The Center for Business Analytics is pleased to recognize American Airlines as an honoree of the 2023 Drexel LeBow Analytics 50 Awards. Read more about how American Airlines used analytics to solve a business challenge.
Submitter
Ganesh Jayaram, PhD, Chief Digital and Information Officer
Company
American Airlines
Industry
Aviation
Business Challenge
In the immediate aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, airlines across the globe experienced an extraordinary number of flight delays and cancellations. Exacerbating the problem is a record shortage of airline staff, particularly within the ranks of pilots and air traffic controllers, and increased instances of extreme weather.
Analytics Solution
American Airlines partnered with Microsoft, moving its data to Azure’s cloud platform; implementing data hubs and frameworks; and employing artificial intelligence, machine learning and data analytics to every aspect of its operations. This data transformation has helped American Airlines develop a deeper understanding of how issues impacted the airline in the past and how it can best overcome those same issues as they occur in the present.
Impact
By centralizing its data into one central location on Azure, American Airlines will increase efficiency and decrease costs. While in the past it took weeks to absorb new data sources, these data systems allow real-time data from throughout the airline to be utilized for improving customer and operational outcomes in hours. The technology has also reduced the need for manual involvement from airline workers. For example, an intelligent gating program at the airline’s Dallas-Fort Worth hub provides real-time analysis of routing and runway information. The program automatically assigns the nearest available gate to arriving aircraft, lowering costs by reducing taxi time, thus saving jet fuel.