November 29, 2011

Dear Valued Travel Partner,

As you may know, American Airlines today took a necessary and responsible step to secure the future success of our company by filing for reorganization under Chapter 11. We took this action in order to become a more efficient, financially stronger, and competitive airline that is even better positioned to deliver for customers and the communities we serve. It will be business as usual at American during the Chapter 11 process.

In recent years, we have built the foundation for our future growth and long-term success. We strengthened our domestic and global network; fortified our alliances with the best partners around the world; launched a transformational fleet deal that will give us the youngest and most efficient fleet in the industry; and invested in our product, service and technology to build a world class customer experience.

However, to capitalize on these foundational strengths, we must address our very substantial cost disadvantage compared to our larger competitors, all of which restructured their costs and debt through Chapter 11. We are committed to working as quickly and efficiently as possible to appropriately restructure American Airlines so that we can emerge well-positioned to compete effectively in the marketplace for the long-term.

The Chapter 11 process lets us continue normal business operations while we restructure our debt, costs and other obligations. American’s $4.1 billion in unrestricted cash and short-term investments, as well as cash generated from operations, is anticipated to be more than sufficient to assure that all vendors, suppliers, and business partners will be paid timely and in full for goods and services they provide us during the Chapter 11 process in accordance with customary terms.

Our relationship with you is paramount to us, and we look forward to continuing it well into the future. Please be assured that our sales agreement with you remains in full effect.

During the reorganization, American Airlines will also continue to:

• Provide safe and reliable service. Our customers remain our top priority and will continue to enjoy the quality service they know and expect from us.
• Operate our regular flight schedule. There are no immediate changes to our service or schedules as a result of the Chapter 11 filing. We intend to maintain a strong presence in domestic and international markets, including our cornerstones in Dallas/Fort Worth, Chicago, New York, Miami and Los Angeles, while using the flexibility of our fleet renewal program to remove less-efficient aircraft in our fleet.
• Honor tickets and reservations as usual. Policies regarding exchanges and refunds remain the same.
• Maintain the AAdvantage program and ensure all miles and elite status earned by members remain secure and intact.
• Remain an integral member of the oneworld Alliance, of which American is a founding member, and continue our relationship with our codeshare partners.

If you have any questions about the reorganization process, please contact your American Airlines sales representative. Further information can also be found at AA.com/restructuring.

American Airlines has a proud history, and we will have a successful future. Through this process, we will enhance our reputation as a global leader known for excellence and innovation, a travel partner customers seek out, and a carrier that serves communities throughout the world. All of us on the American team appreciate your support, loyalty and business, and look forward to continuing to strengthen our relationship well into the future.

Best regards,
Derek DeCross
Vice President – Global Sales

Travelers looking for bargains should look towards Latin America. Like our Guatemala Classico trip 6-days for $795

Cotopaxi Trekking Ecuador
7-days for $950
Hike in the shadows of the Cotopaxi Volcano and follow the ancient roads of the Incas during our 5 day/4 night trekking trip. Experience the hacienda culture of the Andean highlands and explore Inca sites during an active trekking circuit near the Cotopaxi National Park and in the Condor Biosphere. Includes two nights in Quito before and after the trek.

Bolivia’s Jesuit Missions
5-days at $770
Thought to be “forgotten” for more than two centuries, the region of Bolivia’s restored Jesuit Missions is a UNESCO-listed World Heritage site for its cultural accomplishments and history. Includes San Javier, Concepcion, San Ignacio, San Miguel, San Rafael, and Santa Ana.

Awesome Argentina
8-days for $1525
Travel through the southern reaches of Argentina, taking in the highlights of Patagonia. Includes Buenos Aires, Ushuaia, Beagle Channel, Gable Island, Tierra del Fuego, Parque Nacional Los Glaciares, El Calafate and hiking on Perito Moreno Glacier.

Guatemala Classico
6-days for $795
A great introduction to Guatemala, this trip visits the celebrated market of Chichicastenango and explores the inviting colonial city of Antigua. Spend the next couple nights along the beautiful shores of volcano-fringed Lake Atitlan.

