more than willing to pay for the amenities but the masses don't so we're stuck with crappy service, rude seatmates and $5 baloney and cheese sandwiches. Sucks, don't it?
16924fps 8 months ago
Awesome commercial and awesome song! Brings back great memories from when I was a kid! This has to be around 1976 since the stewardess has a Dorothy Hamill-like haircut! And, her smile is gold!
larbear36 9 months ago
Will you take a look at that GORGEOUS DC-10?
BettinaBalser 10 months ago
I'm 14 and I'm a future flight attendant and this is exactly whats missing from the air these days! I knew that I was a steward since I was seven years old and I spent every flight since trying to get a crew to notice me! I'm going to fly and when I do I'll bring this back! Even if I have to board every flight with a bag of kiddie wings that I've bought myself off eBay, I'll do it and I'll raise every future flight attendant in the sky!
ThomsonAirwaysStaff 10 months ago 3
@ThomsonAirwaysStaff You will be the best flight attendant ever! You know what's missing, but fortunately you know how to fix the problem. Hope you achieve your dream of ''doing what you do best''!!!
Torrespinaphoto 10 months ago
@Torrespinaphoto Thanx so much! :)
ThomsonAirwaysStaff 10 months ago
@ThomsonAirwaysStaff great attitude! I knew as a child I wanted to fly and the dream came true for me a few years ago. I enjoy it. Almost 40, so I do remember some of the good days of flying... miss those. keep up the great work
tashalynn29 10 months ago
Love the staff at AA.
mistressmeeker 11 months ago
Such a beautiful flight attendant. A true stewardess in every sense of the word. Great commercial from the good 'ole days. Thanks for posting this!
Drillin4Oil 11 months ago 6
Yes, I remember this one as a little kid in the late 70's. Airlines back then truly were proud of who they were. How times change.
bixbyglaser 11 months ago
No doubt!
aztlaxpuroazul 11 months ago
@aztlaxpuroazul Hey there..jfq4 here.. thanks for the note.. I hope you were able to get my response as well.
JFQ4 11 months ago
This is my all time favorite jingle for American Airlines! The music is insanely beautiful!
JFQ4 11 months ago 2
Too bad American isn't "DOING WHAT WE DO BEST" anymore.
This was classic and I'm prolly as old as that young girl in the commercial.
And so are the planes they ARE STILL flying today. :(
Cheap and Dirty -- ya get what you pay for on American. So sad these years are gone! :(
sweetladygeneieve 11 months ago
i love the Captain's salute
aztlaxpuroazul 11 months ago
how ironic if that was an UA DC-8 in the background climbing out...that scene also with the music timed to coincide with the plane climbing away from behind the DC-10's tail is yet another example of the very talented, thoughtful and skillful editing/production this and many other era commercials featured
aztlaxpuroazul 11 months ago
@Folzjs I agree with you except AA did not crash a DC-10. It was an accident.
BrooklynBound4 1 year ago
I remember flying from JFK to Munich back in 1964 on a Pan Am 707. I was just a child of 8 years of age. I remember that my mom and I were given menus during the flight. She and I ate roast duck. The stewardesses were there for everything. Today, you couldn't get me on a plane unless my doctor gave me some pills to knock me out for the flight. I don't think I'd make it past the TSA agents before I'd take a swing at somebody!
SuperBrotherBob 1 year ago
@SuperBrotherBob I remember flying Pan Am from Munich-JFK-SFO in 1967 on a 707 with my parents when I was four. The stewardess gave me a Pan Am wings pin. l still remember the final approach along the San Francisco bay to the airport. I had a window seat behind the wings and I remember the 4 engines and the flaps going down. It thought it was really neat!
newalm 10 months ago
@newalm I hope you still have the wings!!! hang on to those!!
tashalynn29 10 months ago
Too bad American Airlines flight attendants don't smile like that anymore.
redskins5926 1 year ago
This song's been running through my head ever since i saw this post almost a year ago. I hope this commercial won an award. Was it from the late-70s or early-80s? For some reason, I have the feeling the mother of that little girl was a recent divorcee flying somewhere to hook-up with her new bf. What the hell's wrong with me?
astrojet707 1 year ago
As a F/A for AA, I'd love to show this to the president and the top brass and show them what a GREAT airline we use to be before they ran it into the toilet. Bring back Mr. Crandall!
