AMERICAN AIRLINES INC
S-3, 1999-03-24
AIR TRANSPORTATION, SCHEDULED
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<PAGE>   1
 
    AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON MARCH 24, 1999.
                                                    REGISTRATION NO. 333-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
 
                                    FORM S-3
 
            REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------
 
                            AMERICAN AIRLINES, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                      <C>
                        DELAWARE                                                13-1502798
            (State or other jurisdiction of                                  (I.R.S. Employer
             incorporation or organization)                               Identification Number)
</TABLE>
 
                                P.O. BOX 619616
                  DALLAS/FORT WORTH AIRPORT, TEXAS 75261-9616
                                 (817) 963-1234
    (Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                  of registrant's principal executive offices)
                            ------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                      <C>
                ANNE H. MCNAMARA, ESQ.                                  JOHN T. CURRY, III, ESQ.
       SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL COUNSEL                          DEBEVOISE & PLIMPTON
                AMERICAN AIRLINES, INC.                                     875 THIRD AVENUE
                    P.O. BOX 619616                                     NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022
           DALLAS/FORT WORTH AIRPORT, TEXAS                                  (212) 909-6000
                      75261-9616
                    (817) 963-1234
</TABLE>
 
 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                             of agents for service)
 
                                    Copy to:
                           ROHAN S. WEERASINGHE, ESQ.
                              SHEARMAN & STERLING
                              599 LEXINGTON AVENUE
                            NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10022
                                 (212) 848-4000
                            ------------------------
    APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALE TO THE PUBLIC: From time
to time, as determined by market conditions, after the effective date of this
registration statement.
                            ------------------------
    If the only securities being registered on this form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box.  [ ]
 
    If any of the securities being registered on this form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box.  [X]
 
    If this form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering.  [ ]  __________
 
    If this form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering.  [ ]
 
    If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box.  [ ]
                            ------------------------
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                  PROPOSED                PROPOSED
                                           AMOUNT                 MAXIMUM                 MAXIMUM
     TITLE OF EACH CLASS OF                TO BE               OFFERING PRICE            AGGREGATE               AMOUNT OF
   SECURITIES TO BE REGISTERED         REGISTERED(1)            PER UNIT(2)          OFFERING PRICE(3)      REGISTRATION FEE(4)
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                                <C>                     <C>                     <C>                     <C>
Pass Through Certificates........   U.S. $1,250,000,000              --             U.S. $1,250,000,000           $347,500
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
(1) Or (i) its equivalent (based on the applicable exchange rate at the time of
    sale) if Pass Through Certificates are issued with principal amounts
    denominated in one or more foreign or composite currencies or (ii) if Pass
    Through Certificates are issued at a discount, such greater amounts as shall
    result in aggregate offering proceeds of not more than $1,250,000,000.
 
(2) Omitted pursuant to Rule 457(o) under the Securities Act.
 
(3) Estimated solely for purposes of calculating the registration fee pursuant
    to Rule 457(o).
 
(4) Pursuant to Rule 457(o), the registration fee has been calculated on the
    basis of the proposed maximum aggregate offering price.
                            ------------------------
    THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(a) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(a),
MAY DETERMINE.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   2
 
THE INFORMATION IN THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT COMPLETE AND MAY BE CHANGED. WE CANNOT
SELL THESE SECURITIES UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT FILED WITH THE SECURITIES
AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION IS EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS IS NOT AN OFFER TO SELL
THESE SECURITIES AND IT IS NOT SOLICITING AN OFFER TO BUY THESE SECURITIES IN
ANY STATE WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED.
 
                  SUBJECT TO COMPLETION, DATED MARCH 24, 1999
 
                                 $1,250,000,000
 
                            AMERICAN AIRLINES, INC.
 
                           PASS THROUGH CERTIFICATES
 
     This Prospectus relates to the issuance of Pass Through Certificates by one
or more Pass Through Trusts to be formed by American Airlines, Inc. We will
describe the specific terms of any offering of Pass Through Certificates in a
Prospectus Supplement to this Prospectus. You should read this Prospectus and
the applicable Prospectus Supplements carefully before you invest.
 
THE PASS THROUGH CERTIFICATES --
 
     - Will be issued in one or more series.
 
     - Will be payable at the times and in the amounts specified in the
       accompanying Prospectus Supplement.
 
     - Will represent interests in the relevant Trust only, will be paid only
       from the assets of that Trust and will not represent obligations of, or
       be guaranteed by, American.
 
     - May have one or more forms of credit or liquidity enhancement.
 
EACH PASS THROUGH TRUST --
 
     - Will own:
 
      - Equipment Notes of one or more series, and
 
      - other property described in this Prospectus and the accompanying
        Prospectus Supplement.
 
     - Will pass through payments on the Equipment Notes and other property that
       it owns, subject to any applicable subordination provisions.
 
THE EQUIPMENT NOTES --
 
     - Will be either
 
      - Owned Aircraft Notes issued by American, or
 
      - Leased Aircraft Notes issued on a non-recourse basis by owner trustees
        pursuant to aircraft leveraged leases with American. The amounts due
        from American under each such lease will be sufficient to make all
        regularly scheduled payments required on the related Equipment Notes,
        subject to some limited exceptions.
                            ------------------------
 
     NEITHER THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION NOR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION HAS APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THESE SECURITIES OR DETERMINED IF THIS
PROSPECTUS IS TRUTHFUL OR COMPLETE. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
                            ------------------------
 
             The date of this Prospectus is                , 1999.
<PAGE>   3
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                              PAGE
                                                              ----
<S>                                                           <C>
About This Prospectus.......................................    2
Where You Can Find More Information.........................    2
The Company.................................................    4
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges..........................    4
Formation of the Trusts.....................................    4
Use of Proceeds.............................................    5
Description of the Pass Through Certificates................    5
Description of the Equipment Notes..........................   18
Credit Enhancements.........................................   24
Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences.....................   24
Certain Connecticut Taxes...................................   26
ERISA Considerations........................................   26
Plan of Distribution........................................   27
Legal Opinions..............................................   28
Experts.....................................................   28
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   4
 
                             ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
 
     This Prospectus is part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") utilizing a
"shelf" registration process. Under this shelf process, we may sell the Pass
Through Certificates described in this Prospectus in one or more offerings. This
Prospectus provides you with a general description of the Pass Through
Certificates we may offer. Each time we sell Pass Through Certificates, we will
provide a Prospectus Supplement that will contain specific information about the
terms of that offering. The Prospectus Supplement may also add, update or change
information contained in this Prospectus. You should read carefully both this
Prospectus and any applicable Prospectus Supplement, together with the
additional information described below under "Where You Can Find More
Information."
 
     This Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the
registration statement that we filed with the SEC or in the exhibits to that
registration statement. For further information about American or the Pass
Through Certificates, you should refer to that registration statement and its
exhibits. Statements contained in this Prospectus or in any Prospectus
Supplement as to the contents of any contract or other document are not
necessarily complete, and you should review the full text of those contracts and
other documents.
 
     The registration statement that we filed with the SEC relating to the Pass
Through Certificates can be obtained from the SEC, as described below under
"Where You Can Find More Information."
 
                      WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
 
     We file annual, quarterly and special reports with the SEC. These SEC
filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC's web site at
http://www.sec.gov. You may also read and copy any such document we file at the
SEC's public reference rooms at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549,
and in New York, New York and Chicago, Illinois. Please call the SEC at
1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the public reference rooms and copy
charges.
 
     The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" the information we file
with it, which means:
 
     - we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those
       documents;
 
     - information incorporated by reference is considered to be part of this
       Prospectus, even though it is not repeated in this Prospectus or in any
       Prospectus Supplement; and
 
     - information that we file with the SEC will automatically update and
       supersede this Prospectus and any Prospectus Supplements.
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   5
 
     We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future
filings made with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") (i) after the date of the
filing of this registration statement and prior to its effectiveness and (ii)
until we complete our offering of Pass Through Certificates:
 
     - Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998.
 
     - Current Reports on Form 8-K filed February 18, 1999, February 24, 1999
       and March 18, 1999.
 
     You may obtain a copy of these filings (other than their exhibits, unless
those exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference in the filings) at no
cost by writing or telephoning us at the following address:
 
       Corporate Secretary
        American Airlines, Inc.
        P.O. Box 619616, Mail Drop 5675
        Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, Texas 75261-9616
        (817) 963-1234
 
     You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or
provided in this Prospectus or any applicable Prospectus Supplement. We have not
authorized anyone else to provide you with different information. If anyone
provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on
it. We are not making an offer to sell any Pass Through Certificates in any
jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume
that the information in this Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement is accurate
as of any date other than the date on the front page of those documents. Also,
you should not assume that there has been no change in the affairs of American
since the date of this Prospectus or any applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   6
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     American, the principal subsidiary of AMR Corporation, was founded in 1934.
American is one of the largest scheduled passenger airlines in the world. At the
end of 1998, American provided scheduled jet service to more than 180
destinations throughout North America, the Caribbean, Latin America, Europe and
the Pacific. American is also one of the largest scheduled air freight carriers
in the world, providing a full range of freight and mail services to shippers
throughout its system.
 
     The postal address for American's principal executive offices is P.O. Box
619616, Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, Texas 75261-9616 (Telephone: 817-963-1234).
 
                       RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
 
     The following table contains American's ratio of earnings to fixed charges
for the periods indicated:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                          ------------------------------------
                                          1994    1995    1996    1997    1998
                                          ----    ----    ----    ----    ----
<S>                                       <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>     <C>
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges......  1.07    1.00    1.88    2.27    2.82
</TABLE>
 
     For purposes of the table, "earnings" represents American's consolidated
income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, extraordinary
items and fixed charges (excluding interest capitalized). "Fixed charges"
consists of interest expense (including interest capitalized), amortization of
debt expense and the portion of rental expense we deem representative of the
interest factor.
 
                            FORMATION OF THE TRUSTS
 
     American will enter into a Pass Through Trust Agreement (the "Basic
Agreement") with State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National
Association, as Trustee (the "Trustee"). Each series of Pass Through
Certificates will be issued by a separate Trust. Each separate Trust will be
formed pursuant to the Basic Agreement and a specific supplement to the Basic
Agreement (each, a "Trust Supplement") between American and the Trustee. All
Pass Through Certificates issued by a particular Trust will represent fractional
undivided interests in such Trust and the property held in such Trust, and,
subject to the effect of any cross-subordination provisions described in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement, will have no rights, benefits or interest in
respect of any other Trust or the property held in any other Trust.
 
     Concurrently with the execution and delivery of each Trust Supplement, the
Trustee, on behalf of the Trust formed by the Trust Supplement, will enter into
one or more agreements (each such agreement being herein referred to as a "Note
Purchase Agreement") pursuant to which it will agree to purchase one or more
Equipment Notes. All of the Equipment Notes that constitute the property of any
one Trust will have an identical interest rate, and this interest rate will be
equal to the rate applicable to the Pass Through Certificates issued by such
Trust. The maturity dates of the Equipment Notes acquired by each Trust will
occur on or before the final distribution date applicable to the Pass Through
Certificates issued by such Trust. The Trustee will distribute principal,
premium, if any, and interest payments received by it as holder of the Equipment
Notes to the registered holders of Pass Through Certificates (the
"Certificateholders") of the Trust in which such Equipment Notes are held,
subject to the effect of any cross-subordination provisions described in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   7
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     Except as set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Trustee
for each Trust will use the proceeds from the sale of the Pass Through
Certificates issued by such Trust to purchase one or more Owned Aircraft Notes
or Leased Aircraft Notes. The Owned Aircraft Notes will be secured by certain
aircraft owned or to be owned by American ("Owned Aircraft"), and the Leased
Aircraft Notes will be secured by certain aircraft leased or to be leased to
American ("Leased Aircraft"). In certain cases, Owned Aircraft Notes or Leased
Aircraft Notes may be issued to refinance debt, lease or other transactions
previously entered into to finance the applicable aircraft.
 
     A Trust may hold Owned Aircraft Notes or Leased Aircraft Notes that are
subordinated in right of payment to other Equipment Notes or other debt related
to the same Owned or Leased Aircraft. In addition, the Trustees on behalf of one
or more Trusts may enter into an intercreditor or subordination agreement
establishing priorities among series of Pass Through Certificates. Also, a
liquidity facility may support one or more payments on the Equipment Notes or
Pass Through Certificates of one or more series. We will describe any such
credit enhancements in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
     To the extent that the Trustee does not use the proceeds of any offering of
Pass Through Certificates to purchase Equipment Notes on the date of issuance of
such Pass Through Certificates, it will hold such proceeds for the benefit of
the holders of such Pass Through Certificates under arrangements that we will
describe in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. If the Trustee does not
subsequently use any portion of such proceeds to purchase Equipment Notes by the
relevant date specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, it will return
that portion of such proceeds to the holders of such Pass Through Certificates.
 
     In addition, we may offer Pass Through Certificates subject to delayed
aircraft financing arrangements, such as the following:
 
     - A Trust may purchase Leased Aircraft Notes issued by an Owner Trustee
       prior to the purchase of certain Leased Aircraft by such Owner Trustee or
       the commencement of the related Lease.
 
     - A Trust may purchase Owned Aircraft Notes issued by American prior to the
       expected delivery date of certain Owned Aircraft.
 
     - The funds may be invested with a depositary or represented by escrow
       receipts until used to purchase Equipment Notes.
 
     In such circumstances, we will describe in the Prospectus Supplement how
the proceeds of the Pass Through Certificates will be held or applied during any
such delayed aircraft financing period, including any depositary or escrow
arrangements.
 
                  DESCRIPTION OF THE PASS THROUGH CERTIFICATES
 
     The following description is a summary of the terms of the Pass Through
Certificates that we expect will be common to all series. Most of the financial
terms and other specific terms of any series of Pass Through Certificates will
be described in a Prospectus Supplement to be attached to this Prospectus. Since
the terms of the specific Pass Through Certificates may differ from the general
information provided below, you should rely on the information in the Prospectus
Supplement instead of the information in this Prospectus if the information in
the Prospectus Supplement is different from the information below.
 
     Because the following description is a summary, it does not describe every
aspect of the Pass Through Certificates, and it is subject to and qualified in
its entirety by reference to all the provisions of the Basic Agreement and the
applicable Trust Supplements. The form of Basic Agreement has been filed as an
exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part.
American will file with the SEC the Trust Supplement relating to each series of
Pass Through Certificates and the forms of Indenture, Lease (if any), Note
Purchase Agreement, intercreditor and subordination agreement (if any) and
liquidity facility agreement (if any) relating to any offering of Pass Through
Certificates as exhibits to a post-effective amendment
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   8
 
to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part or a Current
Report on Form 8-K, a Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q or an Annual Report on Form
10-K.
 
     The Pass Through Certificates offered pursuant to this Prospectus will be
limited to $1,250,000,000 aggregate public offering price (or its equivalent
(based on the applicable exchange rate at the time of sale) in one or more
foreign or composite currencies or currency units).
 
     To the extent that any provision in any Prospectus Supplement is
inconsistent with any provision in this summary, the provision in such
Prospectus Supplement will control.
 
GENERAL
 
     The Pass Through Certificates of each Trust will be issued in fully
registered form only. Each Pass Through Certificate will represent a fractional
undivided interest in the separate Trust created by the Basic Agreement and the
Trust Supplement pursuant to which such Pass Through Certificate is issued, and
all payments and distributions will be made only from the Trust Property of each
Trust. The Trust Property will include (i) the Equipment Notes held in such
Trust and all monies at any time paid thereon and all monies due and to become
due thereunder, subject to the effect of any cross-subordination provisions
described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, (ii) funds from time to time
deposited with the Trustee in accounts relating to such Trust and (iii) if so
specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, rights under any cross-
subordination arrangements, monies receivable under any liquidity facility and
any other rights or property described therein.
 
     Equipment Notes may be Owned Aircraft Notes or Leased Aircraft Notes.
American will issue Owned Aircraft Notes under separate trust indentures (the
"Owned Aircraft Indentures") between American and a bank, trust company or other
institution or person specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, as trustee
thereunder (in such capacity, herein referred to as the "Loan Trustee"). The
Owned Aircraft Notes will be recourse obligations of American. The Owned
Aircraft may secure additional debt or be subject to other financing
arrangements.
 