For more Latin America bargains, take a look at our ongoing and special discounts available and upcoming trips.

With the help of seasoned travelers, journalists, and local experts, Traveler discovers properties that exhibit strong local color, authenticity, a sustainability ethic, and community involvement. Further research narrows the list down to our very best picks—places you can count on for a great overnight (and cultural) experience.

Here are a few details on just why these accommodations made the list.

The Madidi River -- Enroute to the Bolivian Amazon's Chalalan Lodge

EcoCamp in Torres del Paine National Park

Ecuador's Sacha Lodge makes National Geographic Travelers 2011 Stay List

EcoCamp
EcoCamp is designed to expose travelers to nature as in a camp tent but with the comfort and sophistication of a four star hotel. The structure is built to interfere as little as possible with the surrounding Torres del Paine environment, and to take full advantage of the site. EcoCamp gives sight to the park’s granite pillars right from the dining room and from many dormitory domes. Here the environment is the star. Travelers come very far to be outdoors in the park, so indoor amenities are as little as possible to encourage as much time outdoors as possible exploring the trails of Torres del Paine. The maximum capacity will be 30 guests so the feeling of intimacy, the idea of being in a Nomadic convoy in a remote environment will be kept even if the EcoCamp is full.

Sacha Lodge
Sacha has long recognized how rich and rare its surrounding environment is – and has designed a number of structures to highlight the region. This includes its kapok tower; this 135-foot tower is situated on a hill and constructed around a giant kapok tree for stability. This tower allows guests another opportunity to climb into and above the rainforest canopy. And its recent 940-foot (275-meter) long canopy walkway – at approximately 94 feet (30 meters) above the ground – is exclusive to the lodge. While at Sacha, travelers paddle dugout canoes along blackwater creeks and lakes; swim with piranha; take night walks and canoe trips in search of caiman and other nocturnal creatures. This is the Amazon – and Sacha is designed educate and immerse travelers in the jungle during the day, and relax in comfort at night.

National Geographic Traveler definitely has some nice things to say about Chalalan, Sacha, and EcoCamp (and we certainly share their sentiments) — but how about a few recommendations directly from the source. Here’s just a few things our travelers are saying about their time at these lodges.

What our travelers are saying about Chalalan:
“The Chalalan Lodge experience is just fantastic. Madidi Park is everyone’s dream of a rainforest-lush, beautiful, and filled with wildlife. Everyone at the lodge was super. Ricoberto, our guide, was knowledgeable, friendly, and enthusiastic. The meals were delicious and the service was great. Every time I got back from a hike someone was waiting to greet me with a glass of cold lemonade. This was a fabulous tour!” – Kathy R.

What our travelers are saying about EcoCamp:
“Our EcoCamp dome was beyond our wildest dreams – wood floors, a comfy king-sized bed, floor to ceiling windows, a spacious bathroom – all the comforts of home with none of the environmental impact. After settling in, we headed back to the main dome where we were to have all our meals. Our first night, a delicious steamed salmon for dinner awaited, wine…plus good conversation with new friends. We agreed right then and there that life just doesn’t get much better.” – Jesson B.

What our travelers are saying about Sacha Lodge:
“I can’t tell you how impressed we were with the facilities. I constantly found myself thinking about how much it must take to maintain the place which essentially sits on stilts above the water and mud. Our guides, David and Poncho were excellent. Their knowledge is extensive and I am still amazed at their ability to spot wildlife in the jungle. On the evening of our arrival, Sacha hosted its once weekly barbecue at the boathouse. The food was delicious! All of the mysterious and fascinating sounds of the jungle could be heard right out of the windows of our cabin. What an experience!” – Charles A.

Adventure Life's Andean Multisport featured in Outside Magazine's 2011 Best Trips Issue

Want to go?