MaarkW 1 year ago 2
@MaarkW You are right. I wish you would send the link to Gerard Arpey, along with this comment. I fly 100,000 miles every year and used to go out of my way to fly AA (even paying more and taking connections) because your people, your planes, your service, and your food all were so superior to those of your competitors. Since Bob Crandall left, your "leaders" have turned you into just another lowest common denominator commodity airline delivering an awful experience. Shame on them all.
folzjs 1 year ago 2
@folzjs The Main priority of Gerard Arpey, Jeff Smisek, Glen Tilton , and so many others is simply GREED! For themselves and a select group of upper Management. they have no intentions of negotiating fair Labor Contracts with their employees or marketing their airlines the way they should be!
Longbeachliner 11 months ago
Can't believe they have the SAME livery for almost 30 years...they should have changed after 9/11
misled1982 1 year ago
holy shit an american airliners 747! 0:19
cd949604 1 year ago
not bad
nathanfishing3000 1 year ago
After Flight 191 in 1979, American changed the "DC10 LuxuryLiner" titling to "American Airlines LuxuryLiner". Between that incident and others involving DC-10s, that airplane type had a bad rep.
madnavigator 1 year ago
I remember the other airlines themes, but American Airlines is the best. Remember Western Airlines "The oooonly way to fly!" Or "PSA gives you a lift!" Hughs Airwest "Top banana of the west" Delta "Is ready when you are" Pan Am "We fly the world when the world wants to fly"?
newalm 1 year ago
@newalm PAA "Every country has an airline. The world has Pan Am."
CanadianMapleLeaf01 1 year ago
I never seen tis commeercial but it's really a great one! Growing up AA was my favorite airline now with all of the penny pinching and post 9/11 flying is a burden.
BrooklynBound4 1 year ago
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Wow.... who is that flight attendant... She is beautiful! What smile.... ! I hope she is well today and enjoying life!
ChicagoCop1 1 year ago
Wow.... who is that flight attendant... She is beautiful! What smile.... ! I hope she is well today and enjoying life!
ChicagoCop1 1 year ago
To this day, that jingle is the ONLY way I can remember where the sun rises and sets!
justanotherjunkaddy 1 year ago
Now their slogan should be "We're American Airlines, Doing What We Do Worst", which is flying, punctuality, comfort, providing customer service and safety, and many other bad things. My how the airline industry quality standards have gone down the toilet.
burbank 1 year ago
@burbank I know what you mean, it has! I have done a bit of traveling in the last two years and it is no better then riding a bus! Actually, on a bus you have leg room. I flew American two months ago in coach and it has the worst leg room of all the airlines! U.S. Airways is not too bad. At least they actually served food and had more leg room.
newalm 1 year ago
I have fond memories of a decent meal in the sky during these times- 35 years ago.
As a kid, I thought, "The future will be amazing."
Not always so. I fly first class, and it blows compared to the days of the 70s in coach.
Thanks Ron!
tommyrock69 1 year ago
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later the plane crashed into disney land disney land got aids
DACLAWER 1 year ago
holy cow, who doesn't like the luxuryliner? too bad they're about to be retired. RIP A300!
johnwarman54 1 year ago
@johnwarman54
Actually, the A300s were retired last year. American used LuxuryLiners for all their widebody jets until the 777, but that is the true LuxuryLiner after the 747.
N750AN 1 year ago
Sigh...'twas a better time....
M1903A1 1 year ago 3
One of the most dramatic and exiting airline commercials ever. And I love that added touch of the flight attendant breaking into an open joyous laugh as she and the little girl have clearly made a sweet personal connection...at .49 - 51 just as the music is really building.
thanks for sharing
thanks
MVR326 1 year ago
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MVR326 1 year ago
If you notice at 0:05, it says "DC-10 LuxuryLiner" on the belly of the plane. After the crash of Flight 191 in 1979, "DC-10 LuxuryLiner" was changed to "American Airlines LuxuryLiner" on all of American Airlines' DC-10's to avoid the negative stigma associated with the DC-10 at the time. A sad little tidbit I thought I might share.
comgeek24 1 year ago
Proud AA-er 1999-2005...six great years of work.