     Leased Aircraft Notes will be issued in connection with the leveraged lease
of Leased Aircraft to American. Except as set forth in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, each Leased Aircraft will be leased to American under a lease (a
"Lease") between American and a bank, trust company or other institution acting
not in its individual capacity but solely as trustee (an "Owner Trustee") of a
separate trust for the benefit of one or more beneficial owners (each, an "Owner
Participant") of the Leased Aircraft. Owner Participants may include American or
affiliates of American. The Owner Trustee will issue the Leased Aircraft Notes
on a non-recourse basis under separate trust indentures (the "Leased Aircraft
Indentures") between it and the applicable Loan Trustee to finance or refinance
a portion of the cost to it of the applicable Leased Aircraft. The Owner Trustee
will obtain a portion of the funding for the Leased Aircraft from the equity
investments of the related Owner Participants and, to the extent set forth in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement, additional debt secured by such Leased
Aircraft or other sources. The Leased Aircraft also may be subject to other
financing arrangements. No Owner Trustee or Owner Participant, however, will be
personally liable for any principal or interest payable under the related Leased
Aircraft Indenture or the Leased Aircraft Notes issued thereunder. The rents and
other amounts payable by American under the Lease relating to any Leased
Aircraft will be in amounts sufficient to pay when due all principal and
interest payments on the Leased Aircraft Notes issued under the Leased Aircraft
Indenture in respect of such Leased Aircraft.
 
     Each Pass Through Certificate will represent a pro rata share of the
outstanding principal amount of the Equipment Notes and other property held in
the related Trust. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, each Pass Through Certificate will be issued in minimum
denominations of $1,000 or any integral multiple of $1,000 except that one Pass
Through Certificate of each series may be issued in a different denomination.
The Pass Through Certificates do not represent an interest in or obligation of
American, the Trustee, any of the Loan Trustees or Owner Trustees in their
individual capacities, any Owner Participant, or any of their respective
affiliates. Each Certificateholder by its acceptance of a Pass Through
Certificate agrees to look solely to the income and proceeds from the Trust
Property of the applicable Trust as provided in the Basic Agreement and the
applicable Trust Supplement.
                                        6
<PAGE>   9
 
     A Trust may hold Owned Aircraft Notes or Leased Aircraft Notes that are
subordinated in right of payment to other Equipment Notes or other debt relating
to the same or certain related Owned Aircraft or Leased Aircraft. In addition,
the Trustees on behalf of one or more Trusts may enter into an intercreditor or
subordination agreement or similar arrangements establishing priorities among
series of Pass Through Certificates. Also, payments in respect of the Pass
Through Certificates of one or more series, or the Equipment Notes of one or
more series, or both, may be supported by a liquidity facility or similar
arrangements. See "Credit Enhancements" below. Any such intercreditor,
subordination, liquidity facility or other credit enhancement arrangements will
be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. This description assumes
that the Pass Through Certificates will be issued without credit enhancements.
If any credit enhancements are used, certain terms of the Pass Through
Certificates will differ in some respects from the terms described in this
Prospectus. The applicable Prospectus Supplement will reflect the material
differences arising from any such credit enhancements.
 
     In addition, this description generally assumes that, on or before the date
of the sale of any series of Pass Through Certificates, the related Aircraft
shall have been delivered and the ownership or lease financing arrangements for
such Aircraft shall have been put in place. However, it is possible that some or
all of the Aircraft related to a particular offering of Pass Through
Certificates may be subject to certain delayed aircraft financing arrangements.
See "Description of the Equipment Notes -- General" below. In the event of any
delayed aircraft financing arrangements, certain terms of the Pass Through
Certificates will differ in some respects from the terms described in this
Prospectus. The applicable Prospectus Supplement will reflect the material
differences arising from any such delayed aircraft financing arrangements.
 
     Interest will be passed through to Certificateholders of each Trust at the
rate per annum payable on the Equipment Notes held in such Trust, as set forth
for such Trust on the cover page of the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
subject to the effect of any cross-subordination provisions described in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
     Reference is made to the Prospectus Supplement that accompanies this
Prospectus for a description of the specific series of Pass Through Certificates
being offered thereby, including:
 
          (1) the specific designation and title of such Pass Through
     Certificates and the related Trust;
 
          (2) the Regular Distribution Dates (as defined below) and Special
     Distribution Dates (as defined below) applicable to such Pass Through
     Certificates;
 
          (3) the currency or currencies (including composite currencies or
     currency units) in which such Pass Through Certificates may be denominated
     or payable;
 
          (4) the specific form of such Pass Through Certificates, including
     whether or not such Pass Through Certificates are to be issued in
     accordance with a book-entry system;
 
          (5) a description of the Equipment Notes to be purchased by such
     Trust, including (a) the period or periods within which, the price or
     prices at which, and the terms and conditions upon which such Equipment
     Notes may or must be redeemed, purchased or defeased, in whole or in part,
     by American or, with respect to Leased Aircraft Notes, the Owner Trustee or
     Owner Participant, (b) the payment priority of such Equipment Notes in
     relation to any other Equipment Notes or other debt issued with respect to
     the same Aircraft, (c) any additional security or liquidity enhancements
     therefor and (d) any intercreditor or other rights or limitations between
     or among the holders of Equipment Notes of different priorities issued with
     respect to the same Aircraft;
 
          (6) a description of the related Aircraft, including whether each such
     Aircraft is a Leased Aircraft or an Owned Aircraft;
 
          (7) a description of the related Note Purchase Agreement and related
     Indentures, including a description of the events of default under the
     related Indentures, the remedies exercisable upon the occurrence of such
     events of default and any limitations on the exercise of such remedies with
     respect to such Equipment Notes;
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   10
 
          (8) if such Pass Through Certificates relate to Leased Aircraft, a
     description of the related Leases, including (a) the names of the related
     Owner Trustees, (b) a description of the events of default under the
     related Leases, the remedies exercisable upon the occurrence of such events
     of default and any limitations on the exercise of such remedies with
     respect to the applicable Leased Aircraft Notes, and (c) the rights, if
     any, of the related Owner Trustee or Owner Participant to cure failures of
     American to pay rent under the related Lease;
 
          (9) the extent, if any, to which the provisions of the operative
     documents applicable to such Equipment Notes may be amended by the parties
     thereto without the consent of the holders of, or only upon the consent of
     the holders of a specified percentage of aggregate principal amount of,
     such Equipment Notes;
 
          (10) cross-default or cross-collateralization provisions in the
     related Indentures, if any;
 
          (11) a description of any intercreditor, subordination or similar
     provisions among the holders of Pass Through Certificates, including any
     cross-subordination provisions and provisions relating to control of
     remedies among the holders of Pass Through Certificates issued by separate
     Trusts;
 
          (12) any arrangements for the investment or other use of proceeds of
     the Pass Through Certificates prior to the purchase of Equipment Notes, and
     any arrangements relating to any delayed aircraft financing arrangements;
 
          (13) a description of any deposit or escrow agreement, any liquidity
     or revolving credit facility or other like arrangement providing
     collateralization, credit support or liquidity enhancements for any series
     of Pass Through Certificates or any class of Equipment Notes; and
 
          (14) a description of any other special terms pertaining to such Pass
     Through Certificates, including any modification of the terms set forth
     herein.
 
     If any Pass Through Certificates are denominated in one or more foreign or
composite currencies or currency units, any restrictions, special United States
federal income tax considerations and other special information with respect to
such Pass Through Certificates and such foreign or composite currency or
currency units will be set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
     If any Pass Through Certificates relate to Equipment Notes that are sold at
a substantial discount below the principal amount of such Equipment Notes,
certain special federal income tax considerations and other special information
with respect to such Pass Through Certificates will be set forth in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
     The Basic Agreement does not and the Indentures will not include financial
covenants or "event risk" provisions specifically designed to afford
Certificateholders protection in the event of a highly leveraged transaction
affecting American. However, the Certificateholders of each series will have the
benefit of a lien on the specific Aircraft securing the related Equipment Notes
held in the related Trust. See "Description of the Equipment Notes -- Security."
 
     To the extent described in a Prospectus Supplement, American will have the
right to surrender Pass Through Certificates issued by a Trust to the Trustee
for such Trust. In such event, the Trustee will transfer to American an equal
principal amount of Equipment Notes relating to a particular Aircraft designated
by American and will cancel the surrendered Pass Through Certificates.
 
BOOK-ENTRY REGISTRATION
 
  General.
 
     Except as otherwise described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, Pass
Through Certificates will be subject to the provisions described below.
 
     Upon issuance, each series of Pass Through Certificates will be represented
by one or more fully registered global certificates. Unless otherwise provided
in a Prospectus Supplement, each global certificate
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   11
 
will be deposited with, or on behalf of, The Depository Trust Company ("DTC")
and registered in the name of Cede & Co. ("Cede"), the nominee of DTC. No person
acquiring an interest in such Pass Through Certificates ("Certificate Owner")
will be entitled to receive a certificate representing such person's interest in
such Pass Through Certificates, except as set forth below under "-- Definitive
Certificates." Unless and until Definitive Certificates (as defined below) are
issued under the limited circumstances described herein, all references in this
Prospectus and in any Prospectus Supplement to actions by Certificateholders
will refer to actions taken by DTC upon instructions from DTC Participants (as
defined below), and all references to distributions, notices, reports and
statements to Certificateholders will refer, as the case may be, to
distributions, notices, reports and statements to DTC or Cede, as the registered
holder of such Pass Through Certificates, or to DTC Participants for
distribution to Certificate Owners in accordance with DTC procedures.
 
     DTC has advised American that DTC is a limited purpose trust company
organized under the laws of the State of New York, a member of the Federal
Reserve System, a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the New York
Uniform Commercial Code and a "clearing agency" registered pursuant to Section
17A of the Exchange Act. DTC was created to hold securities for its participants
("DTC Participants") and to facilitate the clearance and settlement of
securities transactions between DTC Participants through electronic book-
entries, thereby eliminating the need for physical transfer of certificates. DTC
Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks, trust companies,
clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Indirect access to the
DTC system also is available to others such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust
companies that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship with a DTC
Participant, either directly or indirectly ("Indirect Participants").
 
     Under the rules, regulations and procedures creating and affecting DTC and
its operations (the "Rules"), DTC is required to make book-entry transfers of
Pass Through Certificates among DTC Participants on whose behalf it acts with
respect to the Pass Through Certificates. Certificate Owners that are not DTC
Participants but that desire to purchase, sell or otherwise transfer ownership
of, or other interests in, Pass Through Certificates may do so only through DTC
Participants. DTC Participants and Indirect Participants with which Certificate
Owners have accounts with respect to the Pass Through Certificates, however, are
required to make book-entry transfers on behalf of their respective customers.
In addition, under the Rules, DTC is required to receive and transmit to the DTC
Participants distributions of principal of, premium, if any, and interest with
respect to the Pass Through Certificates. Certificate Owners thus will receive
all distributions of principal, premium, if any, and interest from the Trustee
through DTC Participants or Indirect Participants, as the case may be. Under
this book-entry system, Certificate Owners may experience some delay in their
receipt of payments because such payments will be forwarded by the Trustee to
Cede, as nominee for DTC, and DTC in turn will forward the payments to the
appropriate DTC Participants in amounts proportionate to the principal amount of
such DTC Participants' respective holdings of beneficial interests in the Pass
Through Certificates, as shown on the records of DTC or its nominee.
Distributions by DTC Participants to Indirect Participants or Certificate
Owners, as the case may be, will be the responsibility of such DTC Participants.
 
     Unless and until Definitive Certificates are issued under the limited
circumstances described herein, the only "Certificateholder" under the Basic
Agreement will be Cede, as nominee of DTC. Certificate Owners therefore will not
be recognized by the Trustee as Certificateholders, as such term is used in the
Basic Agreement, and Certificate Owners will be permitted to exercise the rights
of Certificateholders only indirectly through DTC and DTC Participants. DTC has
advised American that it will take any action permitted to be taken by
Certificateholders under the Basic Agreement only at the direction of one or
more DTC Participants to whose accounts with DTC the Pass Through Certificates
are credited. Additionally, DTC has advised American that in the event any
action requires approval by Certificateholders of a certain percentage of
beneficial interest in each Trust, DTC will take such action only at the
direction of and on behalf of DTC Participants whose holdings include undivided
interests that satisfy any such percentage. DTC may take conflicting actions
with respect to other undivided interests to the extent that such actions are
taken on behalf of DTC Participants whose holdings include such undivided
interests. Conveyance of notices and other communications by DTC to DTC
Participants and by DTC Participants to Indirect Participants and to
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   12
 
Certificate Owners will be governed by arrangements among them, subject to any
statutory or regulatory requirements as may be in effect from time to time.
 
     Because DTC can only act on behalf of DTC Participants, who in turn act on
behalf of Indirect Participants, the ability of a Certificate Owner to pledge
Pass Through Certificates to persons or entities that do not participate in the
DTC system, or to otherwise act with respect to such Pass Through Certificates,
may be limited due to the lack of a physical certificate for such Pass Through
Certificates.
 
     Neither American nor the Trustee nor any agent of American or the Trustee
will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating
to or payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the Pass
Through Certificates held by Cede, as nominee for DTC; for maintaining,
supervising or reviewing any records relating to such beneficial ownership
interests or for the performance by DTC, any DTC Participant or any Indirect
Participant of their respective obligations under the Rules or any other
statutory, regulatory, contractual or customary procedures governing their
obligations.
 
     The applicable Prospectus Supplement will specify any additional book-entry
registration procedures applicable to Pass Through Certificates denominated in a
currency other than United States dollars.
 
     The information contained in this Prospectus concerning DTC and its
book-entry system has been obtained from sources American believes to be
reliable, but American has not verified such information and takes no
responsibility for the accuracy thereof.
 
  Same-Day Settlement and Payment.
 
     As long as Pass Through Certificates are registered in the name of DTC or
its nominee, all payments made by American to the Loan Trustee under any Lease
or any Owned Aircraft Indenture will be in immediately available funds. Such
payments, including the final distribution of principal with respect to the Pass
Through Certificates of any Trust, will be passed through to DTC in immediately
available funds.
 
     Any Pass Through Certificates registered in the name of DTC or its nominee
will trade in DTC's Same-Day Funds Settlement System until maturity, and
secondary market trading activity in the Pass Through Certificates will
therefore be required by DTC to settle in immediately available funds. No
assurance can be given as to the effect, if any, of settlement in same-day funds
on trading activity in the Pass Through Certificates.
 
  Definitive Certificates.
 
     Pass Through Certificates will be issued in certificated form ("Definitive
Certificates") to Certificate Owners or their nominees, rather than to DTC or
its nominee, only if (i) American advises the Trustee in writing that DTC is no
longer willing or able to discharge properly its responsibilities as depository
with respect to such Pass Through Certificates and American is unable to locate
a qualified successor, (ii) American, at its option, elects to terminate the
book-entry system through DTC or (iii) after the occurrence of certain events of
default or other events specified in the related Prospectus Supplement,
Certificate Owners with fractional undivided interests aggregating not less than
a majority in interest in such Trust advise the Trustee, American and DTC
through DTC Participants in writing that the continuation of a book-entry system
through DTC (or a successor thereto) is no longer in the Certificate Owners'
best interest.
 
     Upon the occurrence of any event described in the immediately preceding
paragraph, the Trustee will be required to notify all affected Certificate
Owners through DTC Participants of the availability of Definitive Certificates.
Upon surrender by DTC of the global certificates representing the Pass Through
Certificates and receipt of instructions for re-registration, the Trustee will
reissue the Pass Through Certificates as Definitive Certificates to Certificate
Owners.
 
     Distributions of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Pass
Through Certificates will thereafter be made by the Trustee, in accordance with
the procedures set forth in the Basic Agreement and the applicable Trust
Supplements, directly to holders in whose names such Definitive Certificates
were registered at the close of business on the applicable record date. Such
distributions will be made by check
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   13
 
mailed to the address of each such holder as it appears on the register
maintained by the Trustee. The final payment on any Pass Through Certificate,
however, will be made only upon presentation and surrender of such Pass Through
Certificate at the office or agency specified in the notice of final
distribution to Certificateholders.
 
     Definitive Certificates will be freely transferable and exchangeable at the
office of the Trustee upon compliance with the requirements set forth in the
Basic Agreement and the applicable Trust Supplements. No service charge will be
imposed for any registration of transfer or exchange, but payment of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge will be required.
 
PAYMENTS AND DISTRIBUTIONS
 
     American will make scheduled payments of principal and interest on the
Owned Aircraft Notes to the Loan Trustee under the related Indenture, and the
Loan Trustee will distribute such payments to the Trustee for each Trust that
holds such Owned Aircraft Notes.
 
