American Airlines' first full cargo flights since 1984
Unusual times demand unusual measures, as American Airlines confirmed this weekend. For the first time since withdrawing its B747 freighters from service in 1984, the Dallas-Fort Worth-based airline has aircraft in operation that carry only cargo and necessary flight personnel – even if they are passenger aircraft.
The first cargo-only flight departed from DFW on 20 March 2020, landing in Frankfurt the following day. The B777-300, which has 14 cargo positions for large pallets and can carry more than 45 t, operates two round trips over the course of four days. They are expected to be booked to capacity and transport medical supplies, mail for active US military, telecommunications equipment and electronics that will support people working from home and e-commerce packages. (ah)