Today is the inaugural flight of American’s new 777-300ER from LAX to LHR, and to celebrate the event the @AmericanAir team has come up with a fun promotion that offers you a chance to win a trip to London.

Watch this video to learn how to enter.

Here are the details:

How to Enter: To enter, follow @AmericanAir on Twitter, tweet using #newAmerican and include a YouTube video or Vine for saying the line “The #newAmerican is arriving. U want to fly London to Los Angeles (or Los Angeles to London) on the 777-300ER” in either an American or British accent.

On-line entry via Twitter only- all participants must have access to the internet and an active Twitter account. If you do not have a Twitter account you will need to create one in order to participate and you will require an active email address in order to do this.

The Prize: Two (2) Roundtrip Coach Class Travel Authorization Certificates (each a “Travel Certificate”) on American Airlines or its “Airline Associates” (American Eagle, Executive Airlines or the AmericanConnection carrier) A) for US Based Resident from any city served by American Airlines or its Airline Associates in the forty-eight (48) contiguous United States to the European destination of Winner’s choice.

Awarding of Prizes: On or about June 18, 2013, a random drawing will be conducted from among all Eligible Entries received by Sponsor who will select the Winner in a random drawing from among all Eligible Entries received by Sponsor under independent supervision. Winners will be contacted on or about June 18, 2013.

Deadline: All entries must be received by at 4:01:59 p.m. US CT/ 10:01:59 PM GMT London Time on June 14, 2013.

Go here for complete details.

Good luck!

American launches 777-300ER service between DFW and London today and they’re promoting the event with a new Twitter sweepstakes:

follow @AmericanAir on Twitter, tweet using #newAmerican and include a Vine or TwitPic of why the consumer should win a trip on the new 777-300 between DFW and LHR

Vine is an iOS app that lets you create short looping videos that you can upload and share online (think of it as the Instagram of video).

Take a look at the rules before you submit your entry, there’s a long list of things you can’t do or show in your submission.  So keep it rated ‘G” and no swigging from a bottle of Pimms.

The Prize:

American Airlines Travel Authorization Certificates: One Grand Prize, consisting of Two (2) Roundtrip Coach Class Travel Authorization Certificates on American Airlines or its “Airline Associates” (American Eagle, Executive Airlines or the American Connection carrier)

A) for US Based Resident from any city served by American Airlines or its Airline Associates in the forty-eight (48) contiguous United States to the European destination of Winner’s choice,

or

B) for UK residents from Manchester (MAN) or London (LHR) to any city served by American Airlines or its Airline Associates in the forty-eight (48) contiguous United States.

Approximate retail value (“ARV”): $2,250 each. Total ARV of all Prizes: $4,500

You don’t have to worry about your video skills, this isn’t a competition. The winner will be picked in a random drawing:

On or about March 12, 2013, a random drawing will be conducted from among all Eligible Entries received by Sponsor who will select the Winner in a random drawing from among all Eligible Entries received by Sponsor under independent supervision.

Winners will be contacted on or about March 12, 2013. The Sponsor’s decisions will be final in all matters relating to this Sweepstakes/Prize Draw. The potential Winner will be notified via Direct Message (DM) from the Twitter User name used to enter the Sweepstakes/Prize Draw.

The deadline to enter is:

4:01:59 p.m. US CT/ 10:01:59 PM GMT London Time on March 7, 2013

Go here for the complete terms and conditions.

Good luck!

I’ve said before that I’m a big fan of American’s social media team, and it’s during times like Hurricane Sandy that they really shine.

During the storm they provided crises communications, weather news, information about flight delays and cancellations, and helped customers whose travel plans were disrupted. And they did all of this with patience, friendliness, and humor.

Every day they’re helping lots of people, 140 characters at a time, so it’s good to seem them get some recognition for their efforts.

Last month at the 2012 SimpliFlying Awards event in Amsterdam they were awarded First Place – Best Airlines Driving Customer Service from Social Media.

They absolutely deserve it.

Do you want to see the faces behind the @AmericanAir team?  Take a look at this new video from American detailing some of their Social Media Team’s accomplishments for 2012.

Speaking of the @AmericanAir team, Brett Snyder of the Cranky Flier has a two part Across the Aisle interview with Jonathan Pierce, the Director of Social Communications for American Airlines.

It’s a great interview and touches on subjects that I wasn’t even aware of, like the challenge of using Twitter as a customer service tool in an environment regulated by the Department of Transportation. Interesting stuff.

Part 1:

The Cranky Flier Interviewing the Man Behind the Social Media Strategy at American Airlines, Part 1 (Across the Aisle)

and Part 2:

The Cranky Flier Interviewing the Man Behind the Social Media Strategy at American Airlines, Part 2 (Across the Aisle)

American is set to take delivery of a new Boeing 777-300ER soon and it’s set to go into service December 13 between DFW and Sao Paulo.

These new planes will feature redesigned cabins, fully lie-flat First and Business class seats with aisle access from every seat, and international wi-fi capability.

