What challenge could American Airlines, the largest airline in the world, possibly face when it comes to the ever-important Australian market?
It’s not brand awareness, connections or capacity, but rather, helping Aussies narrow down their choices for travel around the USA.
Sounds hard to believe, but according to American Airlines’ General Manager for Australia and New Zealand, the carrier has some 190 onward destinations for Aussies to fly to via Los Angeles.
190 destinations! That’s a whole lot of choice.
In a Q&A with KARRYON after the carrier’s recent Thanksgiving Lunch in Sydney, Simon Dodd said the airline is helping travellers choose locations for their next USA holiday by working with Travel Agents and launching initiatives such as the Thanksgiving Travel Guide and Halloween Travel Guide.
Through these new initiatives, Dodd hopes Agents can help their clients narrow down their holiday options and bring to life his dream of higher repeat visitors from Australia and further exploration of lesser travelled parts of the USA.
Read on for the full Q&A + why Dodd thinks Agents should be selling American Airlines to their clients:
Happy Thanksgiving, what part of the last year at American Airlines are you grateful for?
Simon Dodd [left] with former NBA player Tracy Williams, Chef Sean Connolly, & Laura Evans.
The whole team is grateful for the support we’ve received from our travel agency partners. We’re pleased we have had the opportunity to help Aussie travellers experience dream holidays in LA and all across the USA.
What event or result in the coming year at American Airlines would make you even more grateful?
Simon Dodd speaking at an American Airlines Thanksgiving event in Sydney.
Seeing more customers travel to the USA or come back for a repeat trip to the USA, including travelling to parts of the USA they haven’t visited before.
Thanksgiving is a nation-wide celebration in the US, but which city do you think all Aussies need to experience it in & why?
There is no better time for Aussies to visit the US, than on the biggest holiday of the year. You will really capture the true spirit of America, and there’s no better destination to understand the history of Thanksgiving than to take a visit to where it all began.
If you head one hour south of Boston, you can explore Plymouth, which was once a village for colonists in New England. With a three-day event including a parade, food festival, crafter’s fair and outdoor ‘living history’ village, getting into the Thanksgiving spirit is unavoidable.
What other challenges do you think American Airlines has in the market?
Helping travellers choose from the multiple options for their next USA holiday! Check out the American Airlines and KARRYON Thanksgiving Travel Guide for some inspiration!
Air New Zealand’s new direct service to Chicago takes off shortly, how do you think this will impact competition on trains-Pacific services?
American Airlines is focused on our own non-stop flight to Los Angeles, with easy and convenient connections to Chicago, with an early afternoon arrival.
What challenges will the new flight create for American Airlines & how will you overcome them?
We have nine hubs throughout the United States which provide a myriad of options for Australian travellers, and we are confident our network, and product will continue to provide the best options for seeing the US!
What are some of the main reasons you think Agents should be selling American Airlines to their clients?
Our Dreamliner 787-9 offers Flagship Business with fully lie-flat beds, all with aisle access. We have worked with Chef Sean Connolly to create an amazing dining experience for our customers in Flagship™ Business.
We also offer Casper sleep technology for a great rest all the way to LA. Premium Economy offers more leg room, larger seats and unique menus and in the Main Cabin we offer Main Cabin Extra, in-flight entertainment and power at every seat and WiFi throughout.
As the largest airline in the world, American offers a choice of 190 onward destinations from Los Angeles!
- READ: US airline is expanding its European footprint
- READ: Flight Review of AA’s SYD-LAX Flagship Business
- READ: American carrier bans support pigs, not miniature ponies
