Best airline: American Airlines

Latin Trade, Feb, 2004

The top-ranked airline in last year's survey has held on to its preeminent place. LATIN TRADE voters gave American Airlines, the world's largest carrier, an indisputable victory in categorizing it as the best airline operating in Latin America. For 14 years, American has offered more flights to more destinations than any other airline in the region. The behemoth carrier launched its Latin American service in 1941 when it made its first flight to Mexico. Its South American debut came in 1987 with service to Caracas.

Today, American's route system in Latin America covers 34 cities in 18 countries. The carrier maintains that it will continue its commitment to the region and, indeed, nearly 100% of the 6,200 employees in its division in the region are from Latin America.

American Airlines may be this year's winner, but its future projects indicate that it won't be resting on its laurels in the highly competitive aviation world. American is developing a large new world terminal at its Miami gateway and vows that it will keep the globe's most modern air fleet as a key force in Latin America.