     Upon the commencement of the Lease for any Leased Aircraft, American will
make scheduled rental payments for each Leased Aircraft under the related Lease,
and these scheduled rental payments will be assigned under the applicable
Indenture by the related Owner Trustee to the Loan Trustee to provide the funds
necessary to make the corresponding scheduled payments of principal and interest
due on the Leased Aircraft Notes issued by such Owner Trustee. The Loan Trustee
will distribute such payments to the Trustee for each Trust that holds such
Leased Aircraft Notes. After the Loan Trustee has distributed such payments of
principal and interest on the Leased Aircraft Notes to the Trustee for such
Trusts, the Loan Trustee will, except under certain circumstances, pay the
remaining balance, if any, to the Owner Trustee for the benefit of the related
Owner Participant.
 
     Subject to the effect of any cross-subordination provisions set forth in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement, payments of principal, premium, if any,
and interest with respect to the Equipment Notes held in each Trust will be
distributed by the Trustee, upon receipt, to Certificateholders of such Trust on
the dates and in the currency specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
except in certain cases when some or all of such Equipment Notes are in default
as described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
     Payments of principal of and interest on the Equipment Notes held in each
Trust will be scheduled to be received by the Trustee on the dates specified in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement (such scheduled payments of principal and
interest are referred to as "Scheduled Payments," and the dates specified in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement for distribution of Scheduled Payments by the
Trustee to the Certificateholders are referred to as "Regular Distribution
Dates"). Subject to the effect of any cross-subordination provisions set forth
in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Pass Through Trustee will
distribute on each Regular Distribution Date to the related Certificateholders
any Scheduled Payments received by the Pass Through Trustee on such Regular
Distribution Date. If a Scheduled Payment is not received by the Pass Through
Trustee on or before a Regular Distribution Date, but is received within five
days thereafter, it will be distributed on the date received to the
Certificateholders. Each such distribution of a Scheduled Payment will be made
by the Pass Through Trustee to the people or entities in whose name the
Certificates of such Trust are registered at the close of business on the 15th
day preceding such Regular Distribution Date, subject to certain exceptions.
Subject to the effect of any cross-subordination provisions set forth in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement, each Certificateholder of a Trust will be
entitled to receive a pro rata share of any distribution in respect of Scheduled
Payments of principal and interest made on the Equipment Notes held in such
Trust.
 
     Payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest received by the
Trustee on account of the early redemption or purchase, if any, of any of the
Equipment Notes relating to one or more Aircraft held in a Trust, payments
received by the Trustee following an Event of Default in respect of any such
Equipment Notes (including payments received by the Trustee on account of the
sale of such Equipment Notes by the Trustee or payments received by the Trustee
with respect to the Leased Aircraft Notes on account of the purchase of such
Notes by the related Owner Trustee or Owner Participant) and any other payments
designated as Special Payments in the applicable Trust Supplement ("Special
Payments") will be distributed on the date or dates
                                       11
<PAGE>   14
 
determined as described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement (each, a
"Special Distribution Date"). The Trustee will mail notice to the
Certificateholders of record of the applicable Trust stating any such
anticipated Special Distribution Date.
 
     If any Regular Distribution Date or Special Distribution Date is not a
business day, distributions scheduled to be made on such Regular Distribution
Date or Special Distribution Date may be made on the next succeeding business
day without additional interest.
 
POOL FACTORS
 
     Unless otherwise described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
"Pool Balance" for each Trust indicates, as of any date, the original aggregate
face amount of the Pass Through Certificates of such Trust less the aggregate
amount of all payments made in respect of the Pass Through Certificates of such
Trust other than payments made in respect of interest or premium or
reimbursement of any costs and expenses in connection therewith. The Pool
Balance for each Trust as of any Regular Distribution Date or Special
Distribution Date will be computed after giving effect to the payment of
principal, if any, on the Equipment Notes or other Trust Property held in such
Trust and the distribution thereof to be made on that date.
 
     Unless otherwise described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
"Pool Factor" for each Trust as of any Regular Distribution Date or Special
Distribution Date is the quotient (rounded to the seventh decimal place)
computed by dividing (1) the Pool Balance, by (2) the aggregate original face
amount of the Pass Through Certificates of such Trust. The Pool Factor for each
Trust as of any Regular Distribution Date or Special Distribution Date shall be
computed after giving effect to the payment of principal, if any, on the
Equipment Notes or other Trust Property held in such Trust and the distribution
thereof to be made on that date. The Pool Factor for each Trust will initially
be 1.0000000; thereafter, the Pool Factor for each Trust will decline as
described above to reflect reductions in the Pool Balance of such Trust. The
amount of a Certificateholder's pro rata share of the Pool Balance of a Trust
can be determined by multiplying the original denomination of the
Certificateholder's Pass Through Certificate of such Trust by the Pool Factor
for such Trust as of the applicable Regular Distribution Date or Special
Distribution Date. The Pool Factor and the Pool Balance for each Trust will be
mailed to Certificateholders of such Trust on each Regular Distribution Date and
Special Distribution Date.
 
     Unless there has been an early redemption, a purchase of one or more of the
Equipment Notes held in a Trust by the related Owner Trustee or Owner
Participant after an Indenture Default (as defined below), a default in the
payment of principal in respect of one or more issues of the Equipment Notes
held in a Trust or certain actions have been taken following a default thereon,
as described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the Pool Factor for each
Trust will decline in proportion to the scheduled repayments of principal on the
Equipment Notes held in such Trust as described in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement. In the event of such redemption, purchase or payment default (if
such payment is not made within five days of the Regular Distribution Date), the
Pool Factor and the Pool Balance of each Trust so affected will be recomputed
after giving effect thereto, and notice thereof will be mailed to
Certificateholders of such Trust. Each Trust will have a separate Pool Factor.
 
REPORTS TO CERTIFICATEHOLDERS
 
     On each Regular Distribution Date and Special Distribution Date, the
Trustee will include with each distribution of a Scheduled Payment or Special
Payment to Certificateholders of the related Trust a statement, giving effect to
such distribution to be made on such Regular Distribution Date or Special
Distribution Date, setting forth the following information (per $1,000 in
aggregate principal amount of Pass Through Certificates for such Trust, as to
(1) and (2) below):
 
          (1) the amount of such distribution allocable to principal and the
     amount allocable to premium if any;
 
          (2) the amount of such distribution allocable to interest;
 
          (3) the Pool Balance and the Pool Factor for such Trust; and
                                       12
<PAGE>   15
 
          (4) such additional or different information as may be described in
     the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
     As long as the Pass Through Certificates are registered in the name of
Cede, as nominee for DTC, on the record date prior to each Regular Distribution
Date and Special Distribution Date, the Trustee will request from DTC a
securities position listing setting forth the names of all DTC Participants
reflected on DTC's books as holding interests in the Pass Through Certificates
on such record date. On each Regular Distribution Date and Special Distribution
Date, the applicable Trustee will mail to each such DTC Participant the
statement described above and will make available additional copies as requested
by such DTC Participant for forwarding to Certificate Owners.
 
     In addition, after the end of each calendar year, the Trustee will prepare
for each Certificateholder of each Trust at any time during the preceding
calendar year a report containing the sum of the amounts determined pursuant to
clauses (1) and (2) above with respect to the Trust for such calendar year or,
in the event such person was a Certificateholder during only a portion of such
calendar year, for the applicable portion of such calendar year, and such other
items as are readily available to the Trustee and which a Certificateholder will
reasonably request as necessary for the purpose of such Certificateholder's
preparation of its federal income tax returns. Such report and such other items
will be prepared on the basis of information supplied to the Trustee by the DTC
Participants and will be delivered by the Trustee to such DTC Participants to be
available for forwarding by such DTC Participants to Certificate Owners in the
manner described above.
 
     At such time, if any, as the Pass Through Certificates are issued in the
form of Definitive Certificates, the Trustee will prepare and deliver the
information described above to each Certificateholder of record of each Trust as
the name and period of record ownership of such Certificateholder appears on the
records of the registrar of the Pass Through Certificates.
 
VOTING OF EQUIPMENT NOTES
 
     Subject to the effect of any cross-subordination or intercreditor
provisions described in the related Prospectus Supplement, the Trustee, as
holder of the Equipment Notes held in a Trust, has the right to vote and give
consents and waivers in respect of such Equipment Notes under the related
Indentures. The Basic Agreement and related Trust Supplement will set forth:
 
     - the circumstances in which the Trustee may direct any action or cast any
       vote as the holder of the Equipment Notes held in the applicable Trust at
       its own discretion;
 
     - the circumstances in which the Trustee will seek instructions from the
       Certificateholders of such Trust; and
 
     - if applicable, the percentage of Certificateholders required to direct
       the Trustee to take any such action.
 
If specified in the related Prospectus Supplement, the right of a Trustee to
vote and give consents and waivers with respect to the Equipment Notes held in
the related Trust may, in the circumstances set forth in an intercreditor,
subordination or similar agreement to be executed by such Trustee, be
exercisable by another person specified in such Prospectus Supplement.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND CERTAIN RIGHTS UPON AN EVENT OF DEFAULT
 
     The Basic Agreement defines an "Event of Default" for any Trust as the
occurrence and continuance of an Indenture event of default under one or more of
the related Indentures. What constitutes an "Event of Default" for any
particular Trust, however, may be varied by the applicable Trust Supplement and
described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. In addition, the Prospectus
Supplement will specify the events of default under the related Indentures (an
"Indenture Default"). The Indenture Defaults in the case of Leased Aircraft
Indentures will include events of default under the related Leases (a "Lease
Event of Default"). With respect to any Equipment Notes that are supported by a
liquidity facility or like arrangement, the
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   16
 
Indenture Defaults or Events of Default may include events of default under such
liquidity facility or arrangement.
 
     Unless otherwise provided in a Prospectus Supplement, all of the Equipment
Notes issued under the same Indenture will relate only to a specific Aircraft
and there will be no cross-collateralization or cross-default provisions in the
Indentures. As a result, events resulting in an Indenture Default under any
particular Indenture will not necessarily result in an Indenture Default under
any other Indenture. However, since the Equipment Notes issued under any single
Indenture may be held in more than one Trust, a continuing Indenture Event of
Default under such single Indenture could result in an Event of Default in
respect of each such Trust. If an Indenture Default occurs in fewer than all of
the Indentures related to a Trust, notwithstanding the treatment of Equipment
Notes issued under those Indentures under which an Indenture Default has
occurred, payments of principal and interest on the Equipment Notes issued
pursuant to the Indentures with respect to which an Indenture Default has not
occurred will continue to be made as originally scheduled and distributed to
Certificateholders, subject to the terms of any intercreditor, subordination or
similar arrangements applicable to such Trust.
 
     The ability of the applicable Owner Trustee or Owner Participant under a
Leased Aircraft Indenture to cure Indenture Defaults, including an Indenture
Default that results from the occurrence of a Lease Event of Default under the
related Lease, will be described in the Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise
provided in a Prospectus Supplement, in the case of any Pass Through
Certificates or Equipment Notes entitled to the benefits of a liquidity facility
or like arrangement, a drawing under any such liquidity facility or arrangement
for the purpose of making a payment of interest as a result of the failure by
American to have made a corresponding payment will not cure an Indenture Default
related to such failure by American.
 
     The ability of the holders of the Pass Through Certificates issued with
respect to any one Trust to cause the Loan Trustee with respect to any Equipment
Notes held in such Trust to accelerate the payment of such Equipment Notes under
the applicable Indenture or to direct the exercise of remedies by such Loan
Trustee under the applicable Indenture will depend, in part, upon the proportion
of the aggregate principal amount of the Equipment Notes outstanding under such
Indenture and held in such Trust to the aggregate principal amount of all
Equipment Notes outstanding under such Indenture. In addition, if
cross-subordination provisions are applicable to any series of Pass Through
Certificates, then the ability of the Certificateholders of any one Trust
holding Equipment Notes issued under an Indenture to cause the Loan Trustee to
accelerate such Equipment Notes or to direct the exercise of remedies by the
Loan Trustee under such Indenture will depend, in part, upon the relative
ranking of the Equipment Notes held in such Trust.
 
     Each Trust will hold Equipment Notes with different terms than the
Equipment Notes held in the other Trusts and therefore the Certificateholders of
each Trust may have divergent or conflicting interests from those of the
Certificateholders of those other Trusts holding Equipment Notes issued under
the same Indenture. In addition, as long as the same institution acts as Trustee
of each Trust, in the absence of instructions from the Certificateholders of any
such Trust, the Trustee for such Trust could for the same reason be faced with a
potential conflict of interest upon an Indenture Default. In such event, the
initial Trustee has indicated that it would likely resign as Trustee of one or
all such Trusts, and a successor trustee or successor trustees would be
appointed in accordance with the terms of the Basic Agreement.
 
     The Prospectus Supplement for a series of Pass Through Certificates will
specify whether and under what circumstances the Trustee may or will sell for
cash to any person all or part of the Equipment Notes held in the related Trust.
The right to make any such sale may be exercisable by a person other than the
Trustee in the event that the applicable series of Pass Through Certificates are
subject to any intercreditor, subordination or similar arrangements, and the
proceeds or any such sale will be distributed as contemplated by such
arrangements. Any proceeds received by the Trustee upon any such sale that are
distributable to the Certificateholders of such Trust will be deposited in an
account established by the Trustee for the benefit of the Certificateholders of
such Trust and will be distributed to the Certificateholders of such Trust on a
Special Distribution Date. The market for Equipment Notes in default may be very
limited and there can be no assurance that they could be sold for a reasonable
price. Furthermore, as long as the same institution acts as Trustee of multiple
Trusts, it may be faced with a conflict in deciding from which Trust to sell
Equipment
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   17
 
Notes to available buyers. If the Trustee sells any such Equipment Notes with
respect to which an Indenture Default exists for less than their outstanding
principal amount, the Certificateholders of such Trust will receive a smaller
amount of principal distributions than anticipated and will not have any claim
for the shortfall against American, the Trustee or any other person, including,
in the case of any Leased Aircraft, the related Owner Trustee or Owner
Participant. Neither the Trustee nor the Certificateholders of such Trust,
furthermore, could take any action with respect to any remaining Equipment Notes
held in such Trust as long as no Indenture Defaults existed with respect
thereto.
 
     Any amount, other than Scheduled Payments received on a Regular
Distribution Date or within five days thereafter, distributed to the Trustee of
any Trust by the Loan Trustee under any Indenture on account of the Equipment
Notes held in such Trust following an Indenture Default under such Indenture
will be deposited in the special payments account for such Trust and will be
distributed to the Certificateholders of such Trust on a Special Distribution
Date. In addition, if an Indenture provides that the applicable Owner Trustee or
Owner Participant may, under circumstances specified therein, redeem or purchase
some or all of the outstanding Equipment Notes issued under such Indenture, the
price paid by such Owner Trustee or Owner Participant to the Trustee of any
Trust for any of the Equipment Notes issued under such Indenture and held in
such Trust will be deposited in the special payments account for such Trust and
will be distributed to the Certificateholders of such Trust on a Special
Distribution Date.
 
     Any funds representing payments received with respect to any Equipment
Notes held in a Trust and which are in default, or the proceeds from the sale by
the Trustee of any such Equipment Notes, held by the Trustee in the special
payments account for such Trust will, to the extent practicable, be invested and
reinvested by the Trustee in Permitted Investments pending the distribution of
such funds on a Special Distribution Date. "Permitted Investments" will be
described in the related Prospectus Supplement.
 
     The Basic Agreement provides that the Trustee of each Trust will, within 90
days after the occurrence of a default (as defined below) in respect of such
Trust, give to the Certificateholders of such Trust notice, transmitted by mail,
of all uncured or unwaived defaults with respect to such Trust known to it;
provided that, except in the case of default in the payment of principal of,
premium, if any, or interest on any of the Equipment Notes held in such Trust,
the Trustee will be protected in withholding such notice if it in good faith
determines that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of such
Certificateholders. Except as otherwise described in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement, the term "default," for the purpose of the provision described in
this paragraph only, means the occurrence of any Event of Default with respect
to a Trust, as specified above, except that in determining whether any such
Event of Default has occurred, any grace period or notice in connection
therewith will be disregarded.
 
     The Basic Agreement contains a provision entitling the Trustee of each
Trust, subject to the duty of the Trustee during a default to act with the
required standard of care, to be offered reasonable security or indemnity by the
Certificateholders of such Trust before proceeding to exercise any right or
power under the Basic Agreement at the request of such Certificateholders.
 
