Contact: Corporate Communications

St. Louis, MO – AmericanConnection carrier Trans States Airlines announced today that it has entered into new marketing arrangements with American Airlines, Chautauqua Airlines, and Corporate Airlines which will allow Trans States to market flights operated by these carriers into and out of St. Louis under its "AX" designator code.

Trans States, Chautauqua and Corporate are all long-term providers of regional feeder services to American Airlines, and have been flying as AmericanConnection with American’s AA* designator code. Beginning today, passengers may purchase tickets marketed under the AX* code between AmericanConnection cities and on many American Airlines destinations via St. Louis. Passengers will continue to receive the same high quality service and AAdvantage® miles for all AX marketed flights. No scheduling changes have been made in conjunction with the codeshare announcement.

"We’re proud to share our AX code with American and with the providers who operate as AmericanConnection," said Richard Leach, Trans States executive vice president and COO. "The code may be new, but our customers will get the same great service and a reliable connection to American’s St. Louis hub where passengers can link with the American Airlines network to travel anywhere in the world. With full AAdvantage program benefits, AmericanConnection passengers can participate in the largest awards program in the airline industry."

AAdvantage miles earned on AmericanConnection also qualify toward elite status and all the privileges enjoyed by that level of membership. Miles earned on AmericanConnection can be redeemed for travel on American Airlines, American Eagle and AmericanConnection or any of the AAdvantage participant airlines to more than 950 exciting destinations worldwide.

The AmericanConnection carriers serve 41 destinations from St. Louis with 173 flights per day. American Airlines has 262 flights per day from St. Louis, serving 63 destinations.

Trans States Airlines, a large regional airline serving the Midwest and Eastern U.S. employs over 1,200 aviation professionals with service to 39 cities and more than 280 daily flights. Trans States is also the recipient of the Federal Aviation Administration’s Certificate of Excellence Diamond Award for four years in a row.

American Airlines is the world’s largest carrier. American, in concert with American Eagle and the AmericanConnection regional carriers, make up the American Airlines network. Together, they serve more than 250 cities in 41 countries and territories with approximately 4,400 daily flights. The combined network fleet numbers more than 1,100 aircraft. Only American provides More Room Throughout Coach for More Coach Passengers. American Airlines is a founding member of the oneworld alliance.

Chautauqua Airlines is a wholly owned subsidiary of Republic Airways Holdings, Inc. which is wholly owned by Wexford Capital LLC a Greenwich, Conn-based manager of investment funds. Chautauqua offers scheduled passenger service on approximately 355 flights daily to 42 cities in 18 states and Canada through codesharing agreements with four U.S. airlines. All of its flights are operated as AmericanConnection, America West, Express, Delta Connection, or US Airways Express. The airline employs more than 1,500 aviation professionals.

Corporate Airlines is a wholly owned privately held company with headquarters in Smyrna, TN. It began operations in December 1996. The company currently operates daily non-stop flights as AmericanConnection between Nashville and Atlanta, Tri-Cities and St. Louis. In addition, the company provides service in the Mid-West as AmericanConnection between St. Louis and 10 destinations as a regional partner for American Airlines.

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