June 20, 2012
"Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" Celebrates Pride at JFK's AA Terminal
Mark Thompson READ TIME: 2 MIN.
NEW YORK - American Airlines and Broadway will join forces on Thursday, June 21, to celebrate LGBT Pride at Terminal 8 at John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) with special performances from Bette Midler's outrageous Broadway musical, Priscilla.
The cast of Priscilla will perform a selection of hits inside the secure area at Terminal 8, delighting customers with music from the show. American Airlines will host two free performances at its JFK terminal at 3 p.m. and 3:45 p.m. Priscilla stars Jacqueline B. Arnold, Anastacia McCleskey, Ellyn Marie Marsh and Bryan West, who will perform 'Like a Prayer,' 'Diva Medley,' and 'We Belong.'
"We are pleased to host the cast of Priscilla as we treat customers to this special performance and celebrate Pride month," said Tim Ahern, American's Vice President - New York and International. "We are very proud of our history of support for both LGBT customers and employees and are excited to bring this show to JFK as a fun way to celebrate this rich history."
For nearly two decades, American Airlines has been a pioneer in its fair-minded policies and practices for its lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) customers and employees. American has consistently held the highest possible ranking on the Human Rights Campaign's Corporate Equality Index and remains the most gay-friendly of all U.S. airlines. Through its generous partnerships with the LGBT community, as well as its loyalty and respect for customers, employees and stakeholders, American demonstrates its unfaltering commitment to diversity.
"We know that all our customers, including gays, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people, have many choices when it comes to travel. We want their business and we will work to earn it," said Mike McKanna, American's General Manager - JFK Airport.
Priscillatells the story of three best friends on the wildest road trip ever, with more than 500 dazzling costumes and a hit parade of dance-floor favorites, including "It's Raining Men" and "I Will Survive."
The show concludes its Broadway run with a final performance at the Palace Theatre in New York on June 24. For more information on the show, please visit http://www.priscillaonbroadway.com/.
American Airlines Terminal 8 at JFK Airport combines the latest technology enhancements to offer a world-class facility for today's travelers. The spacious $1.3 billion Terminal 8 - which covers 1.5 million square feet - is the largest single-airline terminal at JFK. It offers two Admirals Club lounges and a Flagship Lounge, in addition to 53,000 square feet of retail space offering duty-free shopping and world-renowned brands.
American Airlines has served the New York market for more than 80 years and is the Official Airline of more than 30 theaters in New York City. With a keen understanding of the needs of New York customers, the airline offers a global route network augmented by its oneworld� alliance membership and joint business partnerships; its state-of-the-art international terminal at JFK International Airport; the AAdvantage� loyalty program, the world's first frequent flyer program; and a long-standing commitment to the Greater New York community.
For travel tips and more information on visiting New York, please visit www.AA.com/NYC.
A long-term New Yorker and a member of New York Travel Writers Association, Mark Thompson has also lived in San Francisco, Boston, Provincetown, D.C., Miami Beach and the south of France. The author of the novels WOLFCHILD and MY HAWAIIAN PENTHOUSE, he has a PhD in American Studies and is the recipient of fellowships at MacDowell, Yaddo, and Blue Mountain Center. His work has appeared in numerous publications.