Heroes
Honoring American heroes
American Airlines has a long history of honoring and supporting those who have committed their lives to serving in the United States Armed Forces. We do this through sponsoring various military nonprofit organizations and utilizing our fleet of aircraft for special missions. These unique missions are ones that support veterans, those who are wounded, ill or hospitalized, families of those who currently serve and the Gold Star families of those who have died in service to our nation.
Flagship Valor™
Flagship Valor™ is an Airbus A321 aircraft that incorporates the 3 variations of the Medal of Honor into the design. It's a flying tribute to those whose brave actions are worthy of the prestigious Medal of Honor, and all those whose military service allows us to fly freely around the world.
'Flagship' is the finest, largest or most important one of a group. American Airlines has used 'Flagship' when naming planes dating back to the 1930s. Among the many important symbols, this aircraft features 13 stars, symbolizing the original 13 colonies of the United States, and light blue, the symbolic color of valor.
Plane symbols and their meaning
Medals of Honor
The 3 variations of the Medal of Honor represent servicemembers of the Army, Air Force and Navy. Members of the U.S. Marine Corps and Coast Guard receive the Navy Medal, and members of the Space Force receive the Air Force Medal.
Recipient traits
These 6 words exemplify Medal of Honor Recipients and the acts that made them elite: Courage, Sacrifice, Integrity, Commitment, Patriotism and Citizenship. Recipients teach these key principles to teach future generations.
Major conflicts
The silhouettes represent the 7 major conflicts during which the Medal of Honor recipients fought, including the Civil War, Vietnam and Afghanistan, which is portrayed with the famous Horse Soldier.
About the Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor was created in 1861 by President Abraham Lincoln and is our nation’s highest and rarest military honor. The president bestows it in the name of Congress upon members of the United States Armed forces.
National partners
Together with our partners, we look for ways – big and small – to thank military members for their service.
Gary Sinise Foundation
The Gary Sinise Foundation honors active-duty military, veterans, first responders and their families with programs that entertain, educate, strengthen and build communities.
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George W. Bush Institute
The Bush Institute's Military Service Initiative aims to ensure the health and well-being of post-9/11 veterans and their families, helping them make successful transitions to civilian life.
Medal of Honor Foundation
The Medal of Honor Foundation provides financial support of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, the only organization chartered by Congress to support the work and legacy of Medal Recipients.
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Donate
Miles for Heroes
Miles for Heroes assists organizations that work to support veterans, military members and their families.
- Minimum donation of 1,000 miles required. Members who have an available balance of less than 1,000 miles may donate their entire balance. Your donation is not tax deductible. Processing can take up to 48 hours.
- American Airlines reserves the right to determine the final use of miles within the guidelines of the Miles for Social Good, Miles for Global Health and Well-Being, and Miles for Heroes programs.