Press Release
                   Lambda Legal Defense & Education Fund


        AMERICAN AIRLINES AND LAMBDA LEGAL DEFENSE SETTLE DISPUTE 
                ON BEHALF OF PASSENGER REMOVED FROM FLIGHT 


     (CHICAGO, IL, December 30, 1993)  American Airlines and
Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund, today announced a mutual
resolution of the controversy surrounding the removal of
passenger Timothy Holless from American Flight 55 on November 14,
1993 at O'Hare Airport in Chicago.

     As part of the settlement, the full terms of which are
confidential, American satisfied Mr. Holless' concerns regarding
required training of gate agents and flight attendants who work
with passengers with disabilities, including AIDS.     
     
     "American is embarking upon expanded training programs to
address the needs of passengers with AIDS and other
disabilities," said Patricia M. Logue, Managing Attorney of
Lambda's Midwest Regional Office in Chicago, "and will work with
the National Association of People with AIDS and the National
Leadership Coalition on AIDS who will ably represent the concerns
of people with AIDS."  Logue and attorney Amelia Craig of
Lambda's Western Regional Office in Los Angeles represented Mr.
Holless in his agreement with American.
     
     Mr. Holless released a short statement: "I am gratified that
American has taken my concerns seriously and has taken steps to
enhance training of its personnel to sensitize them to the needs
of passengers with disabilities, including AIDS."  Mr. Holless
requested continued respect for his privacy as he fights for a
return to good health.

     George Mueller, American's vice president of customer
services, said that American customer service personnel will
receive additional training above and beyond previous training
offered by the company.  He pledged that American will continue
to evaluate its training programs in an effort to provide quality
service.

     "We try to ensure that all of our passengers have a safe and
comfortable flight on American Airlines, regardless of their
physical condition.  We thank Mr. Holless in helping us to do a
better job in that regard," Mueller said.

     Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund is the nation's
leading non-profit legal organization working to protect and
advance the rights of lesbians, gay men, and people with
HIV/AIDS.  Headquartered in New York City, and with offices in
Los Angeles and Chicago, Lambda has regional and national
expertise in all aspects of sexual orientation and HIV-related
policy and law.

Contact:  

Lambda Legal Defense
Patricia Logue
312/759-8110

Amelia Craig
415/641-5212 (until 1/3/94)
213/937-2728 (as of 1/4/94)

American Airlines
John Hotard
Corporate Communications
817/967-1577