Let Good Take Flight

American Airlines operates with a mission to care for people on life's journey, and this commitment extends into the communities where its employees and customers live and work. Through its "Let Good Take Flight" initiative, American Airlines supports nonprofit organizations that serve children, local communities, and military service members. The company contributes in three primary ways: in-kind donations, employee volunteerism, and limited monetary support. In-kind support typically consists of AAdvantage® mileage certificates, while monetary contributions are selectively awarded to qualifying nonprofit entities. The scope of American Airlines' funding is geographically targeted. Only 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that are registered and operate within specific counties are eligible to apply. These include counties in key hub regions such as Charlotte (Mecklenburg County), Chicago (Cook, Lake, DuPage, Will, Kane, McHenry), Dallas/Fort Worth (Dallas, Tarrant), Los Angeles (Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Ventura, San Bernardino), Miami (Miami-Dade, Monroe, Broward, Collier), New York (Suffolk, Nassau, all five NYC boroughs, Rockland, Westchester), Philadelphia (Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, Philadelphia), Phoenix (Maricopa), Tulsa (Tulsa), and Washington, D.C. (Alexandria, Arlington, District of Columbia, Montgomery). The guidelines impose strict restrictions on what types of organizations are eligible. Ineligible applicants include auxiliary or fraternal groups, business associations, grant-making foundations, national nonprofits, organizations primarily funded by government sources, and entities that advocate for issue-based agendas. Additionally, American Airlines does not provide support to religious or denominational organizations, schools or their affiliated groups, recreational or sports programs, and start-up nonprofits (defined as those with IRS status granted less than three years prior). These exclusions are based on the organization’s IRS NTEE code and mission alignment with American's priorities. American Airlines' support cannot be used for specific purposes such as endowments, capital campaigns, conferences, competitions, status upgrades, or debt reduction. It also does not fund programs or events occurring in the current quarter, or cover costs related to baggage, cargo space, or video production. Rather, its contributions are designed to amplify nonprofit efforts that directly improve the lives of children, families, and veterans in their key operational regions. Applicants are not given a public deadline or application portal in the provided materials, and it is implied that support is provided on a rolling basis, likely requiring direct contact or proposal submission during open cycles. No formal application components, timeline stages (such as LOIs or award dates), or evaluation criteria were included in the source materials. Likewise, no contact person, email, or phone was specified. Organizations must ensure their alignment with geographic and mission-based criteria before applying, and the absence of a formal application cycle suggests that decisions may be made internally and based on ongoing review. Overall, American Airlines’ philanthropic approach is community-focused and localized, aiming to uplift populations where the company has a strong presence. The guidelines reflect an interest in strategic giving that maximizes impact and maintains close alignment with corporate values, while also narrowing eligibility to ensure efforts are well-targeted and consistent.