Torchjob 1 year ago
I remember this commercial when I was a kid and then begged my parents to take me on a plane ride. I had to wait another 6 years before I finally got to fly around 1981.
Air travel today is pretty safe but there's no pleasure in it anymore. It's just point A to point B and pay your fees and keep your mouth shut. In the 70's people dressed up to fly.
tommybass40 1 year ago
LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS COMMERCIAL! I still sing it once in awhile! LOL This was then, of course, followed up with the still-catchy but less-wonderful...We're American Airlines...something special in the air. Thank you so much for posting this!!!
BelfastBailey 1 year ago
Love this commercial saw it when i was a kid. American was the first airline I flew this commercial was the reason they dont make commercials like this anymore
ghreps 1 year ago
I like the cat!
ephemeralprotagonist 1 year ago
Jimd1701 is pretty much on target. People want cheap fares but the cheap fares don't come close to covering operating costs, so that's why they charge you for everything else, including checking your bags. Ever wonder why first and business class DON'T pay fees? Simple, their fares cover all associated costs along with a (fairly) slim profit. I saw an article recently that some are thinking of reregulating the air lines. Here's hoping.
16924fps 1 year ago 2
This flight attendant really typifies how great American Airlines was in its day. American, United, Pan Am were all at the top of their game. What the hell happened?
Drillin4Oil 1 year ago 2
@Drillin4Oil Corporate Greed.
pcmiler2000 1 year ago
@pcmiler2000 No--union greed.
citizenintime 1 year ago
@citizenintime Deregulation is more like it and corporations wanted it, and that is what you get which is the rich is getting richer and the poor is getting poorer. So it is the Union's fault, NOT. So Corporate Greed is what brought down great Airlines and brought down the standard of services.
pcmiler2000 1 year ago
@pcmiler2000 No--deregulation was an unnecessary burden on the industry. Prices and capacity were rationalized as a result of deregulation. Eastern, Pan Am, etc. were killed by unions who refused even the most minimal productivity concessions.
Unions, not corporations.
citizenintime 1 year ago
@citizenintime Whoa! Make that REGULATION was an unnecessary burden...
citizenintime 1 year ago
@Drillin4Oil What happenned was the elimination of the old CAB and regulation, back in the late '70's.
Nowadays the cut-throat competition for passengers is fierce. Companies are forced to shave expenses and offer rock-bottom fares, if they hope to remain in business. And it may even get worse. There is lobbying to allow totally 'open-skies' where third-world airlines would be free to go into competition with domestic carriers for flights between US points. Woe to us if that happens.
dubulbee 1 year ago
This commercial made me cry in 1976 and it still does. It really marks the beginning of the end. Flying was a joy, American was the gold standard, and when you landed Hertz had a spotless, low-mileage Monte Carlo waiting. GM ruined the Monte in 1978; American crashed a DC-10 in 1979; deregulation hit in 1980; and in 1981 Reagan fired the controllers, from which the air traffic system never recovered. As bd1976 aptly says, "what the hell happened in this country?!"
folzjs 1 year ago 24
@folzjs Thank God for Ronald Reagan!
citizenintime 1 year ago
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@folzjs I agree with you except AA did not crash a DC-10. It was an accident.
BrooklynBound4 1 year ago
@folzjs
i suppose you're right. i don't know about the monte carlo, as i don't have a liscence yet, but yeah, it was the beginnig of the end. in 1976 gas was 50 cents a gallon if that, the 747 was king, airbus did'nt exist yet, the Lockheed Tristar was still around, you could buy a plane ticket for less thatn $100, cars cost less than $10 grand, airlines were still freindly, spacious, and didn't charge you $3 million to check your shirt, and most importantly, PSA was still around spreading joy
turbo1431 4 months ago
I flew on American Airlines at about the same time as this ad campaign was running. It was a nice flight both ways. What really screwed things up was deregulation. Prior to 1978, if you wanted to start an airline, you had to be cleared by the CAB and had to play by the rules. Yes, it was more expensive to fly, but that was offset by the great service. Now flying is like taking a bus, with all the discomfort that entails.
