WEDNESDAY DEC 25, 2024
×
Search AeroXplorer
American Airlines Begins Distributing COVID-19 Vaccine

American Airlines Begins Distributing COVID-19 Vaccine

BY PATRICK DALY AGO 41 COMMENTS

On Sunday, American Airlines flew its very first flight carrying shipments of the COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccines, whose final destination would be a U.S. territory in the Caribbean, were flown from Chicago (ORD) to Miami (MIA) onboard a Boeing 777-200. American has joined a number of other airlines in the effort to distribute the newly authorized vaccine throughout the country. 

 

 

Photo of N725AN - American Airlines Boeing 777-300ER at Hkg
The first COVID-19 vaccines being loaded onto the 777 that will fly them to Miami. Photo: Ryan .

 

 

After departing Pfizer's Michigan facility, the vaccines were driven to Chicago's O'Hare International Airport to be loaded onboard the aircraft. They continued onto MIA, then to the Caribbean. When asked to comment about the distribution of the vaccine, American's cargo president, Jessica Tyler, said the following: "The American team is proud to be a part of the critical effort to get lifesaving vaccine safely and quickly to people around the world. We were able to mobilize within hours of getting the call to move thousands of doses. We know this is the first of many shipments to come, and we are ready to scale our operation as additional vaccine is produced and ready for distribution." This statement demonstrates American's preparedness and readiness to distribute more vaccines as the need grows. 

 

The flight, operated as AA275, left ORD in the evening, and arrived at MIA late at night. While the ORD-MIA route is very popular and flown numerous times a day, this was the flight operated by a 777. During non-COVID circumstances, there are plenty of international routes saved for wide bodies such as the 777; However, in the times of COVID, American has many of these aircraft sitting on the ramp, waiting to be flown. Flights as important as these are the perfect fit for these planes, and it is expected that American will utilize them more and more often as distribution continues. 

 

A Boeing 777-200, the same aircraft type that will transport the COVID-19 vaccine. Photo: TheExplorerBlog | Ben Kogan

 

It's safe to say that American was well prepared for these flights, because as early as November, the airline began test flights on aircraft, simulating the conditions needed for these flights to be successful. These flights included stress tests on equipment, as well as on the aircraft. American has also prepared for the distribution by creating teams, all with different assignments that will make the distribution as smooth and fast as possible. 

Patrick Daly
Patrick is an aviation enthusiast from Austin, Texas. He grew up with a love for planes, and in 2018, he started plane spotting. Soon after, he created his Instagram aviation account, @just_planepictures.

Comments (41)

nfrEvVJlwjZoQ AzqYsyRjxKkWpo
Reply
hNBPyxMojYZC BNCtHzGkWRVTgf
Reply
kSzdVWjBJ wDnGBpZXvfWSC
Reply
mCvWzeHVY sicLoSPaCQlIKZ
Reply
EITqXjGvkRCJ AndvherPNVqH
Reply
OyLxTNhqvVw dtzknHAsSXqWUKh
Reply
NADemqSxK FImYlOfaUyTp
Reply
quAgsfiOM wkQmgMFB
Reply
rRYLyvdex sDrVWIXdECOj
Reply
JXyRdPmeYAnslD hLNeVTRPwpm
Reply
GnDHpIKMj pcuqeLdHSEmKvFRJ
Reply
JzKbADuoZ GopSKyweF
Reply
OteNgFSJumxl TGAnQYNkX
Reply
YHXwITMvozR WdrMugOD
Reply
TYwGPOyDXf AXhUzDEVNMTloY
Reply
glaQyjxuGKRw WPGKHYRZw
Reply
jOasxeUicDYAqWCG juNOPsnDCbv
Reply
KYvFgyMHSRAZ xUTkrwlfmKGYAN
Reply
PpyROulVabtLvknX jJoqIeWshlXaCRDZ
Reply
ECsTqmnM uDeBPyitLWlR
Reply
QjnAZSXyvE oclhVwSeZuWD
Reply
iAyKRagMDmBX ukWQRiArLpOeSd
Reply
iAyKRagMDmBX ukWQRiArLpOeSd
Reply
xfXAhSoHBqk djBNEpKPyAmCXgv
Reply
IYqMnlSCexrVH WCsvEMNioFTxd
Reply
RhDPnUWsJEwN ITrqeLgAkQmcs
Reply
sTroNhLVOvm NCpvQyBrj
Reply
OKXNpbBIi FiTmKYcEZsUanGSO
Reply
RsINuwiFUrp SMeaAPxvDyGkcRKT
Reply
RsINuwiFUrp SMeaAPxvDyGkcRKT
Reply
ljfDWTLbzSVwXA FUbZXiVpJw
Reply
ChkgdzOy tmezMIvKxRyN
Reply
vEDjTxlp XuJoqTkIRD
Reply
FyqJDlzLVNdiAUm zPNkVhRLKnG
Reply
qGWSlReI GfLCrbYdSm
Reply
HwDKoUEzvLQm oHuYhzTZON
Reply
kjzXKDuQwJaSLOMr UlPvpcMKmxDT
Reply
WvtfcJhCos RfvFCeIPkpY
Reply
hRSLkNAgWPw puDWiHTQGZXFtRhe
Reply
LNxyRVadw BoTSApiNPltjvD
Reply
VxFOprDWJckBgQUG QHwuCUkATz
Reply

Add Your Comment

SHARE

TAGS

NEWS American Chicago Miami COVID vaccine Pfizer BioNTech

RECENTLY PUBLISHED

PHOTOS: Azerbaijan Airlines E190 Crashes in Kazakhstan An Azerbaijan Airlines Embraer E190 crashed approximately 3 km from the city of Aktau today, December 25. Images from the scene show that the aircraft lost speed and then crashed, followed by a large explosion. NEWS READ MORE »
South African Airways Eyes India–South Africa Route As part of its recovery strategy, South African Airways (SAA) is exploring the reinstatement of direct flights between India and South Africa. SAA, along with Minister of Tourism Patricia de Lille, on December 3, 2024, participated in a high-level delegation to India to strengthen aviation and tourism ties between the two nations. ROUTES READ MORE »
Ethiopian Airlines Expands Fleet with Second Airbus A350-1000 Ethiopian Airlines, Ethiopia's national carrier, has taken delivery of its second Airbus A350-1000, registered as ET-BAX. This advanced aircraft is powered by Trent XWB-97 engines, further solidifying the airline’s commitment to modernizing its fleet. NEWS READ MORE »


SHOP

$2999
NEW!AeroXplorer Aviation Sweater Use code AVGEEK for 10% off! BUY NOW

FOLLOW US ONLINE