     The applicable Prospectus Supplement will specify the percentage of
Certificateholders entitled to waive, or to instruct the Trustee to waive, any
past default or Event of Default with respect to such Trust and its consequences
and also will specify the percentage of Certificateholders (and whether of such
Trust or of any other Trust holding Equipment Notes issued under related
Indentures) entitled to waive, or to instruct the Trustee or the Loan Trustee to
waive, any past Indenture Default under any related Indenture and thereby annul
any direction given with respect thereto.
 
MODIFICATIONS OF THE BASIC AGREEMENT
 
     The Basic Agreement contains provisions permitting American and the Trustee
to enter into a supplement to the Basic Agreement or, if applicable, to any Note
Purchase Agreement or to any intercreditor,
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   18
 
subordination or like agreement or liquidity facility, without the consent of
the holders of any of the Pass Through Certificates, to, among other things:
 
          (1) provide for the formation of a Trust and the issuance of a series
     of Pass Through Certificates;
 
          (2) evidence the succession of another corporation or entity to
     American and the assumption by such corporation or entity of American's
     obligations under the Basic Agreement and any Trust Supplement, any Note
     Purchase Agreement and any intercreditor, subordination or like agreement
     or liquidity facility;
 
          (3) add to the covenants of American for the benefit of the holders of
     a series of Pass Through Certificates or surrender any right or power
     conferred upon American in the Basic Agreement, any Note Purchase Agreement
     or any intercreditor, subordination or like agreement or liquidity
     facility;
 
          (4) cure any ambiguity or correct any mistake or inconsistency
     contained in the Basic Agreement, any Trust Supplement or any intercreditor
     agreement or liquidity facility;
 
          (5) make or modify any other provisions with respect to matters or
     questions arising under the Basic Agreement or any Trust Supplement or any
     intercreditor, subordination or like agreement or liquidity facility as the
     Company may deem necessary or desirable and that will not materially
     adversely affect the interests of the holders of the series of Pass Through
     Certificates issued under such Trust Supplement;
 
          (6) comply with any requirement of the Commission, any applicable law,
     rules or regulations of any exchange or quotation system on which any Pass
     Through Certificates may be listed or of any regulatory body;
 
          (7) modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of the Basic Agreement
     or any intercreditor, subordination or like agreement or liquidity facility
     to the extent necessary to continue the qualification of the Basic
     Agreement (including any supplemental agreement) under the Trust Indenture
     Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act") and add to the Basic
     Agreement or any intercreditor, subordination or like agreement or
     liquidity facility such other provisions as may be expressly permitted by
     the Trust Indenture Act;
 
          (8) provide for a successor Trustee for some or all of the Trusts or
     add to or change any provision of the Basic Agreement or any intercreditor,
     subordination or like agreement or liquidity facility as necessary to
     facilitate the administration of the Trusts thereunder by more than one
     Trustee;
 
          (9) provide certain information to the Trustee as required in the
     Basic Agreement;
 
          (10) add to or change the Basic Agreement and any Trust Supplement to
     facilitate the issuance of any Pass Through Certificates in bearer form or
     to facilitate or provide for the issuance of any Pass Through Certificates
     in global form in addition to or in place of Pass Through Certificates in
     certificated form;
 
          (11) provide for the delivery of Pass Through Certificates or any
     supplement to the Basic Agreement in or by means of any computerized,
     electronic or other medium, including computer diskette;
 
          (12) correct or supplement the description of any property of any
     Trust;
 
          (13) modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of the Basic Agreement
     or any applicable Trust Supplement to reflect the substitution of a
     substitute aircraft for any Aircraft; and
 
          (14) make any other amendments or modifications to the Basic
     Agreement, provided such amendments or modifications will only apply to
     Pass Through Certificates of one or more series to be issued thereafter.
 
     The Basic Agreement also contains provisions permitting American and the
Trustee of each Trust, with the consent of the Certificateholders of such Trust
evidencing fractional undivided interests aggregating not less than a majority
in interest of such Trust and, in the case of Leased Aircraft, with the consent
of the Owner
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   19
 
Trustee, to execute supplemental agreements adding any provisions to or changing
or eliminating any of the provisions of the Basic Agreement, to the extent
relating to such Trust, the applicable Trust Supplement or any applicable
intercreditor, subordination or like agreement or liquidity facility, or
modifying the rights of such Certificateholders, except that no such
supplemental agreement may, without the consent of the holder of each such Pass
Through Certificate so affected, (a) reduce in any manner the amount of, or
delay the timing of, any receipt by the Trustee of payments on the Equipment
Notes held in such Trust, or distributions in respect of any Pass Through
Certificate of such Trust, or change any date or place of payment or change the
coin or currency in which such Pass Through Certificate is payable, other than
that provided for in such Pass Through Certificate, or impair the right of any
Certificateholder of such Trust to institute suit for the enforcement of any
such payment when due, (b) permit the disposition of any Equipment Note held in
such Trust, except as provided in the Basic Agreement or the applicable Trust
Supplement or in any intercreditor, subordination or like agreement or liquidity
facility, (c) alter the priority of distributions specified in the relevant
intercreditor agreement, if any, in a manner materially adverse to the holders
of Pass Through Certificates of such series, or (d) reduce the percentage of the
aggregate fractional undivided interests of the Trust provided for in the Basic
Agreement or the applicable Trust Supplement, the consent of the holders of
which is required for any such supplemental agreement or for any waiver provided
for in the Basic Agreement or such Trust Supplement.
 
MODIFICATION OF INDENTURE AND RELATED AGREEMENTS
 
     The Prospectus Supplement will specify the Trustee's obligations in the
event that the Trustee, as the holder of any Equipment Notes held in a Trust,
receives a request for its consent to any amendment or modification of or waiver
under the Indenture or other documents relating to such Equipment Notes
(including any Lease with respect to Leased Aircraft Notes).
 
TERMINATION OF THE TRUSTS
 
     The obligations of American and the Trustee with respect to a Trust will
terminate upon the distribution to Certificateholders of such Trust of all
amounts required to be distributed to them pursuant to the Basic Agreement and
the applicable Trust Supplement and the disposition of all property held in such
Trust. The Trustee will mail to each Certificateholder of record of such Trust
notice of the termination of such Trust, the amount of the proposed final
payment and the proposed date for the distribution of such final payment for
such Trust. The final distribution to any Certificateholder of such Trust will
be made only upon surrender of such Certificateholder's Pass Through
Certificates at the office or agency of the Trustee specified in such notice of
termination.
 
DELAYED PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT NOTES
 
     In the event that, on the issuance date of any Pass Through Certificates,
all of the proceeds from the sale of such Pass Through Certificates are not used
to purchase the Equipment Notes contemplated to be held in the related Trust,
such Equipment Notes may be purchased by the Trustee at any time on or prior to
the date specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. In such event, the
proceeds from the sale of such Pass Through Certificates not used to purchase
Equipment Notes will be held under an arrangement described in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement. Such an arrangement may include, without limitation, (1)
the investment of such proceeds by the Trustee in specified permitted
investments; (2) the deposit of such proceeds in a deposit or escrow account
held by a separate depositary or escrow agent; or (3) the purchase by the
Trustee of debt instruments issued on an interim basis by American. Any such
debt instrument may be secured by a collateral account or other security or
property described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. The arrangements
with respect to the payment of interest on funds so held will be described in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement. If any such proceeds are not subsequently
utilized to purchase Equipment Notes by the relevant date specified in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement, including by reason of a casualty to one or
more Aircraft, such proceeds will be returned to the holders of such Pass
Through Certificates.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   20
 
MERGER, CONSOLIDATION AND TRANSFER OF ASSETS
 
     American will be prohibited from consolidating with or merging into any
other corporation or transferring substantially all of its assets as an entirety
to any other corporation or entity unless, in the case of a merger or
consolidation where American is not the surviving corporation or in the case of
the transfer of substantially all of American's assets, the successor
corporation or transferee corporation or entity shall be a corporation or entity
organized and existing under the laws of the United States or any State or the
District of Columbia and shall expressly assume all the obligations of American
contained in the Basic Agreement.
 
THE TRUSTEE
 
     Unless otherwise provided in the Prospectus Supplement for any series of
Pass Through Certificates, State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut,
National Association, will be the Trustee for each of the Trusts. With certain
exceptions, the Trustee will make no representations as to the validity or
sufficiency of the Basic Agreement, the Trust Supplements, the Pass Through
Certificates, the Equipment Notes, the Indentures, the Leases, if any, or other
related documents. The Trustee will not be liable with respect to any series of
Pass Through Certificates for any action taken or omitted to be taken by it in
good faith in accordance with the direction of the holders of a majority in face
amount of outstanding Pass Through Certificates of such series issued under the
Basic Agreement. Subject to such provisions, such Trustee will be under no
obligation to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Basic Agreement at
the request of any holders of Pass Through Certificates issued thereunder unless
they have offered to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the
costs, expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by the Trustee in
exercising such rights or powers. The Basic Agreement provides that the Trustee
in its individual or any other capacity may acquire and hold Pass Through
Certificates issued thereunder and, subject to certain conditions, may otherwise
deal with American and, with respect to the Leased Aircraft, with any Owner
Trustee and Owner Participant with the same rights it would have if it were not
the Trustee.
 
     Unless otherwise provided in the Prospectus Supplement for any series of
Pass Through Certificates, State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut,
National Association, will also be the Loan Trustee of the Indentures under
which the Equipment Notes are issued. It also serves as indenture trustee and as
pass through trustee in numerous other aircraft financing transactions involving
American.
 
     The Trustee may resign with respect to any or all of the Trusts at any
time, in which event American will be obligated to appoint a successor trustee.
If the Trustee ceases to be eligible to continue as Trustee with respect to a
Trust or becomes incapable of acting as Trustee or becomes insolvent, American
may remove such Trustee, or any holder of Pass Through Certificates of such
Trust for at least six months may, on behalf of itself and all others similarly
situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of such
Trustee and the appointment of a successor trustee. Any resignation or removal
of the Trustee with respect to a Trust and appointment of the successor trustee
for such Trust does not become effective until acceptance of the appointment by
the successor trustee. Pursuant to such resignation and successor trustee
provisions, it is possible that a different trustee could be appointed to act as
the successor trustee with respect to each Trust. All references in this
Prospectus to the Trustee are to the trustee acting in such capacity under each
of the Trusts and should be read to take into account the possibility that each
of the Trusts could have a different successor trustee in the event of such a
resignation or removal.
 
     The Basic Agreement provides that American will pay the Trustee's fees and
expenses and indemnify the Trustee against certain liabilities. In certain
circumstances, the Trustee will have a priority claim on the related Trust
Property to the extent such fees, expenses or indemnities are not paid.
 
                       DESCRIPTION OF THE EQUIPMENT NOTES
 
     The following description is a summary of certain terms that we expect will
be common to all Equipment Notes. Where no distinction is made between the
Leased Aircraft Notes and the Owned Aircraft Notes or between their respective
Indentures, such statements refer to any Equipment Notes and any Indenture. Most
of the financial terms and other specific terms of any series of Equipment Notes
will be described in a
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   21
 
Prospectus Supplement to be attached to this Prospectus. Since the terms of the
specific Equipment Notes may differ from the general information provided below,
you should rely on the information in the Prospectus Supplement instead of the
information in this Prospectus if the information in the Prospectus Supplement
is different from the information below.
 
     Because the following description is a summary, it does not describe every
aspect of the Equipment Notes, and it is subject to and qualified in its
entirety by reference to all the provisions of the applicable Equipment Notes,
Indentures, Leases, Note Purchase Agreements, trust agreements, participation
agreements, intercreditor and subordination agreements, liquidity facility
arrangements and other agreements and arrangements relating to any series of
Equipment Notes.
 
     Additional provisions with respect to the Equipment Notes and the
associated aircraft financing transactions will be described in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement. To the extent that any provision in any Prospectus
Supplement is inconsistent with any provision in this summary, the provision in
such Prospectus Supplement will control.
 
GENERAL
 
     The Equipment Notes will be issued under Indentures between (a) in the case
of Owned Aircraft Notes, the related Loan Trustee and American or (b) in the
case of Leased Aircraft Notes, the related Loan Trustee and the Owner Trustee of
a trust for the benefit of the Owner Participant who is the beneficial owner of
such Leased Aircraft.
 
     American's obligations under each Indenture relating to an Owned Aircraft
and under the related Owned Aircraft Notes will be direct obligations of
American. All of the Owned Aircraft Notes issued under the same Indenture will
relate to, and will be secured by, one or more specific Owned Aircraft and,
unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, will not be
secured by any other Aircraft.
 
     The Leased Aircraft Notes will be nonrecourse obligations of the Owner
Trustee. All of the Leased Aircraft Notes issued under the same Indenture will
relate to and will be secured by one or more specific Leased Aircraft and,
unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, will not be
secured by any other Aircraft. In each case, the Owner Trustee will lease the
related Leased Aircraft to American pursuant to a separate Lease between such
Owner Trustee and American.
 
     Equipment Notes may be issued pursuant to delayed aircraft financing
arrangements, such as the following:
 
     - The Owner Trustee may issue Leased Aircraft Notes prior to the purchase
       of certain Leased Aircraft by such Owner Trustee or the commencement of
       the related Leases.
 
     - American may issue Owned Aircraft Notes prior to the expected delivery
       date of certain Owned Aircraft.
 
     The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe any such delayed
aircraft financing arrangements, including any arrangements for the
collateralization of any such Leased Aircraft Notes or Owned Aircraft Notes with
cash, permitted investments or other property, and any depositary or escrow
arrangement pursuant to which the proceeds from the sale of such Leased Aircraft
Notes or Owned Aircraft Notes will be deposited with a third party depositary or
escrow agent.
 
     If the anticipated aircraft financing transactions have not been completed
by the relevant date specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
including by reason of a casualty to one or more Aircraft, such Leased Aircraft
Notes or Owned Aircraft Notes will be prepaid at the price specified in such
Prospectus Supplement. Alternatively, if the Lease related to any such Leased
Aircraft Notes has not commenced by such relevant date, if so specified in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement, American at its option may convert the
proposed leveraged lease financing into a type of financing available for Owned
Aircraft and such Leased Aircraft Notes (with certain modifications) will become
Owned Aircraft Notes.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   22
 
     Upon the commencement of the Lease for any Leased Aircraft, American will
be obligated to make or cause to be made rental payments under such Lease that
will be sufficient to pay the principal of and accrued interest on the related
Leased Aircraft Notes when due. The Leased Aircraft Notes will not be direct
obligations of, or guaranteed by, American. American's rental obligations under
each Lease, however, will be general obligations of American.
 
     If specified in a Prospectus Supplement, American will have the right (a)
to arrange a sale and leaseback of one or more Owned Aircraft referred to in
such Prospectus Supplement and the assumption, on a non-recourse basis, of the
related Owned Aircraft Notes by an Owner Trustee or (b) to substitute other
aircraft, cash or U.S. government securities or a combination thereof in place
of the Owned Aircraft securing the related Owned Aircraft Notes. The terms and
conditions of any such sale and leaseback or substitution will be described in
the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
PRINCIPAL AND INTEREST PAYMENTS
 
     Interest received by the Trustee on the Equipment Notes held in each Trust
will be passed through to the Certificateholders of such Trust on the dates and
at the rate per annum set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement until
the final distribution date for such Trust. The Equipment Notes may bear
interest at a fixed or a floating rate or may be issued at a discount. Principal
payments received by the Trustee on the Equipment Notes held in each Trust will
be passed through to the Certificateholders of such Trust in scheduled amounts
on the dates set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement until the final
distribution date for such Trust. Payments on the Equipment Notes, and
distributions to Certificateholders, may be subject to the terms of any
intercreditor, subordination or similar agreement or arrangement.
 
     If any date scheduled for any payment of principal of, premium, if any, or
interest on the Equipment Notes is not a business day, such payment may be made
on the next succeeding business day without any additional interest, unless
otherwise provided in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
REDEMPTION
 
     The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the circumstances,
whether voluntary or involuntary, under which the related Equipment Notes will
or may be redeemed or purchased prior to the stated maturity thereof, whether in
whole or in part, the premium, if any, applicable to certain redemptions or
purchases and other terms applying to such redemptions or purchases.
 
SECURITY
 
     The Owned Aircraft Notes will be secured by a security interest granted by
American to the related Loan Trustee of all of American's right, title and
interest in and to the Owned Aircraft. Under the terms of each Owned Aircraft
Indenture, American will be obligated, among other things, to pay all costs of
operating and maintaining such Aircraft.
 