16924fps 1 year ago
@16924fps You are correct.
pcmiler2000 1 year ago
My mom says this is from about 1975...?
comgeek24 1 year ago
@comgeek24 I agree. They mailed all employees a vinyl record with the jingle on one side and a speech about the new campaign from Robert Crandall on the other.
airlineamtrakfan 1 year ago
@airlineamtrakfan Oh, really? Ok, thanks!
comgeek24 1 year ago
When people complain about "how bad everything is now" regarding airline service, they need to look in the mirror to see the culprit. We have ourselves to blame. As passengers and consumers, we are always demanding more for less or something for nothing, so guess what gets sacraficed? A better quality of service.
Jimd1701 1 year ago
@Jimd1701 The problem is not in the mirror..........it was in 9-11..........that changed airline travel forever. "They" win in the side-effects created...........and this was a big one.
Simon5005 1 year ago
what a great commercial! being a flight attendant for American Airlines, it sures makes me proud.
dennis9295 1 year ago
Everytime I watch this commercial I wonder what the hell went wrong with this country.
bd1976 1 year ago
Me too. A hand full of #@!!* idiots jacked it all up. Every thing has to be said and domne right as to not piss off any group of people...
cowleyway 1 year ago
I think I just flew with her... she still has the has the same cat
bluebusdriver 1 year ago
Catchy jingle, eh?
dondonp12004 1 year ago
Beautiful flight attendant.
Drillin4Oil 1 year ago 2
Wish we could go back to this time!
stevekach 1 year ago
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me too, just wish the flying public was willing to purchase fares that commanded that kind of service...
jharri034 1 year ago
wish flying waz still this luxiourious.
mondoswag10 1 year ago
you got a point.
bondman70 1 year ago
me too, just wish the flying public was willing to purchase fares that commanded this kind of service...
jharri034 1 year ago
I love this video and find myself humming along. The lyrics and glimpses of days gone by continue to remind me of what airline service was and this beautiful FA and wonderful smiles attest to the glory.
vacalling 1 year ago 6
A beautiful Sharon Stein....and I love that song especially when seeing it on a wide screen in the C.R.Smith Museum at the Learning Center...
hoakakiko 1 year ago 2
This has got to be my most favorite airline commercial of all time. The music is simply excellent, and the epic footage as well as the presentation itself really brings out the pride and the beauty of American Airlines from the 1970's. Commercials like these really show us just how mainstream commercial aviation has become, where we don't see "LuxuryLiner" or "Astroliner" on the side of the aircraft, and we don't receive the kind of hospitality and service that airlines once used to offer.
SSSCLimitedTrademark 1 year ago 43
Well, we don't see Coupe de Ville and Electra Park Avenue Limited on the sides of cars anymore either!
Longbeachliner 1 year ago
True, but what is important is that you understand my point. Airlines are not what they once used to be, and it's quite unfortunate to see such a drastic transformation over the years. The lowering of quality, service, and luxury though has made it possible for persons of all backgrounds to fly readily and frequently, which is a positive aspect. But I would still rather see the pride and beauty restored back into our nation's airlines, to make commercial aviation majestic once again.
SSSCLimitedTrademark 1 year ago
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Wow.... who is that flight attendant... She is beautiful! What smile.... ! I hope she is well today and enjoying life!
ChicagoCop1 1 year ago
@SSSCLimitedTrademark try "Aer Lingus your home" even better
Aviationnation10 11 months ago
after all these years this is still one of the most dramatic and exciting airline commercials. The combination of how the music builds along with the editing, its just great. thanks for sharing
MVR326 2 years ago 2
@MVR326 yes, very skillfully done. i too have noticed the great talents evident in these era airline commercials; always perfectly intermeshed with the feel of the music too, things these days seems flat and one dimensional in comparison to me
aztlaxpuroazul 11 months ago
@aztlaxpuroazul I totally agree.. the orchestration is musically dramatic and captures the image emotionally. A great overall effect!
