Airline data

American Airlines performance scorecard

As of 2026-07, 40.5% of Google's own autocomplete suggestions about American are negative (45 of 111) — including "american airlines cancelled".

We hold 178 validated statistics for American Airlines, covering 1987 to 2026-07. The 62 most recent in each category are below.

What this does not meanThis carrier’s figures span 1 January 2018, when the DOT changed both which airlines must report (from 1% to half of one percent of domestic scheduled passenger revenue) and how flights are attributed (from the operating carrier to the marketing carrier). Figures either side of that date describe different populations of flights, so they are listed by year rather than drawn as one trend.

Baggage and change fees

In 2024, American Airlines Inc. collected $11.69 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($1606.0M total across 137.4M passengers).
2024complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2023, American Airlines Inc. collected $10.6 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($1388.0M total across 130.9M passengers).
2023complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2022, American Airlines Inc. collected $11.85 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($1429.0M total across 120.6M passengers).
2022complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2021, American Airlines Inc. collected $12.62 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($1252.0M total across 99.2M passengers).
2021complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2020, American Airlines Inc. collected $15.8 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($895.0M total across 56.7M passengers).
2020complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2019, American Airlines Inc. collected $17.12 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($2158.0M total across 126.1M passengers).
2019complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2018, American Airlines Inc. collected $17.46 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($2087.0M total across 119.5M passengers).
2018complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2017, American Airlines Inc. collected $17.6 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($2051.0M total across 116.5M passengers).
2017complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2016, American Airlines Inc. collected $17.26 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($2014.0M total across 116.7M passengers).
2016complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2015, American Airlines Inc. collected $17.45 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($1629.0M total across 93.3M passengers).
2015complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2014, American Airlines Inc. collected $16.99 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($1128.0M total across 66.4M passengers).
2014complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).
In 2013, American Airlines Inc. collected $15.78 per passenger in baggage + change fees ($1027.0M total across 65.1M passengers).
2013complete-population accounting data (Form 41), not a sample
Excludes seat/upgrade/other ancillary fees (not separately reported).

Lobbying and political spending

In 2024, American reported $0.85B net income while scoring 71.9/100 on the Row30 Misery Index (rank #2 most miserable).
2024audited 10-K figures (complete population)
Holding-company level income.
In 2024, American spent $8.17M on federal lobbying while collecting $1606.0M in baggage and change fees — $197.0 in fees for every lobbying dollar.
2024complete-population disclosures (LDA filings + Form 41)
Lobbying totals include all issues, not only aviation; LDA data as-retrieved (Senate cannot vouch post-retrieval).
In 2024, American scored 70.4/100 on the Row30 Hypocrisy Index (lobbying spend x passenger fees x operational misery), ranking #2.
2024composite index; components published alongside
Complaint dimension currently proxied by misery index pending DOT ATCR ingestion.
In 2023, American reported $0.82B net income while scoring 51.9/100 on the Row30 Misery Index (rank #4 most miserable).
2023audited 10-K figures (complete population)
Holding-company level income.
In 2023, American scored 37.7/100 on the Row30 Hypocrisy Index (lobbying spend x passenger fees x operational misery), ranking #5.
2023composite index; components published alongside
Complaint dimension currently proxied by misery index pending DOT ATCR ingestion.
In 2023, American spent $7.84M on federal lobbying while collecting $1388.0M in baggage and change fees — $177.0 in fees for every lobbying dollar.
2023complete-population disclosures (LDA filings + Form 41)
Lobbying totals include all issues, not only aviation; LDA data as-retrieved (Senate cannot vouch post-retrieval).
In 2022, American scored 61.2/100 on the Row30 Hypocrisy Index (lobbying spend x passenger fees x operational misery), ranking #3.
2022composite index; components published alongside
Complaint dimension currently proxied by misery index pending DOT ATCR ingestion.
In 2022, American reported $0.13B net income while scoring 54.1/100 on the Row30 Misery Index (rank #5 most miserable).
2022audited 10-K figures (complete population)
Holding-company level income.
In 2022, American spent $7.9M on federal lobbying while collecting $1429.0M in baggage and change fees — $181.0 in fees for every lobbying dollar.
2022complete-population disclosures (LDA filings + Form 41)
Lobbying totals include all issues, not only aviation; LDA data as-retrieved (Senate cannot vouch post-retrieval).
In 2021, American reported $-1.99B net income while scoring 56.4/100 on the Row30 Misery Index (rank #6 most miserable).
2021audited 10-K figures (complete population)
Holding-company level income.
In 2021, American scored 72.7/100 on the Row30 Hypocrisy Index (lobbying spend x passenger fees x operational misery), ranking #3.
2021composite index; components published alongside
Complaint dimension currently proxied by misery index pending DOT ATCR ingestion.
In 2021, American spent $7.26M on federal lobbying while collecting $1252.0M in baggage and change fees — $172.0 in fees for every lobbying dollar.
2021complete-population disclosures (LDA filings + Form 41)
Lobbying totals include all issues, not only aviation; LDA data as-retrieved (Senate cannot vouch post-retrieval).