     The Leased Aircraft Notes will be secured by:
 
     - an assignment by the related Owner Trustee to the related Loan Trustee of
       such Owner Trustee's rights (except for certain limited rights, including
       those described below) under the Lease or Leases with respect to the
       related Leased Aircraft, including the right to receive payments of rent
       thereunder; and
 
     - a security interest granted by such Owner Trustee to such Loan Trustee in
       such Aircraft, subject to the rights of American under such Lease or
       Leases, and other property or rights, if any, described in the applicable
       Prospectus Supplement.
 
     Unless and until an Indenture Default with respect to a Leased Aircraft has
occurred and is continuing, the Loan Trustee may exercise only limited rights of
the Owner Trustee under the related Lease. The assignment by the Owner Trustee
to the Loan Trustee of its rights under the related Lease will exclude, among
other things, rights of such Owner Trustee and the related Owner Participant
relating to indemnifica-
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   23
 
tion by American for certain matters, insurance proceeds payable to such Owner
Trustee in its individual capacity and to such Owner Participant under liability
insurance maintained by American under such Lease or by such Owner Trustee or
such Owner Participant, insurance proceeds payable to such Owner Trustee in its
individual capacity or to such Owner Participant under certain casualty
insurance maintained by such Owner Trustee or such Owner Participant, any rights
of such Owner Participant or such Owner Trustee to enforce payment of the
foregoing amounts and certain reimbursement payments made by American to such
Owner Trustee.
 
     American's obligations in respect of each Leased Aircraft will be those of
a lessee under a "net lease." Accordingly, American will be obligated, among
other things, to pay all costs of operating and maintaining such Aircraft.
 
     The Prospectus Supplement will describe the required insurance coverage
with respect to the Aircraft.
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Equipment Notes will not be cross-collateralized and consequently the Equipment
Notes issued in respect of any one Aircraft will not be secured by any of the
other Aircraft (or any of the other security related thereto, including, in the
case of Leased Aircraft Notes, the Lease related to any other Aircraft).
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement,
American will be required, except under certain circumstances, to keep each
Aircraft registered under the portion of Title 49 of the United States Code
relating to aviation (the "Transportation Code") and to record the Indenture and
the Lease, if any, with respect to each Aircraft under the Transportation Code.
Such recordation of the Indenture and the Lease, if any, with respect to each
Aircraft will give the related Loan Trustee a perfected security interest in the
related Aircraft whenever it is located in the United States or any of its
territories and possessions and, with certain exceptions, in those jurisdictions
that have ratified or adhere to the Convention on the International Recognition
of Rights in Aircraft (the "Convention"). American or any lessee will have the
right, subject to certain conditions, at its own expense to register each
Aircraft in countries other than the United States. Each Aircraft may also be
operated by American or under lease or sublease or interchange arrangements in
countries that are not parties to the Convention. The extent to which the
related Loan Trustee's security interest would be recognized in an Aircraft
located in a country that is not a party to the Convention, and the extent to
which such security interest would be recognized in a jurisdiction adhering to
the Convention if the Aircraft is registered in a jurisdiction not a party to
the Convention, is uncertain. Moreover, in the case of an Indenture Default, the
ability of the related Loan Trustee to realize upon its security interest in an
Aircraft is likely to be adversely affected as a legal or practical matter if
such Aircraft were registered or located outside the United States.
 
     Funds, if any, held from time to time by the Loan Trustee with respect to
any Aircraft, including funds held as the result of an Event of Loss to such
Aircraft or termination of the Lease, if any, relating thereto, will be invested
and reinvested by such Loan Trustee, at the direction of American (except, with
respect to a Leased Aircraft, in the case of a Lease Event of Default under the
applicable Lease or, with respect to an Owned Aircraft, in the case of an
Indenture Default under the applicable Indenture), in investments described in
the related Indenture. American will pay the amount of any net loss resulting
from any such investment directed by it.
 
     Section 1110 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code provides in relevant part that the
right of lessors, conditional vendors and holders of security interests with
respect to "equipment" (as defined in such Section 1110) to take possession of
such equipment in compliance with the lease, conditional sale contract or
security agreement, as the case may be, is not affected by (a) the automatic
stay provision of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, which provision enjoins
repossessions by creditors for the duration of the reorganization period, (b)
the provision of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code allowing the debtor-in-possession in
reorganization or the trustee to use, sell or lease property of the debtor
during the reorganization period, (c) Section 1129 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code
(which governs the confirmation of plans of reorganization in Chapter 11 cases)
or (d) any power of the bankruptcy court to enjoin a repossession. Section 1110
provides that the right of a lessor, conditional vendor or holder of a security
interest to take possession of an aircraft in the event of an event of default
may not be exercised for 60 days following the date of commencement of the
reorganization
                                       21
<PAGE>   24
 
proceedings (unless specifically permitted by the bankruptcy court) and may not
be exercised at all if, within such 60-day period (or such longer period
consented to by the lessor, conditional vendor or holder of a security
interest), the debtor-in-possession in reorganization or the trustee agrees to
perform the debtor's obligations that become due on or after such date under the
lease, conditional sale contract or security agreement and cures all existing
defaults thereunder (other than defaults resulting solely from the financial
condition, bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization of the debtor). "Equipment"
is defined in Section 1110, in part, as an aircraft, aircraft engine, propeller,
appliance, or spare part (as defined in Section 40102 of Title 49 of the U.S.
Code) that is subject to a security interest granted by, leased to, or
conditionally sold to a debtor that is a citizen of the United States (as
defined in Section 40102 of Title 49 of the U.S. Code) holding an air carrier
operating certificate issued by the Secretary of Transportation pursuant to
chapter 447 of Title 49 of the U.S. Code for aircraft capable of carrying 10 or
more individuals or 6,000 pounds or more of cargo (subject to certain
limitations in the case of equipment first placed in service on or prior to
October 22, 1994). The Prospectus Supplement for each offering of Pass Through
Certificates will discuss the availability of Section 1110 with respect to the
related Aircraft.
 
ADDITIONAL NOTES
 
     Under certain circumstances and conditions as described in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement, American may cause the financing of certain
modifications, alterations, additions, improvements or replacement parts to an
Aircraft through the issuance and sale by American, in the case of an Owned
Aircraft, or by the Owner Trustee, in the case of a Leased Aircraft, of
additional Equipment Notes (the "Additional Notes"). The terms, conditions and
designations of such Additional Notes will be set forth in a supplement to the
related Indenture.
 
PAYMENTS AND LIMITATION OF LIABILITY
 
     Each Leased Aircraft will be leased by the related Owner Trustee to
American for a term expiring on a date not earlier than the latest maturity date
of the Leased Aircraft Notes issued with respect to such Leased Aircraft, unless
previously terminated as permitted by the terms of the related Lease. The basic
rent and certain other payments by American under each such Lease will be
assigned by the Owner Trustee under the related Indenture to the related Loan
Trustee to provide the funds necessary to pay principal of and interest due from
such Owner Trustee on the Leased Aircraft Notes issued under such Indenture. In
certain cases, the basic rent payments under a Lease may be adjusted, but each
Lease will provide that under no circumstances will basic rent payments by
American be less than the scheduled payments of principal and interest on the
related Leased Aircraft Notes. The balance of any basic rent payments under each
Lease, after payment of amounts due on the Leased Aircraft Notes issued under
the Indenture relating to such Lease, will be paid over to the related Owner
Trustee. American's obligation to pay rent and to cause other payments to be
made under each Lease will be general obligations of American.
 
     Except when American purchases a Leased Aircraft and assumes the Leased
Aircraft Notes related thereto, the Leased Aircraft Notes will not be
obligations of, or guaranteed by, American. Neither the Owner Trustee nor the
Owner Participant nor the Loan Trustee will be personally liable to any holder
of any Leased Aircraft Notes for any amounts payable thereunder, or, except as
provided in the Indenture relating thereto in the case of the Owner Trustee and
the Loan Trustee, for any liability under such Indenture. Except when American
has assumed any Leased Aircraft Notes, all amounts payable under any Leased
Aircraft Notes (other than payments made in connection with an optional
redemption or purchase of Leased Aircraft Notes by the related Owner Trustee or
the related Owner Participant) will be made only from the assets subject to the
lien of the Indenture with respect to such Aircraft and their proceeds
(including rent payable by American under the Lease with respect to such Leased
Aircraft), or from any applicable liquidity facility or like arrangement.
 
     American's obligations under each Owned Aircraft Indenture and under the
Owned Aircraft Notes will be general obligations of American.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   25
 
DEFEASANCE OF THE INDENTURES AND THE EQUIPMENT NOTES IN CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES
 
     Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
obligations under the applicable Indenture of, with respect to any Leased
Aircraft Notes, the related Owner Trustee or, with respect to any Owned Aircraft
Notes, American will be deemed to have been discharged (except for certain
obligations, including the obligations to register the transfer or exchange of
Equipment Notes, to replace stolen, lost, destroyed or mutilated Equipment Notes
and to maintain paying agencies and hold money for payment in trust) on the date
of irrevocable deposit with the related Loan Trustee of money or certain
obligations of the United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof the
payment of which is backed by the full faith and credit of the United States
which, through the payment of principal and interest in respect thereof in
accordance with their terms, will provide money in an aggregate amount
sufficient to pay when due (including as a consequence of redemption in respect
of which notice is given on or prior to the date of such deposit) principal of,
premium, if any, and interest on all Equipment Notes issued thereunder in
accordance with the terms of such Indenture. Such discharge may occur only if,
among other things, there has been published by the Internal Revenue Service a
ruling to the effect that holders of such Equipment Notes will not recognize
income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such
deposit, defeasance and discharge and will be subject to federal income tax on
the same amounts and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been
the case if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred.
 
     Upon such defeasance, or upon payment in full of the principal of, premium,
if any, and interest on all Equipment Notes issued under any Indenture on the
maturity date therefor or deposit with the applicable Loan Trustee of money
sufficient therefor no earlier than one year prior to the date of such maturity,
the holders of such Equipment Notes will have no beneficial interest in or other
rights with respect to the related Aircraft or other assets subject to the lien
of such Indenture and such lien will terminate.
 
ASSUMPTION OF OBLIGATIONS BY AMERICAN
 
     If specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement with respect to any
Leased Aircraft, American may purchase such Leased Aircraft prior to the end of
the term of the related Lease and, in connection with such purchase, may assume
on a full recourse basis all of the obligations of the Owner Trustee (other than
its obligations in its individual capacity) under the Indenture with respect to
such Aircraft, including the obligations to make payments in respect of the
related Leased Aircraft Notes. In such event, certain relevant provisions of the
related Lease, including (among others) provisions relating to maintenance,
possession and use of the related Aircraft, liens, insurance and events of
default will be deemed to be incorporated into such Indenture, and the Leased
Aircraft Notes issued under such Indenture will continue to be outstanding and
secured by such Aircraft. The terms and conditions of any such assumption will
be described in the applicable Prospectus Supplement.
 
OWNER PARTICIPANT; REVISIONS TO AGREEMENTS
 
     If specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, at the time Pass
Through Certificates are issued, American may still be seeking Owner
Participants with respect to the trusts relating to certain of the Aircraft.
American or an affiliate will hold the beneficial interest under the trust
agreement relating to each such Aircraft until the date upon which a prospective
Owner Participant commits to participate in the purchase price of such Aircraft.
Any outside limit on such date will be specified in the applicable Prospectus
Supplement. American or its affiliates will transfer to such Owner Participant
on such date American's or such affiliate's beneficial interest under such trust
agreement. Such prospective Owner Participants may request revisions to the
participation agreement, Lease, trust agreement and Indenture so that the terms
of such agreements applicable to these Aircraft may differ from the description
of such agreements contained in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Such
Prospectus Supplement will describe the extent to which such terms can be varied
at the request of prospective Owner Participants.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   26
 
                              CREDIT ENHANCEMENTS
 
RANKING; CROSS-SUBORDINATION
 
     Some of the Equipment Notes related to a specific Aircraft may be
subordinated and junior in right of payment to other Equipment Notes or other
debt related to the same or certain related Aircraft. In such event, the
applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe the terms of such subordination,
including the priority of distributions among such classes of Equipment Notes,
the ability of each such class of Equipment Notes to exercise remedies with
respect to the relevant Aircraft (and, if such Aircraft are Leased Aircraft, the
Leases) and certain other intercreditor terms and provisions.
 
     The Equipment Notes issued under an Indenture may be held in more than one
Trust, and a Trust may hold Equipment Notes issued under more than one related
Indenture. Unless otherwise described in a Prospectus Supplement, however, only
Equipment Notes having the same priority of payment may be held in the same
Trust. A Trust that holds Equipment Notes that are junior in payment priority to
the Equipment Notes held in another related Trust formed as part of the same
offering of Pass Through Certificates as a practical matter will be subordinated
to such latter Trust. In addition, the Trustees on behalf of one or more Trusts
may enter into an intercreditor or subordination agreement that establishes
priorities among series of Pass Through Certificates or provides that
distributions on the Pass Through Certificates will be made to the
Certificateholders of a certain Trust or Trusts before they are made to the
Certificateholders of one or more other Trusts. For example, such an agreement
may provide that payments made to a Trust on account of a subordinate class of
Equipment Notes issued under one Indenture may be subordinated to the prior
payment of all amounts owing to Certificateholders of a Trust that holds senior
Equipment Notes issued under that Indenture or any related Indentures.
 
     The applicable Prospectus Supplement will describe any such intercreditor
or subordination agreement or arrangements and the relevant cross-subordination
provisions. Such description will specify the percentage of Certificateholders
under any Trust that is permitted to (1) grant waivers of defaults under any
related Indenture, (2) consent to the amendment or modification of any related
Indenture or (3) direct the exercise of remedies under any related Indenture.
Payments made on account of the Pass Through Certificates of a particular series
also may be subordinated to the rights of the provider of any Liquidity Facility
described below.
 
LIQUIDITY FACILITY
 
     The applicable Prospectus Supplement may provide that a "Liquidity
Facility" will support one or more payments of principal, premium, if any, or
interest on the Equipment Notes of one or more series, or one or more
distributions in respect of the Pass Through Certificates of one or more series.
A Liquidity Facility may include a letter of credit, a revolving credit
agreement, an insurance policy, surety bond or financial guaranty, or any other
type of agreement or arrangement for the provision of liquidity support. The
institution or institutions providing any Liquidity Facility will be identified
in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise provided in the
applicable Prospectus Supplement, the provider of any Liquidity Facility will
have a senior claim on the assets securing the affected Equipment Notes and on
the Trust Property of the affected Trusts.
 
                    CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES
 
     The following is a general discussion of the principal federal income tax
consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of Pass Through
Certificates to a Certificate Owner that purchases Pass Through Certificates in
the initial offering thereof at the offering price set forth in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement and holds such Pass Through Certificates as capital
assets. This discussion should be read in conjunction with any additional
discussion of federal income tax consequences included in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement. The discussion is based on laws, regulations, rulings and
decisions in effect as of the date hereof, all of which are subject to change,
possibly with retroactive effect, or different interpretation. The discussion
does not address all of the federal income tax consequences that may be relevant
to all Certificate
                                       24
<PAGE>   27
 
Owners in light of their particular circumstances (including, for example, any
special rules applicable to tax-exempt organizations, broker-dealers, insurance
companies and foreign investors). The statements of law and legal conclusion set
forth herein are based upon the opinion of Debevoise & Plimpton, counsel to
American. Persons considering an investment in the Pass Through Certificates
should consult their own tax advisors regarding the federal, state, local and
any other tax consequences to them of the purchase, ownership and disposition of
Pass Through Certificates in light of their own particular circumstances. The
Trusts are not indemnified for any federal income taxes that may be imposed upon
them, and the imposition of any such taxes on a Trust could result in a
reduction in the amounts available for distribution to the Certificate Owners of
such Trust.
 
GENERAL
 
     The Trusts will not be classified as associations taxable as corporations
and, accordingly, will not themselves be subject to federal income taxation.
Except to the extent discussed in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, based
upon an interpretation of analogous authorities under existing law, each Trust
should be classified as a grantor trust for federal income tax purposes. The
discussion below assumes that the Trusts will be classified as grantor trusts.
 
     Each Certificate Owner will be treated as the owner of a pro rata undivided
interest in each Equipment Note and any other property held in the related Trust
and will be required to report on its federal income tax return its pro rata
share of the entire income from each of the Equipment Notes and any other
property held in the related Trust, in accordance with such Certificate Owner's
method of accounting. A Certificate Owner using the cash method of accounting
must take into account its pro rata share of income as and when received by the
Trustee. A Certificate Owner using an accrual method of accounting must take
into account its pro rata share of income as it accrues or is received by the
Trustee, whichever is earlier.
 