The @AmericanAir team posted a couple of photos on Facebook of their new 777-300ER as it’s being assembled at the Boeing factory in Everett, WA.  Here’s the caption:

In less than a month, Boeing has made great progress on our 1st 777-300.

I started wondering how long it takes to make a 777. Turns out, not very long. From David Parker Brown at AirlineReporter.com

From first part to out of the Boeing factory in Everett: 49 days
Time in the paint booth: 4 additional days
Flights and testing: About 30 additional days
Total from first part to delivery: About 83 days — less than three months.

So if we figure 49 days in the factory, and it’s been about a month so far, then it should roll of the line in about three more weeks.  I’m not sure where it goes after that, or when it’s going to be fitted with the new cabin, but I can’t wait to see THOSE photos!

Photo: American Airlines 777-200
Credit: Roger Schultz on Flickr

American just posted another “Behind the Scenes” video.  This one gives us a look at what happens when they take delivery of a new Boeing 737.

“What’s involved in taking delivery of a new plane? Behind the Scenes @AmericanAir”

I follow the @AmericanAir YouTube channel and when I saw the headline my first thought was that it might be a sneak peek at one of the new 777-300ERs that’ll go into service at the end of the year

These new 777-300ERs will feature a completely redesigned cabin and fully lie-flat seats, and while American has released some computer generated concept images, they haven’t released any photos yet.

I’m excited about these new interiors and can’t wait to see the real thing.

The other day I noticed that the @AmericanAir team tweeted an image of the new 777 on the production line at Boeing’s factory, so I may not have to wait much longer!

American Airlines Vacations just launched a new scratch-off promotion that offers players a discount and a chance to win a vacation:

Plan Now for Big Savings and Enter for a Chance to Win a Dream Vacation!

Click and drag the coin across the game card to reveal vacation package savings of up to 10%! Match any three offers and with that offer.

Then, register to receive your promotion code and you’ll also be entered for a chance to win a dream vacation!

Hint: If you don’t like the scratch-off results, just refresh the page and play again.

The prize is a $5,000 electronic gift certificate issued by American Airlines to be used toward an AA Vacation package purchase. All entries must be received by 11:59 p.m. Central on September 21, 2012. Go here to read the rules and go to www.AAVacations.com/Scratch-Off to enter.

Reader Giveaway

Speaking of winning stuff….here’s your chance to win an American Airlines Amenity Kit and a 10% discount code you can use to save money on your next ticket purchase!

The discount code is courtesy a reader who had a spare (thanks WIS!), and the amenity kit is my own. It’s brand new and still sealed in the plastic.

Next time you’re in coach, pull out the kit and it’ll be just like sitting in First Class (minus the extra room, warm nuts, baked on board cookie, and butter mint).

The other day I mentioned that American was nominated for two awards in the Annual SimpliFlying Excellence in Social Media Awards. They’re among the finalist in two categories:

Best Airline in Social Media

Best Use of Social Media to Drive Customer Service

Voting runs though August 25, and if you haven’t already voted, you can go here to cast your ballot.

To enter my Reader Giveaway, all you have to do is correctly guess who I voted for in the Best Airline in Social Media category and leave your answer in the comments section.

Monday, I’ll have a random drawing from among all the correct answers and will announce a winner.  One entry per person. The deadline to enter is Sunday, August 19, at 11:59 PM Pacific Time.

Good luck, don’t forget to vote, and have a great weekend!!

Here’s a new video from the behind the scenes series from @AmericanAir. It’s a look at the luggage system at DFW airport.

I guess I’ve spent a little too much time at the airport- I recognized every one of the ticket agents!

Don’t forget that the Frugal Travel Guy’s Monday Deal of the Day is sponsored by American Airlines.  Go share your best AAdvantage or American Airlines related advice for a chance to win 2,500 AAdvantage Miles.

American’s Twitter team has really hit their groove. They started out about 20 months ago mostly to provide AA news but they’ve grown to be so much more than that.

They’ve helped defuse a bomb scare. They’ve become the go to source for information during bad weather and airport delays, they answer travel questions, track down lost luggage, help with travel plans gone awry, and take care of customers.

They give unhappy customers someplace to vent, and give happy customers a place to Tweet about their honeymoons, vacations, and travels.

And they do all of this with cheer, grace, and humor.

They’ve been very successful and their Twitter channel has proven to be quite popular with customers, so they’re expanding the number of hours that they’re available.

Previously they were online and helping people Monday through Friday, 8AM to 6PM, but you you can now reach them seven days a week from 6AM till midnight (Central time).

I’ve turned to them several times when I’ve had questions about a promotion or an offer, and they always find me an answer. I’m a big fan.

If you don’t already follow them, you can find them on Twitter @AmericanAir.

Do you try to pick flight that you think will offer inflight wifi? I do. I look for 767-200s, 737s, MD-80s on some routes, and try to avoid 757s and 767-300 (domestically).

