When will the new point-to-point product and branding come on line?
The new product and cabin will start coming onboard in the beginning of next year. Q: What is your relationship with American Airlines, especially under Chairman and CEO Donald J. Carty? He’s trying to impart his own cultural changes on the airline, take a more humanistic approach. Is he on the right track? A: Without question he’s on the right track. I’ve had the same experience at BA. If you believe in what you’re doing, you need to have the confidence to do it. You shouldn’t shrink from that. You should press on. Don is a fine manager. We have developed a very close relationship. Q: Is American better off now than under former CEO Bob Crandall? A: The AA you see today would never have existed had it not been for the vision and drive and energy of Bob Crandall. There is now a new stage of development. The customers have changed — even the airplanes. If you see the sort of people who fly on airplanes today, they’re different. Even 10 years ago, flying on an airplane was a privilege.
