Nov. 21--CORPUS CHRISTI -- Diane Flores has been flying more than ever as she vies for jobs across the country.
While she always hopes to get a flight on an airplane with a television, it's pretty rare.
She was one of several American Airline passengers flying from the Corpus Christi International Airport to learn Thursday that they would be the first customers on a Corpus Christi flight of the company's newest aircraft, the A319.
The company debuted the new planes Thursday, complete with first-class seating, touchscreens at every seat, in-flight Wi-Fi service and more seats with extra leg room.
"I've been on a plane with a television and I paid extra to watch a movie," Flores said. "It was the best thing ever. The next thing I knew we were landing. I think having the televisions are a great expense for an added customer experience.
"I'm actually kind of excited to get on the plane now."
The A319 planes will be on the departure flight schedule at the airport twice a day, including an American Airlines flight in the morning and another departure in the early afternoon. An evening arrival flight from Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport will use the planes.
The planes are part of a new fleet of aircraft that American Airlines is rolling out in select cities between now and the end of the year.
As one of the first airports in the country to receive the new planes, it's indicative of what happens when communities support their local air service, said Will Livsey, regional manager for market development and network planning for American Airlines.
Customers booked on the first Corpus Christi flight also had a chance to win two round-trip tickets to any American Airlines flight in the United States, Mexico, Caribbean or Canada.
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