CHICAGO – American Airlines begins a new chapter in its more than 80-year history today when it launches its first flight from the United States to Russia. American, a founding member of the oneworld® Alliance and the world’s largest airline, will be the first U.S. air carrier to fly directly out of Chicago O’Hare International Airport to Moscow’s Domodedovo International Airport ( DME).
“This new flight will connect two sister cities that feature thriving economic and cultural offerings for business and leisure travelers alike,” said Kurt Stache, American’s Vice President and General Sales Manager. “The new flight is starting at a time when travel to and from Russia is growing by leaps and bounds. We believe our Gateway to the World Hub in the U.S. Heartland is the ideal location from which to offer this new service.
“Moscow, Russia’s largest city, is the center of industry and commerce and American businesses are doing more commerce there than ever before. Chicago also offers easy connections for passengers living in 77 cities in 34 states and the District of Columbia. Additionally, there are many Russian Americans who wish to visit their families and this new flight will make it easier for them to do so.”
American is flying into Domodedovo, a privately owned and operated airport that opened in 1996. It has integrated domestic and international connection passenger facilities, superior access to downtown Moscow by train, and it is also served by other oneworld® carriers.
The new route will be served using Boeing 777-200 aircraft, which seat 245 passengers in a three-class configuration. The airplane has 16 award-winning Flagship Suite seats in First Class – each with a fully flat six-foot, six-inch bed with drop-down armrests that allow for easier access and more sleeping space. The Flagship Suite seats also feature privacy dividers, power ports and leather headrests.
The Next Generation Business Class cabin features 37 fully-reclining seats, private inflight entertainment devices with a variety of pre-loaded movies, TV shows, music and games, as well as power ports. In the 194-seat Economy Class, passengers will enjoy video entertainment at each seat. For those travelers who prefer to use their own electronic devices, the Boeing 777s have power ports in more than 50 percent of the Economy Class seats.
Passengers on the new flight will be served menu items that will be pleasing to both the American and Russian palate alike. For example, Stolichnaya vodka will be featured as will wines preferred by Moscow residents, including a sweet Wegeler Riesling Spatlase.
In addition to “CBS Eye on American” television programming, up to 47 movies will be available with various audio dubs in alternate languages, including five to six movies with a Russian language dub.
American also will have language specialists on board who will be able to assist Russian-speaking passengers as needed.
To celebrate the new flight, American is offering special Economy Class fares at prices up to 25 percent below normal levels, along with up to 10,000 AAdvantage® bonus miles for round-trip travel to the Russian capital. American’s special fares to Moscow are offered from most U.S. cities and are good for travel from early June through early September. The AAdvantage bonus offer is good for round-trip travel from any American Airlines or American Eagle city to Moscow from early June through the end of August. More information is available on AA.com.