Adventure Life Bolivia Trip honored as a Tour of a Lifetime

Kicking off with Carnaval de Oruro, Bolivia’s most spectacular festival, this journey immerses you in local rituals that are still part of everyday life, such as baking bread in a traditional adobe oven at a working hacienda and shopping at the Tarabuco Market, where even the younger generation dons traditional ponchos, sandals, and headgear. There’s action, too: Explore the salt desert and cap your trip with a climb up the 16,500-foot volcano Tunupa.

A highlight of this trip is the Oruro Festival; a sensational event. The folklore festival finds its roots in Christian traditions and indigenous myths and deities. The festival celebrates the triumph of good over evil displayed in the form of dances and music. Each costume, each gesture, each character, color, and movement are symbolic in this carnival. This thirteen day trip also includes time in La Paz, Sucre, Tarabuco Market, Hacienda Candelaria, Potosi and the spectacular Salt Desert of Uyuni.

Adventure Life's moms keep up their travels -- Mary takes the Twins to Africa

Marissa takes Carter to Costa Rica and Panama

Beth takes Faye on a Peru adventure

Since Adventure Life beginnings in early 1999, we’ve had a stream of charming babies set up shop with mom or pop — 4 bouncing babies boys, and one delightful little girl. And, with the recent arrival of twins, we’re looking forward to two more tiny bundles to show up in May when Mom, Mary, returns back to the office.

Parenting in the Workplace Institute, and Babies in the Workplace are sister organizations that are “dedicated to providing support, resources and objective analysis of parenting in the workplace programs.” They have compiled a list of roughly 140 baby-friendly companies in the nation — including Adventure Life. This NGO also provides great resources whether you’re an employer or employee, the benefits of going baby-friendly, and great advice on making it work. For us, we’ve discovered what works and what doesn’t. Example: Designated baby zones = works. Inflexibility and cookie-cutter expectations = doesn’t.

As a mother of three and Adventure Life staff member, I can personally tell you how much I have appreciated this perk. My youngest two have joined me at the office — and this policy provided me with such an unbelievable amount of relief to the countless anxieties that face a new mother returning back to work. Makes me proud to boast a little about it in our blog…

Adventure Life recognized by Outside as a Best Place to Work

These 50 companies come from a vast array of industries but they’re all following the same enlightened path. They’re successful businesses in a challenging economy precisely because they support a proper work-life balance. They know that benefits like on-site gyms and fitness classes, reimbursements for ski passes and sports racing fees, and support for community service efforts during work hours make their employees happier and thus more productive.

That’s us!

Outside’s “Best Places to Work” list was compiled with the help of the Outdoor Industry Association and Best Companies. The year-long selection process began with an outreach effort that identified a wide range of non-profit and for-profit organizations with at least 15 employees working in the United States. Adventure Life has 18 employees in our Missoula, Montana office. All participating companies were then sent confidential employee-satisfaction surveys and employer-questionnaires to collect information about benefits, compensation, policies, job satisfaction, environmental initiatives, and community outreach programs. Results were analyzed by Best Companies Group experts, who selected the 50 companies that strive to enhance their employees’ enjoyment of active endeavors, and environmental and social involvement.

Details will be in Outside’s May issue – to hit stands April 20th. Until then, check out last year’s write-up about Adventure Life and the other companies inspiring others to aim for the best.

Approaching the remote La Selva Lodge - Ecuadorian Amazon

Missoula, Montana ecotourism specialists Adventure Life are currently offering an awesome 75% discount on their September 2009 La Selva Lodge Ecuadorian Amazon tours. Even in today’s tough economic climate, this deal makes Amazon jungle explorations more affordable than ever.

Travelers reserving space on Adventure Life’s La Selva Lodge – Ecuadorian Amazon tours departing in September 2009 at the regular price of $1,045 can save $800 on the cost of a second traveler when sharing accommodations. That means the second traveler can experience the Ecuadorian Amazon for only $245, a 75% savings!

To read the entire feature, click here!

Machu Picchu may have been less of a city, than a spiritual destination for the Inca. New research argues the ceremonial path into the city was conceived as a replica of the path followed by the first Incas in cosmological myth.