American Airlines launches Chicago-Moscow flight

American Airlines, the world’s largest airline, launched its first flight between the United States and Russia on May 3, 2008. The service between Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and Moscow’s Domodedovo International Airport is being operated by Boeing 777 aircraft.

American Airlines will fly every day to Moscow except on Sunday, and every day to Chicago except on Monday.

The flight schedule is:

* From Chicago to Moscow:

Departure:  5:15 p.m. Arrival: 12:15 p.m. (next day)

* From Moscow to Chicago:

Departure:  2:40 p.m. Arrival: 4:25 p.m. (same day)

The flight is about 10 hours east-bound and 10 hours and 45 minutes west-bound. It covers a roundtrip distance of nearly 10,000 miles.

From Chicago, passengers will be able to make easy connections to over 70 cities in 34 states and to Washington, D.C.

At Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport, American Airlines offers about 500 daily departures to 120 destinations.

With the new service, American Airlines became the first airline to fly between Chicago and Moscow, the capital of Russia.

In Moscow, American Airlines will use the comparatively new, privately owned Domodedovo International Airport rather than Sheremetyevo Airport, which is used by Skyteam alliance members, including Aeroflot and Delta Air Lines.

American Airlines has also signed an interline agreement with domestic carrier S8, which offers connections throughout Russia.

American Airlines, a founding member of the Oneworld airline alliance, is a subsidiary of AMR Corporation, based in Fort Worth, Texas, the United States.

In a statement, Craig Kreeger, American Airlines’ senior vice-president of international operations, said: “We are sure that the Moscow-Chicago link will strengthen the economical ties between Russia and the United States. American Airlines will seek a Russian partner in future to fly incoming passengers from Chicago to other parts of Russia, which spans 11 time zones.”

Kreeger added: “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.”

It may be noted that many United States-based airlines, which are burdened with exorbitant fuel prices, competition from low-cost carriers and a weakening domestic economy, are increasingly seeking profitable international routes.

American Airlines has grown international capacity from 27.5% to 36.1% over the past 5 years, the statement from the company said. It has also expanded its international reach through code-shares with the partners of Oneworld alliance, including British Airways and Japan Airlines.

According to analysts, a non-stop flight to Moscow actually benefits from the rising oil prices. Russia ranks third in the world in oil and gas reserves, with an annual economic growth of 7% since 1998. As a result, air traffic is growing rapidly.