     A purchaser of a Pass Through Certificate will be treated as purchasing an
interest in each Equipment Note and any other property in the related Trust at a
price determined by allocating the purchase price paid for the Pass Through
Certificate among such Equipment Notes and other property in proportion to their
fair market values at the time of purchase of the Pass Through Certificate.
 
SALES OF PASS THROUGH CERTIFICATES
 
     A Certificate Owner that sells a Pass Through Certificate will recognize
capital gain or loss (in the aggregate) equal to the difference between the
amount realized on the sale (except to the extent attributable to accrued
interest, which will be taxable as interest income if not previously included in
income) and such Certificate Owner's adjusted tax basis in the Pass Through
Certificate. Any such gain or loss generally will be long-term capital gain or
loss if the Pass Through Certificate was held for more than one year (except to
the extent attributable to any property held by the related Trust for one year
or less). Any long-term capital gains with respect to the Pass Through
Certificates are taxable to corporate taxpayers at the rates applicable to
ordinary income and to individual taxpayers at a maximum rate of 20%. Any
capital losses will be deductible by corporate taxpayers only to the extent of
capital gains and by an individual taxpayer only to the extent of capital gains
plus $3,000 of other income.
 
BOND PREMIUM
 
     A Certificate Owner generally will be considered to have acquired an
interest in an Equipment Note held in the related Trust at a bond premium to the
extent such Certificate Owner's tax basis allocable to such Equipment Note
exceeds the remaining principal amount of the Equipment Note allocable to such
Certificate Owner's Pass Through Certificate. In that event, a Certificate Owner
may, in certain circumstances, be able to amortize that bond premium (generally
on a constant yield basis) as an offset to interest income with corresponding
reductions in such Certificate Owner's tax basis in such Equipment Note. Special
rules apply to an Equipment Note that may be called at a redemption premium
prior to maturity. It is unclear how these rules apply to an Equipment Note when
there is more than one possible call date and the amount of any redemption
premium is uncertain. Certificate Owners should consult their own tax advisors
regarding the
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   28
 
advisability and consequences of an election to amortize any bond premium with
respect to the Equipment Notes.
 
ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT
 
     Except to the extent specified in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
Equipment Notes will not be issued with original issue discount unless certain
aggregation rules set forth in the Treasury regulations apply. Under those
rules, if one investor purchases Pass Through Certificates issued by more than
one Trust, certain of that investor's interests in the Equipment Notes in those
Trusts must in certain circumstances be treated together as a single debt
instrument, which, for purposes of calculating and amortizing any original issue
discount, has a single issue price, maturity date, stated redemption price at
maturity and yield to maturity. If the aggregation rules apply to an investor,
such Equipment Notes could be treated with respect to such investor as having
been issued with original issue discount. Generally, a holder of a debt
instrument issued with original issue discount that is not de minimis must
include such original issue discount in income for federal income tax purposes
as it accrues, in advance of the receipt of the cash attributable to such
income, under a method that takes into account the compounding of interest.
Certificate Owners should consult their own tax advisors regarding the
aggregation rules.
 
BACKUP WITHHOLDING
 
     Payments made on Pass Through Certificates, and proceeds from the sale of
Pass Through Certificates to or through certain brokers, may be subject to a
"backup" withholding tax of 31% unless the Certificate Owner complies with
certain reporting procedures or is exempt from such requirements. Any such
withheld amounts will be allowed as a credit against the Certificate Owner's
federal income tax and may entitle such Certificate Owner to a refund if the
required information is furnished to the Internal Revenue Service. Certain
penalties may be imposed by the Internal Revenue Service on a Certificate Owner
who is required to supply information but who does not do so in the proper
manner.
 
                           CERTAIN CONNECTICUT TAXES
 
     The Trustee is a national banking association with its corporate trust
office in Connecticut. Bingham Dana LLP, counsel to the Trustee, has advised
American that, in its opinion, under currently applicable law, assuming that
each Trust will not be taxable as a corporation for federal income tax purposes,
but, rather, will be classified for such purposes as a grantor trust or as a
partnership, (i) the Trusts will not be subject to any tax (including, without
limitation, net or gross income, tangible or intangible property, net worth,
capital, franchise or doing business tax), fee or other governmental charge
under the laws of the State of Connecticut or any political subdivision thereof
and (ii) Certificate Owners that are not residents of or otherwise subject to
tax in Connecticut will not be subject to any tax (including, without
limitation, net or gross income, tangible or intangible property, net worth,
capital, franchise or doing business tax), fee or other governmental charge
under the laws of the State of Connecticut or any political subdivision thereof
as a result of purchasing, owning (including receiving payments with respect to)
or selling a Pass Through Certificate. Neither the Trusts nor the Certificate
Owners will be indemnified for any state or local taxes imposed on them, and the
imposition of any such taxes on a Trust could result in a reduction in the
amounts available for distribution to the Certificate Owners of such Trust. In
general, should a Certificate Owner or a Trust be subject to any state or local
tax that would not be imposed if the Trust were administered in a different
jurisdiction in the United States or if the Trustee were located in a different
jurisdiction in the United States, the Trustee will either relocate the
administration of the Trust to such other jurisdiction or resign and, in the
event of such a resignation, a new Trustee in such other jurisdiction will be
appointed.
 
                              ERISA CONSIDERATIONS
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, Pass
Through Certificates may, subject to certain legal restrictions, be purchased
and held by an employee benefit plan (a "Plan") subject to Title I of the
Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended ("ERISA"), or an
individual
                                       26
<PAGE>   29
 
retirement account or an employee benefit plan subject to section 4975 of the
Internal Revenue Code. A fiduciary of a Plan must determine that the purchase
and holding of a Pass Through Certificate is consistent with its fiduciary
duties under ERISA and does not result in a non-exempt prohibited transaction as
defined in Section 406 of ERISA or Section 4975 of the Internal Revenue Code.
Employee benefit plans which are governmental plans (as defined in Section 3(32)
of ERISA) and certain church plans (as defined in Section 3(33) of ERISA) are
not subject to the fiduciary responsibility provisions of ERISA. The
Certificates may, subject to certain legal restrictions, be purchased and held
by such plans.
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     The Pass Through Certificates being offered hereby may be sold in any one
or more of the following ways from time to time: (i) through agents; (ii) to or
through underwriters; (iii) through dealers; and (iv) directly to other
purchasers.
 
     The distribution of the Pass Through Certificates may be effected from time
to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be
changed, at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to
such prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.
 
     Offers to purchase Pass Through Certificates may be solicited by agents
designated by American from time to time. Any such agent involved in the offer
or sale of the Pass Through Certificates in respect of which this Prospectus is
delivered will be named, and any commissions payable by American to such agent
will be set forth, in the applicable Prospectus Supplement. Unless otherwise
indicated in such Prospectus Supplement, any such agent will be acting on a best
efforts basis for the period of its appointment. Any such agent may be deemed to
be an underwriter, as that term is defined in the Securities Act, of the Pass
Through Certificates so offered and sold.
 
     If Pass Through Certificates are sold by means of an underwritten offering,
American will execute an underwriting agreement with an underwriter or
underwriters at the time an agreement for such sale is reached, and the names of
the specific managing underwriter or underwriters, as well as any other
underwriters, and the terms of the transaction, including commissions, discounts
and any other compensation of the underwriters and dealers, if any, will be set
forth in the Prospectus Supplement which will be used by the underwriters to
make resales of the Pass Through Certificates in respect of which this
Prospectus is delivered to the public. If underwriters are utilized in the sale
of the Pass Through Certificates in respect of which this Prospectus is
delivered, the Pass Through Certificates will be acquired by the underwriters
for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one or more
transactions, including negotiated transactions, at fixed public offering prices
or at varying prices determined by the underwriters at the time of sale. Pass
Through Certificates may be offered to the public either through underwriting
syndicates represented by managing underwriters or directly by the managing
underwriters. If any underwriter or underwriters are utilized in the sale of the
Pass Through Certificates, unless otherwise indicated in the Prospectus
Supplement, the underwriting agreement will provide that the obligations of the
underwriters are subject to certain conditions precedent and that the
underwriters with respect to a sale of Pass Through Certificates will be
obligated to purchase all such Pass Through Certificates if any are purchased.
 
     American does not intend to apply for listing of the Pass Through
Certificates on a national securities exchange. If the Pass Through Certificates
are sold by means of an underwritten offering, the underwriters may make a
market in the Pass Through Certificates as permitted by applicable laws and
regulations. No underwriter would be obligated, however, to make a market in the
Pass Through Certificates and any such market-making could be discontinued at
any time at the sole discretion of such underwriter. Accordingly, no assurance
can be given as to the liquidity of, or trading markets for, the Pass Through
Certificates.
 
     If a dealer is utilized in the sale of the Pass Through Certificates in
respect of which this Prospectus is delivered, such Pass Through Certificates
will be sold by the Trustee to the dealer as principal. The dealer may then
resell such Pass Through Certificates to the public at varying prices to be
determined by such dealer at the time of resale. Any such dealer may be deemed
to be an underwriter, as such term is defined in the
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   30
 
Securities Act, of the Pass Through Certificates so offered and sold. The name
of the dealer and the terms of the transaction will be set forth in the
Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.
 
     Offers to purchase Pass Through Certificates may be solicited directly and
the sale thereof may be made directly to institutional investors or others, who
may be deemed to be underwriters within the meaning of the Securities Act with
respect to any resale thereof. The terms of any such sales will be described in
the Prospectus Supplement relating thereto.
 
     Agents, underwriters and dealers may be entitled under relevant agreements
to indemnification or contribution by American against certain liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act.
 
     Agents, underwriters and dealers may be customers of, engage in
transactions with, or perform services for, AMR Corporation, American and AMR
Corporation's other subsidiaries.
 
     If so indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, agents,
underwriters or dealers may be authorized to solicit offers by certain
institutions to purchase Pass Through Certificates at the public offering prices
set forth in the applicable Prospectus Supplement pursuant to delayed delivery
contracts ("Contracts") providing for payment and delivery on a specified date
or dates. A commission indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement will be
paid to agents, underwriters and dealers soliciting purchases of Pass Through
Certificates pursuant to Contracts accepted by American.
 
                                 LEGAL OPINIONS
 
     Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable Prospectus Supplement, the
validity of the Pass Through Certificates offered hereby will be passed upon for
American by Debevoise & Plimpton, 875 Third Avenue, New York, New York 10022 and
for any agents, underwriters or dealers by Shearman & Sterling, 599 Lexington
Avenue, New York, New York 10022. Unless otherwise indicated in the applicable
Prospectus Supplement, Debevoise & Plimpton and Shearman & Sterling will rely on
the opinion of counsel for the Trustee as to certain matters relating to the
authorization, execution and delivery of such Pass Through Certificates by, and
the valid and binding effect thereof on, such Trustee and on the opinion of Anne
H. McNamara, Esq., Senior Vice President and General Counsel of American, as to
certain matters relating to the authorization, execution and delivery of the
Basic Agreement by American.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, have audited our consolidated
financial statements and schedule included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1998, as set forth in their reports, which are
incorporated in this Prospectus by reference. Our consolidated financial
statements and schedule are incorporated by reference in reliance on their
reports, given on their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   31
 
                                    PART II
 
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.
 
     The following table sets forth the expenses (other than underwriting
discounts and commissions) expected to be incurred in connection with the
offering described in this Registration Statement. All amounts are estimated
except the registration fee.
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                           <C>
Registration Fee............................................  $  347,500
Trustees' Fees and Expenses.................................  $   75,000
Printing Costs for Registration Statement, Prospectus and
  related documents.........................................  $  200,000
Accounting Fees and Expenses................................  $  125,000
Rating Agency Fees..........................................  $  200,000
Legal Fees and Expenses.....................................  $  500,000
Blue Sky Fees and Expenses..................................  $    7,500
Miscellaneous...............................................  $  145,000
                                                              ----------
          Total.............................................  $1,600,000
                                                              ==========
</TABLE>
 
ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.
 
     Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended, provides
in regard to indemnification of directors and officers as follows:
 
     SEC. 145.  Indemnification of officers, directors, employees and agents;
insurance
 
          (a) A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or
     is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending
     or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
     administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the right of
     the corporation) by reason of the fact that such person is or was a
     director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was
     serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee
     or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other
     enterprise, against expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines
     and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by such
     person in connection with such action, suit or proceeding if such person
     acted in good faith and in a manner such person reasonably believed to be
     in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with
     respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to
     believe such person's conduct was unlawful. The termination of any action,
     suit or proceeding by judgment, order, settlement, conviction, or upon a
     plea of nolo contendere or its equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a
     presumption that the person did not act in good faith and in a manner which
     such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best
     interests of the corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or
     proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that such person's conduct was
     unlawful.
 
          (b) A corporation shall have power to indemnify any person who was or
     is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened, pending
     or completed action or suit by or in the right of the corporation to
     procure a judgment in its favor by reason of the fact that such person is
     or was a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or
     was serving at the request of the corporation as a director, officer,
     employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust
     or other enterprise against expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually
     and reasonably incurred by such person in connection with the defense or
     settlement of such action or suit if such person acted in good faith and in
     a manner such person reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the
     best interests of the corporation and except that no indemnification shall
     be made in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person
     shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to
     the extent that the Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or
     suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the
     adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case,
     such person is
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   32
 
     fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such expenses which the
     Court of Chancery or such other court shall deem proper.
 
          (c) To the extent that a present or former director or officer of a
     corporation has been successful on the merits or otherwise in defense of
     any action, suit or proceeding referred to in subsections (a) and (b) of
     this section, or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein, such
     person shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees)
     actually and reasonably incurred by such person in connection therewith.
 
          (d) Any indemnification under subsections (a) and (b) of this section
     (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the corporation only as
     authorized in the specific case upon a determination that indemnification
     of the present or former director, officer, employee or agent is proper in
     the circumstances because such person has met the applicable standard of
     conduct set forth in subsections (a) and (b) of this section. Such
     determination shall be made, with respect to a person who is a director or
     officer at the time of such determination, (1) by a majority vote of the
     directors who are not parties to such action, suit or proceeding, even
     though less than a quorum, or (2) by a committee of such directors
     designated by majority vote of such directors, even though less than a
     quorum, or (3) if there are no such directors, or if such directors so
     direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or (4) by the
     stockholders.
 
          (e) Expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by an officer or
     director in defending any civil, criminal, administrative or investigative
     action, suit or proceeding may be paid by the corporation in advance of the
     final disposition of such action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an
     undertaking by or on behalf of such director or officer to repay such
     amount if it shall ultimately be determined that such person is not
     entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as authorized in this
     section. Such expenses (including attorneys' fees) incurred by former
     directors and officers or other employees and agents may be so paid upon
     such terms and conditions, if any, as the corporation deems appropriate.
 
          (f) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or
     granted pursuant to, the other subsections of this section shall not be
     deemed exclusive of any other rights to which those seeking indemnification
     or advancement of expenses may be entitled under any bylaw, agreement, vote
     of stockholders or disinterested directors or otherwise, both as to action
     in such person's official capacity and as to action in another capacity
     while holding such office.
 
          (g) A corporation shall have power to purchase and maintain insurance
     on behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or
     agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request of the
     corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
     corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against
     any liability asserted against such person and incurred by such person in
     any such capacity, or arising out of such person's status as such, whether
     or not the corporation would have the power to indemnify such person
     against such liability under this section.
 
          (h) For purposes of this section, references to "the corporation"
     shall include, in addition to the resulting corporation, any constituent
     corporation (including any constituent of a constituent) absorbed in a
     consolidation or merger which, if its separate existence had continued,
     would have had power and authority to indemnify its directors, officers,
     and employees or agents, so that any person who is or was a director,
     officer, employee or agent of such constituent corporation, or is or was
     serving at the request of such constituent corporation as a director,
     officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint
     venture, trust or other enterprise, shall stand in the same position under
     this section with respect to the resulting or surviving corporation as such
     person would have with respect to such constituent corporation if its
     separate existence had continued.
 
          (i) For purposes of this section, references to "other enterprises"
     shall include employee benefit plans; references to "fines" shall include
     any excise taxes assessed on a person with respect to any employee benefit
     plan; and references to "serving at the request of the corporation" shall
     include any service as a director, officer, employee or agent of the
     corporation which imposes duties on, or involves services by, such
     director, officer, employee, or agent with respect to an employee benefit
     plan, its
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   33
 
     participants or beneficiaries; and a person who acted in good faith and in
     a manner such person reasonably believed to be in the interest of the
     participants and beneficiaries of an employee benefit plan shall be deemed
     to have acted in a manner "not opposed to the best interests of the
     corporation" as referred to in this section.
 