Cancellations and delays

In 2024, American cancelled 1.55% of its 984306 tracked flights (95% CI ±0.024 pts), ranking 10 of 15 carriers for cancellations.
2024n=984306 flights; binomial 95% CI ±0.024 pts
Reporting carriers only (DOT threshold); operating-carrier attribution.
In 2024, 26.2% of American flights arrived 15+ minutes late (n=984306 flights).
2024n=984306 flights
Reporting carriers only.
In 2023, American cancelled 1.06% of its 940531 tracked flights (95% CI ±0.021 pts), ranking 10 of 15 carriers for cancellations.
2023n=940531 flights; binomial 95% CI ±0.021 pts
Reporting carriers only (DOT threshold); operating-carrier attribution.
In 2023, 23.1% of American flights arrived 15+ minutes late (n=940531 flights).
2023n=940531 flights
Reporting carriers only.
In 2022, 22.6% of American flights arrived 15+ minutes late (n=874145 flights).
2022n=874145 flights
Reporting carriers only.
In 2022, American cancelled 2.96% of its 874145 tracked flights (95% CI ±0.036 pts), ranking 9 of 17 carriers for cancellations.
2022n=874145 flights; binomial 95% CI ±0.036 pts
Reporting carriers only (DOT threshold); operating-carrier attribution.
In 2021, 17.4% of American flights arrived 15+ minutes late (n=736399 flights).
2021n=736399 flights
Reporting carriers only.
In 2021, American cancelled 2.24% of its 736399 tracked flights (95% CI ±0.034 pts), ranking 4 of 17 carriers for cancellations.
2021n=736399 flights; binomial 95% CI ±0.034 pts
Reporting carriers only (DOT threshold); operating-carrier attribution.
In 2020, American cancelled 6.01% of its 569806 tracked flights (95% CI ±0.062 pts), ranking 6 of 16 carriers for cancellations.
2020n=569806 flights; binomial 95% CI ±0.062 pts
Reporting carriers only (DOT threshold); operating-carrier attribution.
In 2020, 11.0% of American flights arrived 15+ minutes late (n=569806 flights).
2020n=569806 flights
Reporting carriers only.
In 2019, American cancelled 2.13% of its 946776 tracked flights (95% CI ±0.029 pts), ranking 6 of 16 carriers for cancellations.
2019n=946776 flights; binomial 95% CI ±0.029 pts
Reporting carriers only (DOT threshold); operating-carrier attribution.
In 2019, 21.2% of American flights arrived 15+ minutes late (n=946776 flights).
2019n=946776 flights
Reporting carriers only.

Report card

The 2024 Row30 Airline Report Card grades American F (31.1/100): reliability 24.6, baggage -0.0, fees 68.6.
2024composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2023 Row30 Airline Report Card grades American D (44.3/100): reliability 57.5, baggage 0.0, fees 75.5.
2023composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2022 Row30 Airline Report Card grades American D (40.6/100): reliability 48.7, baggage 0.0, fees 73.0.
2022composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2021 Row30 Airline Report Card grades American D (45.0/100): reliability 47.1, baggage 0.0, fees 58.7.
2021composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2020 Row30 Airline Report Card grades American F (38.0/100): reliability 67.5, baggage 0.0, fees 46.6.
2020composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2019 Row30 Airline Report Card grades American F (22.4/100): reliability 30.8, baggage 0.0, fees 36.4.
2019composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2018 Row30 Airline Report Card grades American F (38.7/100): reliability 42.6, baggage n/a, fees 34.9.
2018composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2017 Row30 Airline Report Card grades American D (44.6/100): reliability 59.1, baggage n/a, fees 30.2.
2017composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2016 Row30 Airline Report Card grades American F (33.2/100): reliability 35.5, baggage n/a, fees 31.0.
2016composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2015 Row30 Airline Report Card grades American F (30.0/100): reliability 42.1, baggage n/a, fees 17.9.
2015composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2014 Row30 Airline Report Card grades American F (18.5/100): reliability 37.0, baggage n/a, fees 0.0.
2014composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.
The 2013 Row30 Airline Report Card grades American F (18.2/100): reliability 28.8, baggage n/a, fees 7.7.
2013composite of official DOT metrics; sub-scores published
Transparent composite, not an endorsement; sparse bumping data in some years.