Before I buy a ticket, I’ll follow wifi availability on a route using the American wifi widget to see if there are some flights that consistently offer it. It’s not guaranteed to work, but since last year, I have’t ended up on a flight (excluding flights on 763s and 757s) without Wifi

Does anyone else do this?

Anyway, here’s a new Facebook promotion from American Airlines:

Win 100,000 AAdvantage Miles and 10 Single Use In-Flight Wifi passes

It’s our goal to ensure that you stay plugged-in, entertained, and engaged with your life throughout your entire travel experience, and our suite of Connectivity services are designed to do just that. So how are we doing? Let us know what you think, and you could win 100,000 AAdvantage miles and 10 one-time InFlight Wi-Fi passes.

The questions with my comments

It’s our goal to ensure that you stay plugged-in, entertained, and engaged with your life throughout your entire travel experience, and our suite of Connectivity services are designed to do just that. So how are we doing? Let us know what you think, and you could win 100,000 AAdvantage miles and 10 one-time InFlight Wi-Fi passes.

How often do you use In-Flight Wi-Fi? And why?

I never turn down three things: a second helping of warm mixed nuts, baked on board cookies, or inflight wifi.

Have you tried our entertainment on demand and streamed a movie/show in flight? What did you think?

This is cool, and I’d ilk to try it. It’s sort of like Netflix for your computer and tablets at 30K feet:

Entertainment on demand is available onboard all American Airlines flights on 767-200 planes – primarily transcontinental flights between New York JFK and Los Angeles and JFK and San Francisco, as well as select MD80 planes* and coming soon to 737-800 planes. We are working to install entertainment on demand service across our entire Inflight Wi-Fi equipped domestic fleet by the end of the year.

Of the flights that I’ve been on this year that have offered it, I was upgraded each time. So while I’ve been able to try out the new Samsung Tab entertainment system, I still haven’t tried the Entertainment on Demand service. I look forward to giving it a try the next time the Upgrade Gods decide to leave me in the main cabin.

Our mobile apps are pretty awesome! But what else do you wish they could do?

They are pretty awesome and I’m a big fan of AA’s iPhone App and the mobile website. But since they asked…there are a couple of features I’d like to see added. I’d like to see an Admirals Club section with a list of locations. One that doesn’t require a Wifi or data signal (airports and international destinations can sometimes make it difficult to access information stored remotely).

I’d also like it to list club amenities. It would be especially helpful at JFK, ORD, DFW if you’re trying to find a club that offers showers.

How often do you find yourself looking for a power port in flight?’

Always. It’s inevitable that one of my devices is low on energy.

About a year ago they started adding more powerports to their planes and the whole fleet is finished with the exception of 767-300s and the 757s. Those two are a work in progress and should be done by the end of the year.

Anyway, go here to read the rules and to take the survey and enter the drawing for the 100,000 AAdvantage Miles.

Good luck!

N33V43NDX33H

Passengers traveling from Los Angeles to JFK today will get to take part in a high altitude film festival. From a USC Annenberg School of Communications press release:

Universal Pictures partnered with USC Annenberg to develop ideas to celebrate the Studio’s 100th anniversary.

Now, one of the USC students’ ideas is taking off on April 30 with the first-ever inflight film festival to commemorate the Studio’s legacy and 100 years in moviemaking. Universal Pictures is teaming up with American Airlines to welcome customers onboard Flight 1 and Flight 22 with this special in-air transcontinental film festival featuring two of Universal’s beloved films, Field of Dreams and Seabiscuit.

As a toast to Universal’s special day, customers onboard select American Airlines flights between New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) will be invited to sit back and enjoy the films. Gift bags will be distributed at the gates of participating flights prior to departure, giving customers a coupon for a free 15-minute inflight internet session, headphones and classic movie candy.

You don’t have to be a passenger on one of the two flights participate:

Fans will have a chance to be one of 10 winners, randomly selected from qualifying tweets. Winners will receive an in-air Universal Centennial Blu-ray prize pack. Anyone can join in for a chance to win by using the hashtag #Universal100 in their tweets from April 30 through May 1.

Go here to read the press release and follow @AmericanAir for more details.

*****************************

Here’s a great way to start your week off: Win AAdvantage Miles and Discount Codes

Win Miles – Today is the last day to vote in American’s AAdvantage Tips Facebook contest for a chance to win 5,000 AAdvantage Miles. You can also vote for your favorite Expert Tip (I’m participating) and help me win some miles to give away on the blog and to donate to AA’s Miles for Kids.

Win More Miles: Don’t forget that Monday is AAdvantage Day at the Frugal Travel Guy. Go share your favorite AAdvantage advice in the comments section for a chance to win 2,500 AAdvantage Miles!

Save Money: High jumping blogger Michael W, over the at Michael W Travels, is sponsoring a drawing today to give away two American Airlines discount codes. To win, all you have to do is leave a comment on his blog. While you’re there, check out his Top 5 Animal Encounters post; it’s a feature in this month’s ScotteVest newsletter (congratulations Michael W!).

Photo: Universal’s logo in the ’40s
Credit: PappyV on Flickr