FORT WORTH, Texas, April 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --– American Airlines and American Eagle customers and employees have generously donated more than $1.64 million to aid those affected by the March 11 earthquake and tsunami that struck Japan.

To date, more than 16,000 AAdvantage® members have contributed in excess of $1.6 million to the American Red Cross Japan and Pacific Tsunami Fund through American's partnership with the American Red Cross, which is helping provide shelter, food and other assistance to earthquake and tsunami victims. Through April 30, a one-time award of 250 AAdvantage bonus miles will be granted for a minimum donation of $50, or 500 AAdvantage bonus miles for a donation of $100 or more.

"The devastation in Japan is truly overwhelming, and we are extremely moved that our customers and employees continue to step up to help the victims of the earthquake and tsunami," said Kurt Stache, American's Vice President – International. "All of us at American and American Eagle remain unwavering in our commitment to aid Japan's recovery."

As news of the disaster spread, American and American Eagle employees quickly set in motion efforts to raise funds and provide assistance to earthquake and tsunami victims. Employees have contributed more than $43,000 through the airline's American Giving program, which allows employees to make direct monetary contributions to charitable organizations. American's Asia/Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group (APIERG) was especially instrumental, garnering more than $22,000 in donations through various fundraisers.

"These contributions from American Airlines customers and employees are critically important as we work to provide help and hope to survivors of the Japan earthquake and Pacific tsunami," said Michael J. Brown, Vice President of Corporate and Foundation Giving at the American Red Cross. "In times of disaster, assistance from our corporate partners is key to our ability to fulfill our humanitarian mission."

Additional employee-led fundraising initiatives to provide assistance to Japan include:

• Bake sales, hot dog sales, donation tables and other fundraising activities at New York's John F. Kennedy Airport
• Sales of food and baked goods at San Francisco and London Heathrow International Airports
• Raffles and lunch sales by American Airlines Maintenance and Engineering employees at Los Angeles International Airport
• Donation collections and bake sales at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport, as well as shipments of pillow and blanket sets to Japan
• Gifts of homemade baked goods to thank customers who donate at Zurich Airport

Select Admirals Club® lounges throughout the system also have containers specifically for Japan relief donations, with all funds going to the American Giving Disaster Relief Fund.

Customers may also contribute to Japan relief efforts through UNICEF's Change for Good program on American Airlines flights. During the months of March and April, donated U.S. and foreign coins will help support UNICEF's emergency relief and recovery efforts in Japan. Employee volunteers known as Champions for Children volunteer their time to collect donations in Admirals Clubs and onboard selected American Airlines international flights in support of UNICEF's programs that benefit children in need.

For more information or to donate, please visit www.AA.com/DisasterRelief.

About American Airlines

American Airlines, American Eagle and AmericanConnection® serve 250 cities in 50 countries with, on average, more than 3,600 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 900 aircraft. American's award-winning website, AA.com®, provides users with easy access to check and book fares, plus personalized news, information and travel offers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld® Alliance, which brings together some of the best and biggest names in the airline business, enabling them to offer their customers more services and benefits than any airline can provide on its own. Together, its members serve approximately 900 destinations with more than 9,000 daily flights to 145 countries and territories. American Airlines, Inc. and American Eagle Airlines, Inc. are subsidiaries of AMR Corporation. AmericanAirlines, American Eagle, AmericanConnection, AA.com, and AAdvantage are trademarks of American Airlines, Inc. (NYSE: AMR).

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The address is http://www.aa.com

SOURCE American Airlines