During the 1930s, New York City’s sole commercial airport was located in New Jersey. In a bold act of protest, NYC Mayor LaGuardia refused to disembark in New Jersey when his ticket read “New York City,” compelling the pilot to fly him to NYC instead. This event highlighted the pressing need for a proper airport in the city, and eventually led to the construction of LaGuardia Airport, which opened in 1939 and now serves as a vital transportation hub for millions of passengers each year
The Costly Lesson of American Airlines’ Lifetime AAirpass
In 1981, American Airlines introduced the “lifetime unlimited AAirpass” at a cost of $250,000, which would be equivalent to around $870,000 in today’s currency. This exclusive pass granted lifetime access to unlimited first-class flights, and an additional companion pass could be obtained for an extra $150,000. The airline hoped that this initiative would generate substantial revenue, but it ultimately backfired. Only a handful of people purchased the passes, and those who did made full use of the benefits. Two of the most frequent fliers cost American Airlines a staggering $1 million annually and accumulated over 30 million miles in their travels.
Interestingly, the AAirpass was not the only such program at the time; other airlines offered similar lifetime passes with varying prices and benefits. For example, United Airlines sold a lifetime pass for unlimited travel in first-class cabins at a price of $500,000 in 1988. However, due to similar issues with cost and usage, these programs were eventually discontinued.