          (j) The indemnification and advancement of expenses provided by, or
     granted pursuant to, this section shall, unless otherwise provided when
     authorized or ratified, continue as to a person who has ceased to be a
     director, officer, employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of the
     heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.
 
          (k) The Court of Chancery is hereby vested with exclusive jurisdiction
     to hear and determine all actions for advancement of expenses or
     indemnification brought under this section or under any bylaw, agreement,
     vote of stockholders or disinterested directors, or otherwise. The Court of
     Chancery may summarily determine a corporation's obligation to advance
     expenses (including attorneys' fees).
 
     Article VII of American's By-Laws provides in regard to indemnification of
directors and officers as follows:
 
          Section 1.  Nature of Indemnity.  The corporation shall indemnify any
     person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
     threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
     criminal, administrative or investigative by reason of the fact that he is
     or was or has agreed to become a director or officer of the corporation, or
     is or was serving or has agreed to serve at the request of the corporation
     as a director or officer of another corporation, partnership, joint
     venture, trust or other enterprise, or by reason of any action alleged to
     have been taken or omitted in such capacity, and may indemnify any person
     who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to such an action
     by reason of the fact that he is or was or has agreed to become an employee
     or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving or has agreed to serve at
     the request of the corporation as an employee or agent of another
     corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against
     expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in
     settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him or on his behalf in
     connection with such action, suit or proceeding and any appeal therefrom,
     if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in
     or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect
     to any criminal action or proceeding had no reasonable cause to believe his
     conduct was unlawful; except that in the case of an action or suit by or in
     the right of the corporation to procure a judgment in its favor (1) such
     indemnification shall be limited to expenses (including attorneys' fees)
     actually and reasonably incurred by such person in the defense or
     settlement of such action or suit, and (2) no indemnification shall be made
     in respect of any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have
     been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent
     that the Delaware Court of Chancery or the court in which such action or
     suit was brought shall determine upon application that, despite the
     adjudication of liability but in view of all the circumstances of the case,
     such person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity for such
     expenses which the Delaware Court of Chancery or such other court shall
     deem proper.
 
          The termination of any action, suit or proceeding by judgment, order,
     settlement, conviction, or upon a plea of nolo contendere or its
     equivalent, shall not, of itself, create a presumption that the person did
     not act in good faith and in a manner which he reasonably believed to be in
     or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, with respect
     to any criminal action or proceeding, had reasonable cause to believe that
     his conduct was unlawful.
 
          Section 2.  Successful Defense.  To the extent that a director,
     officer, employee or agent of the corporation has been successful on the
     merits or otherwise in defense of any action, suit or proceeding referred
     to in Section l hereof or in defense of any claim, issue or matter therein,
     he shall be indemnified against expenses (including attorneys' fees)
     actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection therewith.
 
          Section 3.  Determination That Indemnification Is Proper.  (a) Any
     indemnification of a director or officer of the corporation under Section l
     hereof (unless ordered by a court) shall be made by the
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   34
 
     corporation unless a determination is made that indemnification of the
     director or officer is not proper in the circumstances because he has not
     met the applicable standard of conduct set forth in Section 1 hereof. Such
     determination shall be made, with respect to a director or officer, (1) by
     a majority vote of the directors who are not parties to such action, suit
     or proceeding, even though less than a quorum, or (2) by a committee of
     such directors designated by a majority vote of such directors, even though
     less than a quorum, or (3) if there are no such directors, or if such
     directors so direct, by independent legal counsel in a written opinion, or
     (4) by the stockholders.
 
          (b) Any indemnification of an employee or agent of the corporation
     (who is not also a director or officer of the corporation) under Section 1
     hereof (unless ordered by a court) may be made by the corporation upon a
     determination that indemnification of the employee or agent is proper in
     the circumstances because such person has met the applicable standard of
     conduct set forth in Section l hereof. Such determination, in the case of
     an employee or agent, may be made (1) in accordance with the procedures
     outlined in the second sentence of this Section 3(a), or (2) by an officer
     of the corporation, upon delegation of such authority by a majority of the
     Board of Directors.
 
          Section 4.  Advance Payment of Expenses.  Expenses (including
     attorneys' fees) incurred by a director or officer in defending any civil,
     criminal, administrative or investigative action, suit or proceeding shall
     be paid by the corporation in advance of the final disposition of such
     action, suit or proceeding upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf
     of the director or officer to repay such amount if it shall ultimately be
     determined that he is not entitled to be indemnified by the corporation as
     authorized in this Article. Such expenses (including attorneys' fees)
     incurred by other employees and agents may be so paid upon such terms and
     conditions, if any, as the corporation deems appropriate. The board of
     directors may authorize the corporation's counsel to represent a director,
     officer, employee or agent in any action, suit or proceeding, whether or
     not the corporation is a party to such action, suit or proceeding.
 
          Section 5.  Procedure for Indemnification of Directors or
     Officers.  Any indemnification of a director or officer of the corporation
     under Sections 1 and 2, or advance of costs, charges and expenses of a
     director or officer under Section 4 of this Article, shall be made
     promptly, and in any event within 60 days, upon the written request of the
     director or officer. If the corporation fails to respond within 60 days,
     then the request for indemnification shall be deemed to be approved. The
     right to indemnification or advances as granted by this Article shall be
     enforceable by the director or officer in any court of competent
     jurisdiction if the corporation denies such request, in whole or in part.
     Such person's costs and expenses incurred in connection with successfully
     establishing his right to indemnification, in whole or in part, in any such
     action shall also be indemnified by the corporation. It shall be a defense
     to any such action (other than an action brought to enforce a claim for the
     advance of costs, charges and expenses under Section 4 of this Article
     where the required undertaking, if any, has been received by the
     corporation) that the claimant has not met the standard of conduct set
     forth in Section 1 of this Article, but the burden of proving such defense
     shall be on the corporation. Neither the failure of the corporation
     (including its board of directors or a committee thereof, its independent
     legal counsel, and its stockholders) to have made a determination prior to
     the commencement of such action that indemnification of the claimant is
     proper in the circumstances because he has met the applicable standard of
     conduct set forth in Section 1 of this Article, nor the fact that there has
     been an actual determination by the corporation (including its board of
     directors or a committee thereof, its independent legal counsel, and its
     stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of
     conduct, shall be a defense to the action or create a presumption that the
     claimant has not met the applicable standard of conduct.
 
          Section 6.  Survival; Preservation of Other Rights.  The foregoing
     indemnification provisions shall be deemed to be a contract between the
     corporation and each director, officer, employee and agent who serves in
     such capacity at any time while these provisions as well as the relevant
     provisions of the Delaware Corporation Law are in effect and any repeal or
     modification thereof shall not affect any right or obligation then existing
     with respect to any state of facts then or previously existing or any
     action, suit, or proceeding previously or thereafter brought or threatened
     based in whole or in part upon any such state
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>   35
 
     of facts. Such a "contract right" may not be modified retroactively without
     the consent of such director, officer, employee or agent.
 
          The indemnification provided by this Article VII shall not be deemed
     exclusive of any other rights to which those indemnified may be entitled
     under any bylaw, agreement, vote of stockholders or disinterested directors
     or otherwise, both as to action in his official capacity and as to action
     in another capacity while holding such office, and shall continue as to a
     person who has ceased to be a director, officer, employee or agent and
     shall inure to the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of
     such a person.
 
          Section 7.  Insurance.  The corporation shall purchase and maintain
     insurance on behalf of any person who is or was or has agreed to become a
     director or officer of the corporation, or is or was serving at the request
     of the corporation as director or officer of another corporation,
     partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise against any liability
     asserted against him and incurred by him or on his behalf in any such
     capacity, or arising out of his status as such, whether or not the
     corporation would have the power to indemnify him against such liability
     under the provisions of this Article, provided that such insurance is
     available on acceptable terms, which determination shall be made by a vote
     of a majority of the entire board of directors.
 
          Section 8.  Savings Clause.  If this Article or any portion hereof
     shall be invalidated on any ground by any court of competent jurisdiction,
     then the corporation shall nevertheless indemnify each director or officer
     and may indemnify each employee or agent of the corporation as to costs,
     charges and expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and
     amounts paid in settlement with respect to any action, suit or proceeding,
     whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, including an
     action by or in the right of the corporation, to the full extent permitted
     by any applicable portion of this Article that shall not have been
     invalidated and to the full extent permitted by applicable law.
 
     Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law, as amended,
provides in regard to the limitation of liability of directors and officers as
follows:
 
          (b) In addition to the matters required to be set forth in the
     certificate of incorporation by subsection (a) of this section, the
     certificate of incorporation may also contain any or all of the following
     matters:
 
                                    * * * *
 
          (7) A provision eliminating or limiting the personal liability of a
     director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for
     breach of fiduciary duty as a director, provided that such provision shall
     not eliminate or limit the liability of a director: (i) For any breach of
     the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its stockholders;
     (ii)for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional
     misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (iii) under sec.174 of this
     title; or (iv) for any transaction from which the director derived an
     improper personal benefit. No such provision shall eliminate or limit the
     liability of a director for any act or omission occurring prior to the date
     when such provision becomes effective. All references in this paragraph to
     a director shall also be deemed to refer (x) to a member of the governing
     body of a corporation which is not authorized to issue capital stock, and
     (y) to such other person or persons, if any, who, pursuant to a provision
     of the certificate of incorporation in accordance with sec.141(a) of this
     title, exercise or perform any of the powers or duties otherwise conferred
     or imposed upon the board of directors by this title.
 
     Article Ninth of American's Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides
in regard to the limitation of liability of directors and officers as follows:
 
          NINTH: No director of the corporation shall be liable to the
     corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for breach of
     fiduciary duty as a director, except for liability (i) for any breach of
     the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation or its shareholders, (ii)
     for acts or omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional
     misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under Section 174 of the
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>   36
 
     Delaware General Corporation Law, or (iv) for any transaction from which
     the director derived an improper personal benefit.
 
     American's directors and officers are also insured against claims arising
out of the performance of their duties in such capacities.
 
     Reference is made to Section 6 of the form of Underwriting Agreement filed
as Exhibit 1(a) to this Registration Statement for American's and the
Underwriters' respective proposed agreements to indemnify each other, and to
provide contribution in circumstances where indemnification is unavailable.
 
ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER                     DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
- -------                    -----------------------
<C>      <S>
   1(a)  Form of Underwriting Agreement*
   4(a)  Form of Pass Through Trust Agreement between American
         Airlines, Inc. and State Street Bank and Trust Company of
         Connecticut, National Association
   4(b)  Form of Pass Through Certificate (included in Exhibit 4(a))
   5(a)  Opinion of Anne H. McNamara, Senior Vice President and
         General Counsel for American#
   5(b)  Opinion of Debevoise & Plimpton, counsel for American#
   5(c)  Opinion of Bingham Dana LLP, counsel for the Trustee#
      8  Tax Opinion of Debevoise & Plimpton, counsel for American
         (included in Exhibit 5(b))#
     12  Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges of
         American
  23(a)  Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
  23(b)  Consent of Anne H. McNamara, Senior Vice President and
         General Counsel for American (included in Exhibit 5(a))#
  23(c)  Consent of Debevoise & Plimpton, counsel for American
         (included in Exhibit 5(b))#
  23(d)  Consent of Bingham Dana LLP, counsel for the Trustee
         (included in Exhibit 5(c))#
     24  Powers of Attorney
     25  Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
*  The form of Underwriting Agreement will be filed as an exhibit to a report on
   Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.
 
# To be filed by amendment.
 
ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS.
 
(a) Rule 415 offering.
 
     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
 
          (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made
     of the securities registered hereby, a post-effective amendment to this
     Registration Statement:
 
              (i) To include any prospectus required by section 10(a)(3) of the
        Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act");
 
              (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
        after the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most
        recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the
        aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth
        in this Registration Statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any
        increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total
        dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was
        registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated
        maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed
        with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the
        changes in volume and price represent no more than 20% change in the
        maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of
        Registration Fee" table in the effective Registration Statement;
 
                                      II-6
<PAGE>   37
 
             (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan
        of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement
        or any material change to such information in this Registration
        Statement;
 
     provided, however, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (i) and
     (ii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a
     post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic
     reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant
     pursuant to section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
     1934 (the "Exchange Act") that are incorporated by reference in this
     Registration Statement.
 
          (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
     Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a
     new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and
     the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the
     initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
          (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment
     any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
     termination of the offering.
 
(b) Filings incorporating subsequent Exchange Act documents by reference.
 
     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the
Exchange Act (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's
annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is
incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a
new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
 
(c) Competitive Bids.
 
     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes (1) to use its best efforts to
distribute prior to the opening of bids, to prospective bidders, underwriters,
and dealers, a reasonable number of copies of a prospectus which at that time
meets the requirements of section 10(a) of the Securities Act, and relating to
the securities offered at competitive bidding, as contained in this Registration
Statement, together with any supplements thereto, and (2) to file an amendment
to this Registration Statement reflecting the results of bidding, the terms of
the reoffering and related matters to the extent required by the applicable
form, not later than the first use, authorized by the issuer after the opening
of bids, of a prospectus relating to the securities offered at competitive
bidding, unless no further public offering of such securities by the issuer and
no reoffering of such securities by the purchasers is proposed to be made.
 
(d) Acceleration of Effectiveness.
 
     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act
and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
 
(e) Registration Statement Permitted by Rule 430A under the Securities Act.
 
     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
 
          (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities
     Act, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of
     this Registration Statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and
                                      II-7
<PAGE>   38
 
     contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule
     424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be
     part of this Registration Statement as of the time it was declared
     effective.
 
          (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
     Act, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall
     be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities
     offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be
     deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
                                      II-8
<PAGE>   39
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, American
Airlines, Inc. certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets
all of the applicable requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused
this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Fort Worth, State of Texas, on this
24th day of March, 1999.
 
                                          AMERICAN AIRLINES, INC.
 
                                          By      /s/ ANNE H. McNAMARA
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                      ANNE H. MCNAMARA
                                             Senior Vice President and General
                                                           Counsel
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
            SIGNATURES                          TITLE
            ----------                          -----
<C>                                 <S>                                <C>
         DONALD J. CARTY            Chairman of the Board,          )   
                                      President and Chief           )   
                                      Executive Officer; Director   )
                                      (Principal Executive          )
                                      Officer)                      )
                                                                    )
         GERARD J. ARPEY            Senior Vice President and       )
                                      Chief Financial Officer       )
                                      (Principal Financial and      )
                                      Accounting Officer)           )
                                                                    )
          DAVID L. BOREN      )                                     )
        EDWARD A. BRENNAN     )                                     )                By /s/ ANNE H. McNAMARA
         AMANDO M. CODINA     )                                     )         ------------------------------------
          EARL G. GRAVES      )                                     )                   Anne H. McNamara
           DEE J. KELLY       )                                     )                   Attorney-in-Fact)
        ANN D. MCLAUGHLIN     )       Directors                     )                 Date: March 24, 1999
      CHARLES H. PISTOR, JR.  )                                     )
          JOE M. RODGERS      )                                     )
           JUDITH RODIN       )                                     )
          MAURICE SEGALL      )                                     )
                            
                             
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-9
<PAGE>   40
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT
NUMBER                     DESCRIPTION OF DOCUMENT
- -------                    -----------------------
<C>      <S>
   1(a)  Form of Underwriting Agreement*
   4(a)  Form of Pass Through Trust Agreement between American
         Airlines, Inc. and State Street Bank and Trust Company of
         Connecticut, National Association
   4(b)  Form of Pass Through Certificate (included in Exhibit 4(a))
   5(a)  Opinion of Anne H. McNamara, Senior Vice President and
         General Counsel for American#
   5(b)  Opinion of Debevoise & Plimpton, counsel for American#
   5(c)  Opinion of Bingham Dana LLP, counsel for the Trustee#
      8  Tax Opinion of Debevoise & Plimpton, counsel for American
         (included in Exhibit 5(b))#
     12  Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges of
         American
  23(a)  Consent of Ernst & Young LLP
  23(b)  Consent of Anne H. McNamara, Senior Vice President and
         General Counsel for American (included in Exhibit 5(a))#
  23(c)  Consent of Debevoise & Plimpton, counsel for American
         (included in Exhibit 5(b))#
  23(d)  Consent of Bingham Dana LLP, counsel for the Trustee
         (included in Exhibit 5(c))#
     24  Powers of Attorney
     25  Statement of Eligibility of Trustee on Form T-1
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
*  The form of Underwriting Agreement will be filed as an exhibit to a report on
   Form 8-K and incorporated herein by reference.
 
