American Eagle Airlines Announces New Jet Service to Dallas/Ft. Worth and Chicago O’Hare from Lexington’s Blue Grass Airport

LEXINGTON, KY – Officials of American Eagle, the regional affiliate of American Airlines, announced today at a press conference held at Blue Grass Airport that it will add daily non-stop jet service between Lexington and both Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Chicago O’Hare International Airport beginning May 1. American Eagle will operate three daily round-trip flights to Dallas/Fort Worth and two daily round-trip flights to Chicago O’Hare with its 50-seat Embraer ERJ-145 regional jet.

“Adding new service to both Dallas/Fort Worth and Chicago will provide Lexington travelers more connecting options to hundreds of destinations throughout the United States and the world via American’s two largest hubs,” said American Eagle President Peter Bowler. “The service between Lexington and O’Hare, for example, is perfectly timed to provide convenient connections to many of American’s international flights, including its new non-stop service to Nagoya, Japan that starts April 3.”

“The growing importance of reliable air connections to the nation’s business markets and minimal time spent in transit are a key ingredient of economic development,” stated Governor Ernie Fletcher. “The additional direct flights from Blue Grass Airport will provide business leaders more opportunities to experience Kentucky and make the decision to locate or expand their business in the Commonwealth.”

“Lexington consistently ranks among the best places in the U.S. to live and operate a business. High quality air service and convenient access to the global marketplace is vital to our region’s future success. We are pleased to welcome American Eagle Airlines to Lexington,” said Mayor Teresa Isaac, Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government.

“Blue Grass Airport has been pursuing non-stop jet service by American Eagle for over five years, and we are thrilled to welcome the world’s largest airline brand to Central Kentucky,” said Michael Gobb, Executive Director, Blue Grass Airport. “This new service would not be possible without the unprecedented assistance the airport has received from the City of Lexington, the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and Commerce Lexington.”

Tickets for Dallas/Ft. Worth and Chicago are now available for sale by contacting American Airlines reservations at (800) 433-7300, logging on to www.aa.com or by contacting your travel agent.

The schedule for the new service is as follows (all times local):

Lexington to Dallas/Fort Worth (LEX-DFW)
Flight Departs/Arrives
3498* 6:30 a.m./7:43 a.m.
3688 12:50 p.m./2:06 p.m.
3632 5:00 p.m./6:15 p.m.
*Effective May 2

Dallas/Fort Worth to Lexington (DFW-LEX)
Flight Departs/Arrives
3687 9:10 a.m./12:16 p.m.
36311:15 p.m./4:20 p.m.
3499 6:45 p.m./9:50 p.m.

Lexington to Chicago O’Hare (LEX-ORD)
Flight Departs/Arrives
4449* 7:01 a.m./7:13 a.m.
4410 11:30 a.m./11:51 a.m.
*Effective May 2

Chicago O’Hare to Lexington (ORD-LEX)
Flight Departs/Arrives
4448 8:40 a.m./10:56 a.m.
4411 6:00 p.m./8:19 p.m.

American Eagle is the largest U.S. regional airline, operating over 1,600 daily flights to more than 140 cities throughout the United States, Canada, the Bahamas, Mexico and the Caribbean on behalf of American Airlines. American Airlines is the world's largest carrier. American, American Eagle and the AmericanConnection® regional carriers serve more than 250 cities in over 40 countries with more than 3,800 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 1,000 aircraft. American's award-winning Web site, 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 oneworldsm 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 more than 575 destinations in 135 countries and territories. American Airlines and American Eagle are units of the AMR Corporation.

Serving over one million passengers each year, Blue Grass Airport has been recognized as one of the fastest growing airports in the nation and a model among small community airports for new security technology, marketing and community outreach.