![]()
FORT WORTH, Texas — Every day, American Airlines cares for customers on a
variety of journeys. From life’s joys to life’s challenges, American is proud
to serve people no matter the reason they need to travel — including for
medical care. That’s why the airline is proud to partner with Mercy Medical
Angels, a nationwide nonprofit organization that helps patients travel to
medical appointments and treatments by providing transportation assistance.
Through this partnership, donated miles power flights for patients unable to
afford the cost of travel to receive care.
“At American, we understand that access to care can be lifechanging,” said
American’s Director of Partnerships and Community Griffin Gonzalez. “The
generosity of our AAdvantage® members demonstrates the meaningful
impact we can make when we come together to support others. Their
contributions help give patients and families hope during some of life’s most
critical moments.”
Erika and her mother after arriving in Houston from Honduras to receive specialized care.
Recently, one such journey brought 10-year-old Erika and her mother from
Honduras to Houston. Erika was born with a complex congenital heart defect that
made even simple activities a challenge. HeartGift (heartgift.org), a global
organization providing free, life-saving heart surgery to children who lack
access to specialized care, reached out to Mercy Medical Angels for
transportation assistance.
With donated miles, Mercy Medical Angels was able to get Erika and her
mother to Houston for lifesaving heart surgery.
“Transportation is often one of the biggest obstacles standing between
patients and the care they need,” said Rear Admiral J.B. Godwin III, U.S.
Navy (Retired), President and CEO at Mercy Medical Angels. “Our partnership
with American Airlines helps remove those barriers, ensuring patients can
focus on their health – not how they’ll get there.”
Through American’s Let Good Take Flight platform, AAdvantage®
members are encouraged to donate miles to make a meaningful difference in
their communities. These miles support American’s community impact efforts
across the following areas:
- Global Health and Well Being: Raising awareness and
funds, bringing treatments and hope to patients
- Social Good: Improving stability and providing basic
needs to global citizens, especially during disasters
- Heroes: Supporting U.S. military members and veterans
honoring their selfless sacrifice
- Our Planet: Protecting and preserving the planet’s
natural resources and contributing meaningfully to efforts to combat
climate change
With support from AAdvantage® members, combined with the strength
of the airline’s global network and team, American is committed to fighting
diseases that impact the health and wellness of its customers and team members.
This includes raising awareness, funds, and in some cases, removing
transportation barriers by connecting patients to medical care to ensure access
to lifesaving treatment when it matters most.
Donating is simple. AAdvantage® members can log in to their
account, navigate to the Donate page and select the number of
AAdvantage® miles they wish to contribute.* Members can select as
few as 1,000 miles to help support those who need it most.
Not an AAdvantage® member? Joining is easy and free at aa.com/aadvantage.
*Minimum donation is 1,000 miles, except for members who have an available
balance of less than 1,000 miles, who may donate their entire balance.
Donations are 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, Miles for Heroes and Miles for Our Planet programs.
About American Airlines Group (NASDAQ: AAL)
American Airlines is a premium global airline connecting more of the U.S. to
the world. With roots tracing back to an air mail carrier in the Midwestern
United States in 1926, American now operates more than 6,000 daily flights to
more than 350 destinations in more than 60 countries and serves more than 200
million customers annually. Powered by a proud and talented team of 130,000
aviation professionals, American’s team lives out the airline’s purpose of
caring for people on life’s journey every day.
The world’s largest airline proudly celebrates its centennial year in 2026,
reaching a milestone that reflects a century of innovation and the Forever
ForwardSM spirit that changed the industry and the world. American
introduced the first scheduled air cargo service, the first airport lounge and
the first airline loyalty program and continues to reinvent the customer
experience today. The airline is also a founding member of the
oneworld alliance, whose members serve more than 900
destinations around the globe.
About Mercy Medical Angels
For 51 years, Mercy Medical Angels has been the nation’s largest provider of
charitable transportation for low-income patients to reach their critical
medical treatments. Mercy Medical Angels mission is to remove the barrier to
medical care with transportation on the ground and in the air. MMA helps
children, cancer patients, seniors, Veterans and their families with free gas
cards, bus, and train tickets, and with flights flown by Volunteer pilots and
the commercial airlines.