Policy churn

The Internet Archive captured 71 distinct versions of American's tracked policy/fine-print pages in 2026 (23.7 versions per page).
2026distinct content digests (change ceiling incl. redesigns)
Digest changes include cosmetic redesigns, not only policy substance.
The Internet Archive captured 170 distinct versions of American's tracked policy/fine-print pages in 2025 (56.7 versions per page).
2025distinct content digests (change ceiling incl. redesigns)
Digest changes include cosmetic redesigns, not only policy substance.
The Internet Archive captured 289 distinct versions of American's tracked policy/fine-print pages in 2024 (96.3 versions per page).
2024distinct content digests (change ceiling incl. redesigns)
Digest changes include cosmetic redesigns, not only policy substance.
The Internet Archive captured 320 distinct versions of American's tracked policy/fine-print pages in 2023 (106.7 versions per page).
2023distinct content digests (change ceiling incl. redesigns)
Digest changes include cosmetic redesigns, not only policy substance.
The Internet Archive captured 145 distinct versions of American's tracked policy/fine-print pages in 2022 (48.3 versions per page).
2022distinct content digests (change ceiling incl. redesigns)
Digest changes include cosmetic redesigns, not only policy substance.
The Internet Archive captured 164 distinct versions of American's tracked policy/fine-print pages in 2021 (54.7 versions per page).
2021distinct content digests (change ceiling incl. redesigns)
Digest changes include cosmetic redesigns, not only policy substance.
The Internet Archive captured 296 distinct versions of American's tracked policy/fine-print pages in 2020 (98.7 versions per page).
2020distinct content digests (change ceiling incl. redesigns)
Digest changes include cosmetic redesigns, not only policy substance.
The Internet Archive captured 51 distinct versions of American's tracked policy/fine-print pages in 2019 (17.0 versions per page).
2019distinct content digests (change ceiling incl. redesigns)
Digest changes include cosmetic redesigns, not only policy substance.
The Internet Archive captured 17 distinct versions of American's tracked policy/fine-print pages in 2018 (5.7 versions per page).
2018distinct content digests (change ceiling incl. redesigns)
Digest changes include cosmetic redesigns, not only policy substance.
The Internet Archive captured 40 distinct versions of American's tracked policy/fine-print pages in 2017 (13.3 versions per page).
2017distinct content digests (change ceiling incl. redesigns)
Digest changes include cosmetic redesigns, not only policy substance.

Public attention

As of 2026-07, 40.5% of Google's own autocomplete suggestions about American are negative (45 of 111) — including "american airlines cancelled".
2026-07census of returned suggestions at snapshot date
Suggestions vary by time and geography; editorial/research use with as-of date.
In 2025-01, American drew 1.53x its normal Wikipedia attention (135216 views) with press tone -2.535 across 21152 articles.
2025-01attention ratio vs airline's own median month
Tone from GDELT V2 (global English-language news).
In 2019-09, American drew 1.23x its normal Wikipedia attention (108902 views) with press tone -3.375 across 11342 articles, while cancelling 1.46% of flights.
2019-09attention ratio vs airline's own median month
Tone from GDELT V2 (global English-language news).

Denied boarding

In 2021, American Airlines Inc. involuntarily denied boarding to 2060 passengers (0.188 per 10,000 boarded), paying $35266 in compensation.
2021complete DOT-reported population

What this scorecard does not tell you

Cancellation and delay rates are not directly comparable between carriers. Route networks differ, and so does the weather they fly through.
An average delay figure is computed across delayed flights only, so a carrier that cancels its worst flights can look better on that measure. Read any delay average next to the cancellation rate.
Regional flights sold under this airline’s code may be operated by a different carrier. Since 2018 they are attributed to the marketing carrier, which is the code on your ticket.
These are counts and rates, not explanations. We have not tested why any figure moved.

Nothing here tells you what you are owed. That depends on the rule for your situation, which is on the passenger rights pages.

Row30 provides data journalism and education, not legal advice. We are not a law firm and do not represent passengers in legal proceedings. For advice about your own situation, consult an attorney.

Source: Google autocomplete suggestions as of 2026-07, collected and classified by Row30.

Source: Internet Archive Wayback Machine captures; analysis by Row30.

Source: Row30 Airline Report Card, computed from U.S. DOT BTS data (On-Time, Form 41, baggage, denied boarding).

Source: U.S. DOT Air Travel Consumer Report denied boarding data; analysis by Row30.

Source: U.S. DOT Bureau of Transportation Statistics, Airline On-Time Performance; analysis by Row30.

Source: U.S. DOT Form 41 financials via Bureau of Transportation Statistics; analysis by Row30.

Sources: SEC EDGAR company filings; U.S. DOT BTS; analysis by Row30.

Sources: U.S. Senate LDA; U.S. DOT Form 41 + On-Time Performance via BTS; analysis by Row30.

Sources: U.S. Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act database; U.S. DOT Form 41 via BTS; analysis by Row30.

Sources: Wikimedia pageviews; GDELT Project; U.S. DOT BTS; analysis by Row30.