My good-bye to BoardingArea, and hello to American Airlines!

Dear BoardingArea bloggers and readers and TravelUpdate readers,

Thank you so much for reading my blog posts, sharing your thoughts and opinions, and sometimes keeping me on my toes!

It has been a privilege tracking down news about the hotel and airline industries for you as a blogger at BoardingArea.com (thanks to frequent flier guru Randy Petersen) and previously as a journalist-turned-blogger for USA TODAY. I am truly grateful for the travel conversations we’ve had here as well as on Twitter and Facebook, where talk has ranged from the business of selling hotel rooms to flier etiquette – and everything in between.

Today, however, I have news of my own.

I am writing to tell you that I have accepted an exciting position with American Airlines, the world’s largest airline, in its corporate communications department.

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Sadly, this will end my relationship with you on TravelUpdate.com and BoardingArea.com. But while I will no longer be a member of the media, I will remain passionate about putting you – the road warrior who often flies multiple times per month – at the heart of everything I do.

No doubt there will be some changes ahead with the integration of the airlines, and it will be my job to relay that important news to American’s customers. And the news won’t come just from a press release or an update on the website. American is making a real effort to engage customers and influencers through social media and personal relationships.

That said, I’m looking forward to staying in touch. I’ll want to keep hearing your feedback, desires and – yes – frustrations.

I might be changing my business card, but I’ll only be a Tweet away @barbdelollis.

Best,

Barbara