Hard times: No more pillows on many American Airlines flights

By Associated Press

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FORT WORTH, Texas — Say goodbye to pillows on American Airlines MD-80 jets.

The Fort Worth-based airline this week removed pillows from its 334 MD-80s in a move expected to save time and money by enabling workers to clean the cabins faster, said spokesman Tim Wagner.

"It will streamline our cabin service," he said.

Since crews won't be spending time picking up pillows, they should be able to make cabins cleaner, Wagner said. Wagner estimated the airline would be saving "in the mid-six figures" because of the move.

The pillows will be relocated to its other planes, Wagner said. The airline doesn't plan to remove pillows on other aircraft.

MD-80 passengers should be able to use the adjustable headrests in place of the pillows, he said.

American has 704 planes. The MD-80s are used for shorter flights and are assigned to its hubs at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and O'Hare Airport in Chicago.

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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