The Surprising Story of American Airlines' Pilot Trading Cards

American Airlines and Its Pilot Trading Cards

American Airlines has finally joined the ranks of airlines offering pilot trading cards, marking a significant shift for a company that previously did not have this feature. The introduction of these cards was driven by the pilots' union, not management.

Airlines like Delta, United, Alaska, Spirit, and Frontier have long embraced trading cards. Delta leads the pack with plans to issue 3 million cards in 2024 and 5 million in 2025, boasting an impressive variety of 68 different card designs. United pilots have six different aircraft cards, while Alaska has returned with a collection of eight. Spirit also recently launched six new cards in February, even as the airline navigates its second bankruptcy.

The Trading Cards of American Airlines

The trading cards from American Airlines are not produced by the airline itself. The pilots' union stepped in to ensure that their members would not be left out and could meet passenger requests regarding these cards.

These cards come in various designs for collectors. The union has shared images of four cards from the collection, featuring iconic aircraft like the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Boeing 737, and Airbus A321, flying over familiar locations such as Paris and Sydney. Notably, there’s a retro-styled Boeing 777-300 card commemorating 100 years, inspired by the 'Flagship' paint scheme used on the airline's Douglas DC-3 planes over 90 years ago.

Feedback from Pilots

Some pilots have expressed dissatisfaction with the release of the new trading cards. Their complaints are not about the existence of the cards themselves but rather about the union fees associated with obtaining them. Scott Michael, one of the pilots, commented, "It feels like a waste of union dues."

However, with a relatively low cost, these cards serve as a valuable resource for pilots and a way to enhance the airline's image. This move makes sense, especially considering the airline's current revenue challenges and the need to attract more customers.

The Airline and Other Interesting Tidbits

This time, American Airlines has proactively taken a step it has long overlooked—a standard perk in the airline industry that even Spirit and Frontier have managed to implement. The previous lack of pilot trading cards at American highlighted the underlying issues the airline has been facing.

American is currently competing with Spirit and Frontier, focusing on cost-cutting rather than revenue growth, while customers are willing to spend more for better products. CEO Robert Isom's initial message to staff was to avoid unnecessary expenditures, which has led to a lack of attention to the small details that create a quality product.

How to Get Your Trading Card

While American Airlines is beginning to change, there are still many issues to address. This may not be a top priority for middle management, but it represents a small dilemma that pilots face daily. Consequently, the union intervened to highlight a point that management had overlooked.

As a passenger, I find this development exciting, not just for the collectible cards. It represents a wonderful way to encourage pilots to interact with customers and vice versa, fostering a connection between people and the airline.

United's CEO, Scott Kirby, has also emphasized in staff meetings the importance of pilots leaving the cockpit. Conversations at the gate, announcements, and notes to customers carry significant weight.

How to Request a Trading Card

The best way to request a trading card is to ask the flight attendants during boarding. They can check if you can stop by the cockpit and ask the pilots for a card. Of course, you can ask the pilots directly whenever you meet them, but having a flight attendant make the request on your behalf can help you avoid bothering them or feeling unwelcome (they may be busy or in a hurry).