December 4, 2000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATIONAL MEDIATION BOARD

Re: American Airlines -- Association of Professional Flight Attendants

A spokesman for the National Mediation Board confirmed today that mediated talks between American Airlines and the Association of Professional Flight Attendants (APFA) were recessed on December 1, 2000. The parties have been in mediation since September 7, 2000 over wages and working conditions covering 22,500 flight attendants.

Under the Railway Labor Act, the statute governing labor relations in the airline and railroad industries, the parties remain in mandatory mediation until they reach agreement or the Board determines further mediation efforts would not be productive in reaching an agreement. If the Board determines that further mediation efforts would not be successful, it offers arbitration to resolve the dispute. If either party rejects arbitration, the Board releases the parties into a 30-day cooling off period. Only after the completion of the 30-day cooling off period may the parties engage in a work stoppage or lockout. Neither party currently is requesting a cooling off period, and no job actions before the holidays are anticipated.

American Airlines operates worldwide scheduled services, to more than 160 cities. With its regional affiliate, American Eagle, American Airlines serves more than 240 cities worldwide.

(A-13105)