Virasb Vahidi

Early life and education

Vahidi was born in Tehran in 1967, and left in 1983 for the United States and settled in San Diego, California. While there he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Applied Mechanics and Engineering Sciences from the University of California - San Diego in 1988. Later, Vahidi earned a Master of Business Administration in 1994 at Paris' Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussees.

Career at American Airlines

A veteran global flyer, Vahidi began his airline career at American in 1994. His early experience was in Planning. He subsequently served in roles of increasing responsibility in Revenue Management, Strategic Alliances, and Finance. He rejoined American as Senior Vice President-Planning in June 2009 and was named Chief Commercial Officer in 2010.

Under Vahidi's leadership, American has strengthened its presence in its hubs, expanded the reach of its global network, developed international joint ventures, and has broadened and deepened its alliances and oneworld partnerships. He also has led the modernization of American's fleet with the industry's largest-ever new aircraft order that in a few years will create the most modern, fuel-efficient fleet in the business. He has overseen innovations in every area from revenue management, with the introduction of new pricing products, to the redesign of the global sales organization to align more closely with customers.

Known for putting the customer at the center of all aspects of the customer experience, Vahidi has redesigned the customer journey with the introduction of industry leading services such as Flagship Check-in, and the upgrade of American’s international premium cabin experience. He has led the innovative design of cabin interiors for American’s new Boeing and Airbus fleet, including the new Boeing 777-300, so customers feel that travel is a continuation of their lifestyle rather than an interruption. Vahidi also has overseen the renewal of the AAdvantage program which has been recognized with 2013 Freddie awards for Airline Program of the Year, Best Elite Program and Best Airline Promotion.

One of the many highlights during Vahidi’s career included American’s plans to introduce the only three-class transcontinental service using the industry-leading Airbus 321 aircraft from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport to Los Angeles in January 2014 and San Francisco in March 2014. Vahidi also oversaw the planning to launch the first 777-300 ER non-stop service from American’s Dallas-Fort Worth hub to Hong Kong and Shanghai .

Vahidi and his team are credited for creating the first renewal of American's iconic brand identity in over 40 years. The brand and agency teams were recognized with a 2013 CLIO award for corporate identity design, the first time an airline brand has received such recognition.

As a result of the restructuring efforts, as well as well as the transformation of the airline’s network, renewal of its fleet, and introduction of industry leading amenities, American posted record financial results in the second and third quarters of 2013.

Other career highlights

Vahidi’s diverse business and leadership experience also includes a stint at AT&T beginning in 2002 where he played senior roles in corporate strategy, planning and investor relations. He played a key role in crafting and executing the AT&T/SBC merger and integration. Following his tenure at AT&T, he served as Chief Operating Officer and member of the Board of Directors of Phorm, a London-based technology company.