The US flag carrier’s long proud history began on the morning of April 15, 1926 when legendary aviator Charles A Lindbergh took off from Chicago in a DH-4 biplane carrying a bag of mail bound for St Louis.

Lindbergh, who was to become famous the following year for making the first solo transatlantic airplane flight, was chief pilot of the Robertson Aircraft Corporation, one of many airlines that would eventually make up what is now the world’s largest airline.

To celebrate its 90th birthday, flight deck crew on this morning’s American Airlines flight 90 from Chicago O’Hare to London Heathrow displayed a flag with the original American Airlines logo out of the window on taxi out to honour a tradition unique to American Airlines’ flagship fleet. The plane’s passengers were also given a commemorative photo album as a lasting reminder of their historic flight.

“It has been a terrific 90 years for our airline and our best days lie ahead,” said Doug Parker, American Airlines’ chairman and chief operating officer. “American is 100,000 strong and innovating every day in large and small ways.”

American was the first airline to introduce transcontinental travel in 1953 and invented loyalty programmes when it introduced AAdvantage in 1981. It regained its place as the world’s largest carrier when it merged with US Airways in 2013.

The carrier’s Boeing 757 service from Birmingham to JFK has a newly upgraded business class section with 16 forward-facing lie-flat seats that can be operated individually in four one-touch set positions. Prices are from £385 return (including taxes) in economy, and from £2684.20 return (including taxes) in business class.