JFQ4 11 months ago
American Airlines still to this day has one of the most memorable music that goes with any airline's commercial campaign. They should bring back a new updated version of commercials to get people back flying again.
carylee2002 2 years ago 2
Nice how they adapted this and still use it as the music for "something special in the air".
bd1976 2 years ago
This comment has received too many negative votes show
and what they do best is rip people off
KYLEAKAFLYBOIK 2 years ago
i love this commercial
JasonSchwerin 2 years ago
Lyrics:
I love flying far and wide
To see the land I love
Climb to find the blue horizon, the sun and sky above
It's my flight and I know it's right
And I just smile inside
(chorus)
From the sunrise in the East to the sunset in the West
We're American Airlines, doing what we do best
(repeat chorus)
SFConifer 2 years ago
This was a GREAT commercial when it came out .. almost showed what really goes on behind the scenes ! Turned me on to the airline industry !
georgesig1 2 years ago
0:18 I spot one beautiful Boeing 747-100. Too bad they dont have it anymore
psgman41 2 years ago 2
The jingle's nice, but ruined by the static noise. Anyone have a clear version of the commercial?
tiadaid 2 years ago
Lockheed L1011's were great jet liners. I know AA did not have them on their fleets. They all have been pulled out of service from other airlines like Delta.
newalm 2 years ago
AA had DC 10s not Lockheed L1011s
as97ir 2 years ago
AA flew 747s from '70-'late '83 including a few freighter Jumbos.
I had the misfortune of flying on one ex AA 747 with PA in June '84. She was called Clipper Beacon Light and was a total mechanical lemon.
Upon landing at Rome we blew an engine upon reverse, and I mean blew as in loud bang and sheet of flame shooting out the exhaust cone.
Springbok295 2 years ago
Actually, American did hold on to some form of 747 until 1993. According to Simon Forty's book on American Airlines from some time in the early / mid 90s.
travelsonic 2 years ago
they hold 747SPs untill 1994
as97ir 2 years ago
They brought back 747 sp's for a short while.
georgesig1 2 years ago
I flew ex American 747's at Pan Am. They were traded with ex National Airlines DC10's around 1986. American flew the 747 sp after that from DFW to Narita for a few years starting in the late 80's as nothing else had that kind of range.
rsand777 2 years ago
One of AA's former 747's is now serving NASA as a space shuttle transporter...used when the shuttle has to land at Edwards AFB to get it back home to Cape Kennedy.
AA has also briefly used 747SP's.
dubulbee 2 years ago
sasscuba - when did AA ever fly 747's?
I remember this commercial (and this time period) fondly as well. My whole fambly flew AA ORD-BOS one way when my dad got a big ol' promotion in 1977. (As it's happened, I haven't been on AA ever since; but I still like them!) The problem with this ad is, it describes AA as doing what they do best "from the sunrise in the east to the sunset in the west." Does that mean they ain't bringin' their A game on nighttime flights?
stuey123usa 2 years ago 2
Stuey, AA did have 747's at one time. They phased them out I think in the late 1970's. If you ever saw the movie "Airport 75" The 747 used in that film was an American Airline 747! They simply covered over AA and replaced it with "Columbia".
newalm 2 years ago
Then and Now, still the best airline flying!
Longbeachliner 2 years ago
Ah... American's DC-10-10s... back when they said "DC-10 Luxury Liner" on the fuselage too.
travelsonic 2 years ago
there 767's still say say luxury liner on the side
AmericanAirlinesBoy 2 years ago
Actually the "Luxury Jet " and "Luxury Liner" markings are now gone from ALL their planes now. :(
travelsonic 2 years ago
It's sad ... these were things that made the airlines special !
georgesig1 2 years ago
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travelsonic 2 years ago
My fathers friend was a captain for American Airlines for over 20 years. He had to retire when he reached the mandatory retirement age, which I think is 60? He died of cancer just two years after retiring in the early 1990's. The first time I flew on American Airlines was in 1974 from SFO to Dallas on a DC-10.
newalm 2 years ago
good old american airlines
AmericanAirlinesBoy 2 years ago
I still remember the other long gone airlines themes like Hughes Air West..."Top banana of the West", Or Pan Am, "We fly the world when the world wants fly". Or "PSA gives you a lift!" Western Airlines, "The oooownly way to fly!" But American Airlines had the most catchy song.
newalm 2 years ago
Does American Airlines even fly DC-10's anymore? I think I only see are 757's and 767's as far as their larger aircraft. I know the 747's disappeared ages ago from AA.
