American Airlines CR Smith Museum

This month, we celebrated 31 years of showcasing American Airlines history at the CR Smith Museum. Named after the innovative aviation pioneer and former President of American Airlines, Cyrus Rowlett Smith (1899-1990), the Museum opened on July 3, 1993, following a two-and-a-half-year fundraising, and building effort led by American Airlines team members. The CR Smith Museum inspires future aviation professionals of all backgrounds through its confidence-building education programs, exhibitions, and heritage collection. It provides impactful educational programs to children of all backgrounds while preserving American Airlines' heritage for the community and team members to enjoy. Among these programs is the monthly airCRAFT for ages 4 to 10 which introduces young visitors to STEM concepts through arts and crafts. The Museum has been recognized in the community; in 2022, North Texans voted the Museum Best in DFW — Gold for summer camps in Dallas-Fort Worth, and in 2021, the education programs received the Million Women Mentors Texas Stand Up For STEM award. The museum features hundreds of historical artifacts, full-scale aircraft engines, and hands-on, interactive exhibits that engage visitors of all age groups. If you’re in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, consider visiting the museum to experience these interactive exhibits! Explore our website and plan your visit today at crsmithmuseum.org.

Our final oral history celebrating Women’s History Month follows Capt. Bonnie Tiburzi Caputo, the first woman to fly for a major U.S. airline when hired by American Airlines in 1973. Not only do we celebrate Capt. Caputo, but all women in aviation who inspire future generations. Here’s to the trailblazers paving the way for young aviation professionals everywhere. If you’re in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, consider visiting the Museum to experience these inspiring legacy stories in person.

We’re celebrating #WomensHistoryMonth by unveiling two new oral history videos to the pilot kiosk in the Museum gallery. Our first story follows the first woman to earn the rank of captain at American Airlines and one of the first female captains in the United States, Capt. Beverley Bass. In 1987, she flew the inaugural all-female flight crew of pilots and flight attendants. This month and every month, we celebrate the women who have paved the way for future aviators everywhere. If you’re in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, consider visiting the Museum to experience these inspiring legacy stories in person. 

We’re celebrating #WomensHistoryMonth by unveiling two new oral history videos to the pilot kiosk in the Museum gallery. Our first story follows the first woman to earn the rank of captain at American Airlines and one of the first female captains in the United States, Capt. Beverley Bass. In 1987, she flew the inaugural all-female flight crew of pilots and flight attendants. This month and every month, we celebrate the women who have paved the way for future aviators everywhere. If you’re in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, consider visiting the Museum to experience these inspiring legacy stories in person. 

Last week, Skyline High School students had an exclusive, behind-the-scenes look at American Airlines operation as a part of our Aviation Career Pathways Program. This multi-year program designed for middle and high school students provides access to aviation STEM education and exposes students to careers within the industry. We’re thrilled to partner with DISD to provide these engagements throughout the year and inspire students with opportunities in aviation. Stay tuned for all we have in store for 2024. Learn more about the Aviation Career Pathways Program and access career resources via our website: https://bit.ly/49tovNV

On Monday, American Airlines announced the return of nonstop service from New York (JFK) to Barbados (BGI) this winter. Did you know American inaugurated service to Barbados on Nov. 1, 1975? To pay homage to American’s history, service from New York to Barbados will resume with the same flight number as when it was first announced—Flight 585. Return service will restart as Flight 707, a nod to the Boeing 707 that operated the first flights 49 years ago. Stay tuned for more historical shots as we pay tribute to American’s route history over the decades.

We’re on the official DFW Favorites ballot for Best Museum in the Things to Do category and Best Summer Camp in the Education category. Help us bring home the win and vote now through March 8 via: https://bit.ly/4bN9eZu. Vote vote vote!

Our final oral history celebrating Black History Month is available on the pilot kiosk in the CR Smith Museum gallery. This video follows Capt. Sidney L. Clark, who flew for two heritage carriers—Allegheny Airlines and U.S. Airways. Capt. Clark also became the first Black chief pilot for U.S. Airways. Check out American Airlines's YouTube to view Capt. Clark’s full story. If you’re in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, consider visiting the Museum to experience these inspiring legacy stories in person.

We continue our Black History Month celebration with the unveiling of our second oral history video available on the pilot kiosk in the CR Smith Museum gallery. Learn more about Capt. Sam Samuels who flew as the first officer in the first all-Black flight crew in the 1980s, known as the Soul Patrol. Check out American Airlines YouTube to view Capt. Samuels’ full story. If you’re in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, consider visiting the Museum to experience these powerful legacy stories in person.

We’re celebrating Black History Month by telling the stories of Black Americans whose groundbreaking efforts have helped shape history. We’ll unveil three new oral history videos on the information kiosks in the CR Smith Museum gallery. The first story follows Capt. David E. Harris who joined American in 1964 and became the first Black pilot for a major passenger airline. Check out American Airlines YouTube to watch Capt. Harris’ full story. If you’re in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, consider visiting the Museum to experience the impactful legacy stories in person.