newalm 2 years ago
We now fly Md-80's, 737,757,767,777 and Airbus A-300. Gone are all DC-10's, MD-11's, Foker 100's, 727, and 747.
sasscuba 2 years ago
Also gone are the AA BAes and 737-200s/300s from AirCal merger, the MD-90s, and the Eagle operated Shorts 330s, 360s, SAAB 340s. Damn, AA went through so many aircraft types over the decades.
travelsonic 2 years ago
Travel, I remember those British made jets, is the BAE the small commuter jet with the wing over the fuselage and 4 engines? That was the aircraft used by PSA in the 1980's. Air Cal, which was Air California before the 1980's flew 737's and Lockheed Electra props.
newalm 2 years ago
I have a book with a photo of an American operated BAe clearly in AirCal / American hybrid livery.
travelsonic 2 years ago
mmm 777's r AAs largest aircraft
as97ir 2 years ago
Remember when stews were that hot? How far we have fallen.
cityleewolfe 2 years ago 2
Love this Commercial! Viva AA!!! Too bad i was not born in those days, until like 22 years later. Is there a Commercial from 1992 for AA?
zetina2010 2 years ago
I know some AA employees that have 15 or more years working with the company and they said to my father in a conversation that working in AA today is a nightmare and todays AA ownership don"t follow the great things and the footsteps that C.R. Smith and Bob Crandall did for the company.
ls14 2 years ago
I remember that catchy commercial theme. American Airlines was always the best. It is too bad the airlines are hurting and you cannot even get a meal on long flights anymore. Flying is terrible these days.
newalm 2 years ago
that cat is dead right now.
juanpablofx 2 years ago
thats hilliarious! lol
AmericanAirlinesBoy 2 years ago
american airlines bought the md 11's in the late 80's so abviosuly its a dc 10
AmericanAirlinesBoy 2 years ago
It is a very nice commercial
vladsirli12 2 years ago
This was back in the day when American Airlines passengers got 'The Best of Everything'. Old C.R. Smith must surely be turning over in his grave at the sorry state of service that the economy has forced his once great airline to now render in order to survive.
dubulbee 2 years ago
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I know some AA employees that have 15 or more years working with the company and they said to my father in a conversation that working in AA today is a nightmare and todays AA ownership don"t follow the great things and the footsteps that C.R. Smith and Bob Crandall did for the company.
ls14 2 years ago
Is that a MD-11 at the end?
Star841 2 years ago
DC-10-10
747400driver 2 years ago
They didn't have MD-11's in the '70s...not until the early '90s.
mrivera1 2 years ago
This video made me smile! =D
zetina2010 2 years ago 2
what a sweet commercial!
chicagoman58 2 years ago
I grew up listening to this and still catch myself humming out the melody and singing the chorus. Thx for the nostalgic walk down memory lane.
thewyndtyger 2 years ago
As a current AA flight attendant, this makes me so so so sad, because American used to be THE airline to be at and fly. And now it's not. :(
jaimelyn21 2 years ago
Oah, great commercial! Thank you for posting! AA the best!
AlexeyGaeloo 2 years ago 7
Very pretty girl. American is the best!
Longbeachliner 2 years ago 3
Thank you so much for posting this. I know the flight attendant in the commercial and she is every bit as beautiful today as she was then. They showed this video to us on our very first day of training at American Airlines, and it still gives me a good feeling watching it after all these years.
Thanks again.
builtfa 2 years ago 2
Question: Does she is still active with AA because this commercial is great. Ithink that AA should do this type of commercials. Im not saying that they are doing bad one but they should do better?
ls14 2 years ago
Yes, she still flies for AA. We are very proud of her. She is an outstanding flight attendant and represents us well.
I agree. I love this type of "feel good" commercial and think we should do them again.
builtfa 2 years ago 2
Thank You so much. I fell just like the Steve Miller band song: Fly like an Eagle
i Love AA. Go AA
ls14 2 years ago
she's a cutie, and she looks like a young Mary Tyler Moore!
chicagoman58 2 years ago
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builtfa 2 years ago
What a great treasure, thanks so much for sharing!
grapesofwraith1066 3 years ago
This is and awsome video I love it
ordflyboy 3 years ago