# To be filed by amendment.

<PAGE>   1
                                                                   EXHIBIT 4(a)


                          PASS THROUGH TRUST AGREEMENT

                             Dated as of [ ], 1999

                                    between

                            AMERICAN AIRLINES, INC.

                                      and

              STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY OF CONNECTICUT,
                             NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,

                                   as Trustee

















<PAGE>   2









                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----

                                   ARTICLE I
                                  DEFINITIONS
<S>               <C>                                                       <C>
Section 1.01.     Definitions .............................................   2
Section 1.02.     Compliance Certificates and Opinions ....................  12
Section 1.03.     Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee ..................  12
Section 1.04.     Directions of Certificateholders ........................  13

                                   ARTICLE II
                       ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES:
                         ACQUISITION OF TRUST PROPERTY

Section 2.01.     Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series ....................  15
Section 2.02.     Acquisition of Equipment Notes ..........................  17
Section 2.03.     Acceptance by Trustee  ..................................  19
Section 2.04.     Limitation of Powers ....................................  20

                                   ARTICLE III
                                THE CERTIFICATES

Section 3.01.     Form, Denomination and Execution of Certificates ........  20
Section 3.02.     Authentication of Certificates ..........................  21
Section 3.03.     Temporary Certificates ..................................  21
Section 3.04.     Transfer and Exchange ...................................  21
Section 3.05.     Book-Entry and Definitive Certificates ..................  22
Section 3.06.     Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates .......  24
Section 3.07.     Persons Deemed Owners ...................................  25
Section 3.08.     Cancellation ............................................  25
Section 3.09.     Limitation of Liability for Payments ....................  25
Section 3.10.     CUSIP Numbers ...........................................  26
</TABLE>


                                       i


<PAGE>   3







                                   ARTICLE IV
                          DISTRIBUTIONS; STATEMENTS TO
                               CERTIFICATEHOLDERS

<TABLE>
<S>               <C>                                                       <C>
Section 4.01.     Certificate Account and Special Payments Account ........  26
Section 4.02.     Distributions from Certificate Account and Special
                           Payments Account ...............................  27
Section 4.03.     Statements to Certificateholders ........................  29
Section 4.04.     Investment of Special Payment Moneys ....................  30

                                   ARTICLE V
                                  THE COMPANY

Section 5.01.     Maintenance of Corporate Existence ......................  30
Section 5.02.     Consolidation, Merger, Etc. .............................  30

                                   ARTICLE VI
                                    DEFAULT

Section 6.01.     Indenture Events of Default and Triggering Events .......  31
Section 6.02.     Incidents of Sale of Equipment Notes ....................  33
Section 6.03.     Judicial Proceedings Instituted by Trustee; Trustee
                           May Bring Suit .................................  33
Section 6.04.     Control by Certificateholders ...........................  34
Section 6.05.     Waiver of Past Defaults .................................  34
Section 6.06.     Right of Certificateholders to Receive Payments Not
                           to Be Impaired .................................  35
Section 6.07.     Certificateholders May Not Bring Suit Except Under
                           Certain Conditions .............................  35
Section 6.08.     Remedies Cumulative .....................................  36
Section 6.09.     Discontinuance of Proceedings ...........................  36
Section 6.10.     Undertaking for Costs ...................................  37

                                  ARTICLE VII
                                  THE TRUSTEE

Section 7.01.     Certain Duties and Responsibilities .....................  37
Section 7.02.     Notice of Defaults ......................................  38
Section 7.03.     Certain Rights of Trustee ...............................  38
Section 7.04.     Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of Certificates.  39
Section 7.05.     May Hold Certificates ...................................  40
Section 7.06.     Money Held in Trust .....................................  40
</TABLE>



                                      ii


<PAGE>   4

<TABLE>
<S>               <C>                                                       <C>
Section 7.07.     Compensation and Reimbursement ..........................  40
Section 7.08.     Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility .................  41
Section 7.09.     Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor .......  42
Section 7.10.     Acceptance of Appointment by Successor ..................  44
Section 7.11.     Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to
                           Business .......................................  44
Section 7.12.     Maintenance of Agencies .................................  45
Section 7.13.     Money for Certificate Payments to be Held in Trust ......  46
Section 7.14.     Registration of Equipment Notes in Trustee's Name .......  46
Section 7.15.     Representations and Warranties of Trustee ...............  47
Section 7.16.     Withholding Taxes; Information Reporting ................  48
Section 7.17.     Trustee's Liens .........................................  48
Section 7.18.     Preferential Collection of Claims .......................  48
Section 7.19.     Capacity in Which Acting ................................  49

                                  ARTICLE VIII
                CERTIFICATEHOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE

Section 8.01.     The Company to Furnish Trustee with Names and
                           Addresses of Certificateholders ................  49
Section 8.02.     Preservation of Information; Communications to
                           Certificateholders .............................  49
Section 8.03.     Reports by Trustee ......................................  49
Section 8.04.     Reports by the Company ..................................  49

                                   ARTICLE IX
                            SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENTS

Section 9.01.     Supplemental Agreements Without Consent of
                           Certificateholders .............................  50
Section 9.02.     Supplemental Agreements with Consent of
                           Certificateholders .............................  52
Section 9.03.     Documents Affecting Immunity or Indemnity ...............  53
Section 9.04.     Execution of Supplemental Agreements ....................  54
Section 9.05.     Effect of Supplemental Agreements .......................  54
Section 9.06.     Conformity with Trust Indenture Act .....................  54
Section 9.07.     Reference in Certificates to Supplemental Agreement .....  54

                                   ARTICLE X
               AMENDMENTS TO INDENTURES AND OTHER NOTE DOCUMENTS

Section 10.01.    Amendments and Supplements to Indentures and Other
                           Note Documents .................................  54
</TABLE>


                                      iii


<PAGE>   5


                                   ARTICLE XI
                             TERMINATION OF TRUSTS

<TABLE>
<S>                 <C>                                                     <C>
Section 11.01.      Termination of the Trusts .............................  55

                                  ARTICLE XII
                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

Section 12.01.      Limitation on Rights of Certificateholders ............  56
Section 12.02.      Certificates Nonassessable and Fully Paid .............  57
Section 12.03.      Registration of Equipment Notes in Name of
                           Subordination Agent ............................  57
Section 12.04.      Notices ...............................................  57
Section 12.05.      Governing Law .........................................  58
Section 12.06.      Severability of Provisions ............................  58
Section 12.07.      Trust Indenture Act Controls ..........................  59
Section 12.08.      Effect of Headings and Table of Contents ..............  59
Section 12.09.      Successors and Assigns ................................  59
Section 12.10.      Benefits of Agreement .................................  59
Section 12.11.      Legal Holidays ........................................  59
Section 12.12.      Counterparts ..........................................  59
Section 12.13.      Communication by Certificateholders with Other
                           Certificateholders .............................  60
Section 12.14.      Normal Commercial Relations ...........................  60
Section 12.15.      No Recourse Against Others ............................  60

EXHIBIT A - Form of Certificate ........................................... A-1
</TABLE>



                                      iv


<PAGE>   6



Reconciliation and tie between American Airlines Pass Through Trust Agreement,
dated as of [], 1998 and the Trust Indenture Act of 1939. This reconciliation
does not constitute part of the Pass Through Trust Agreement.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Trust Indenture Act                                  Pass Through Trust
 of 1939 Section                                     Agreement Section
- -------------------                                  ------------------
<S>                                                  <C>
310(a)(1)                                            7.08
   (a)(2)                                            7.08
312(a)                                               7.12; 8.01; 8.02
313(a)                                               8.03
313(b)                                               8.03
314(a)(1)-(3)                                        8.04(a)-(c)
      (a)(4)                                         8.04(d)
      (c)(1)                                         1.02
      (c)(2)                                         1.02
      (d)(1)                                         1.02; 7.13; 11.01
      (d)(2)                                         1.02; 7.13; 11.01
      (d)(3)                                         1.02; 2.01
      (e)                                            1.02
315(b)                                               7.02
315(c)                                               7.01(b)
316(a)(last sentence)                                1.04(c)
      (a)(1)(A)                                      6.04
      (a)(1)(B)                                      6.05
      (b)                                            6.06
      (c)                                            1.04(d)
317(a)(1)                                            6.03
      (b)                                            7.13
318(a)                                              12.07

</TABLE>




                                       v







<PAGE>   7





                          PASS THROUGH TRUST AGREEMENT

         This PASS THROUGH TRUST AGREEMENT, dated as of [], 1999 (the "Basic
Agreement"), between American Airlines, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and State
Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association, a national
banking association, as Trustee, is made with respect to the formation from
time to time of separate American Airlines Pass Through Trusts, and the
issuance from time to time of separate series of Pass Through Certificates
representing fractional undivided interests in the respective Trusts.

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

         WHEREAS, from time to time, the Company and the Trustee may enter into
a Trust Supplement (this and certain other defined terms used herein are
defined in Section 1.01) pursuant to which the Trustee shall declare the
creation of a separate Trust for the benefit of the Holders of the series of
Certificates to be issued in respect of such Trust, and the initial Holders of
the Certificates of such series, as the grantors of such Trust, by their
respective acceptances of the Certificates of such series, shall join in the
creation of such Trust with the Trustee;

         WHEREAS, all Certificates to be issued in respect of each separate
Trust will be issued as a separate series pursuant to this Agreement, will
evidence fractional undivided interests in such Trust and will have no rights,
benefits or interests in respect of any other separate Trust or the property
held therein, subject, however, to the provisions of any Intercreditor
Agreement to which one or more Trusts may be a party and to any provisions to
the contrary in any applicable Trust Supplement;

         WHEREAS, from time to time, pursuant to the terms and conditions of
this Agreement with respect to each separate Trust formed hereunder, the
Trustee on behalf of such Trust shall purchase one or more issues of Equipment
Notes having the identical interest rate as, and final maturity dates not later
than the final Regular Distribution Date of, the series of Certificates issued
in respect of such Trust and, subject to the terms of any related Intercreditor
Agreement and to any terms to the contrary in any applicable Trust Supplement,
shall hold such Equipment Notes in trust for the benefit of the
Certificateholders of such Trust;

         WHEREAS, to facilitate the sale of Equipment Notes to, and the
purchase of Equipment Notes by, the Trustee on behalf of each Trust created
from time to time pursuant to this Agreement, the Company as the "issuer", as
such term is defined in and solely for purposes of the Securities Act of 1933,
as amended, of the Certificates to be issued in respect of each Trust and as
the "obligor", as such term is defined in and solely for purposes of the Trust
Indenture Act of 1939, as amended to date, has duly authorized the execution
and delivery of this Basic Agreement and is undertaking to perform certain
administrative and ministerial duties hereunder and is also undertaking to pay
the fees and expenses of the Trustee; and




                                       1
<PAGE>   8




         WHEREAS, this Agreement, as supplemented from time to time, is subject
to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act and shall, to the extent
applicable, be governed by such provisions;

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements herein
contained, and of other good and valuable consideration the receipt and
adequacy of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

                                   ARTICLE I

                                  DEFINITIONS

         Section 1.01. Definitions. For all purposes of this Basic Agreement,
except as otherwise expressly provided or unless the context otherwise
requires:

         (1)      the terms used herein that are defined in this Article I have
                  the meanings assigned to them in this Article I, and include
                  the plural as well as the singular;

         (2)      all other terms used herein that are defined in the Trust
                  Indenture Act, either directly or by reference therein, or by
                  the rules promulgated under the Trust Indenture Act, have the
                  meanings assigned to them therein;

         (3)      all references in this Basic Agreement to designated
                  "Articles", "Sections", "Subsections" and other subdivisions
                  are to the designated Articles, Sections, Subsections and
                  other subdivisions of this Basic Agreement;

         (4)      the words "herein", "hereof" and "hereunder" and other words
                  of similar import refer to this Basic Agreement as a whole
                  and not to any particular Article, Section, Subsection or
                  other subdivision;

         (5)      unless the context otherwise requires, whenever the words
                  "including", "include" or "includes" are used herein, it
                  shall be deemed to be followed by the phrase "without
                  limitation"; and

         (6)      the term "this Agreement" (as distinguished from "this Basic
                  Agreement") refers, unless the context otherwise requires, to
                  this Basic Agreement as supplemented by the Trust Supplement
                  creating a particular Trust and establishing the series of
                  Certificates issued or to be issued in respect thereof, with
                  reference to such Trust and such series of Certificates, as
                  this Basic Agreement as so supplemented may be further
                  supplemented with respect to such Trust and such series of
                  Certificates.

         Act: Has the meaning, with respect to any Certificateholder, specified
in Section 1.04(a).





                                       2
<PAGE>   9



         Affiliate: Means, with respect to any specified Person, any other
Person directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or
indirect common control with such Person. For the purposes of this definition,
"control", when used with respect to any specified Person, means the power,
directly or indirectly, to direct the management and policies of such Person,
whether through the ownership of voting securities or by contract or otherwise,
and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the
foregoing.

         Aircraft: Means one or more aircraft, including engines therefor,
owned by or leased to the Company and securing one or more Equipment Notes.

         Authorized Agent: Means, with respect to the Certificates of any
series, any Paying Agent or Registrar for the Certificates of such series.

         Basic Agreement: Means this Pass Through Trust Agreement, as the same
may from time to time be supplemented, amended or modified, but does not
include any Trust Supplement.

         Book-Entry Certificates: Means, with respect to the Certificates of
any series, a beneficial interest in the Certificates of such series, ownership
and transfers of which shall be made through book entries as described in
Section 3.05.

         Business Day: Means, with respect to the Certificates of any series,
any day other than a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which commercial banks are
required or authorized to close in New York, New York, Dallas, Texas, or, so
long as any Certificate of such series is outstanding, the city and state in
which the Trustee or any related Loan Trustee maintains its Corporate Trust
Office or receives and disburses funds.

         Certificate: Means any one of the certificates executed and
authenticated by the Trustee, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto.

         Certificate Account: Means, with respect to the Certificates of any
series, the account or accounts created and maintained for such series pursuant
to Section 4.01(a) and the related Trust Supplement.

         Certificateholder or Holder: Means, with respect to the Certificates
of any series, the Person in whose name a Certificate of such series is
registered in the Register for Certificates of such series.

         Certificate Owner: Means, with respect to the Certificates of any
series, for purposes of Section 3.05, the Person who owns a Book-Entry
Certificate of such series.

         Clearing Agency: Means an organization registered as a "clearing
agency" pursuant to Section 17A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.




                                       3
<PAGE>   10




         Clearing Agency Participant: Means a broker, dealer, bank, other
financial institution or other Person for whom from time to time a Clearing
Agency effects, directly or indirectly, book-entry transfers and pledges of
securities deposited with the Clearing Agency.

         Company: Means American Airlines, Inc., a Delaware corporation, or its
successor in interest pursuant to Section 5.02.

         Controlling Party: Means the Person entitled to act as such pursuant
to the terms of any Intercreditor Agreement.

         Corporate Trust Office: Means, with respect to the Trustee or any Loan
Trustee, the office of such trustee in the city at which at any particular time
its corporate trust business shall be principally administered.

         Cut-off Date: Means, with respect to the Certificates of any series,
the date designated as such in the Trust Supplement establishing such series.

         Definitive Certificates: Has the meaning, with respect to the
Certificates of any series, specified in Section 3.05.

         Direction: Has the meaning specified in Section 1.04(a).

         Distribution Date: Means any Regular Distribution Date, Special
Distribution Date or Initial Regular Distribution Date.

         Equipment Note: Means, with respect to any Trust, any one of the
notes, certificates or instruments issued pursuant to any Indenture and
described as "Equipment Notes" in, or on a schedule attached to, the Trust
Supplement in respect of such Trust and to be held by the Trustee as part of
such Trust, including any Equipment Note (as so defined) issued under the
applicable Indenture in replacement thereof or substitution therefor.

         ERISA: Means the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended from time to time, or any successor federal statute.

         Escrow Account: Has the meaning, with respect to any Trust, specified
in Section 2.02(b).

         Escrowed Funds: Has the meaning, with respect to any Trust, specified
in Section 2.02(b).

         Event of Default: Means, in respect of any Trust, an Indenture Event
of Default under any Indenture pursuant to which Equipment Notes held by such
Trust were issued and such other event as may be designated under the related
Trust Supplement as an "Event of Default".





                                       4
<PAGE>   11




         Fractional Undivided Interest: Means the fractional undivided interest
in a Trust that is evidenced by a Certificate relating to such Trust.

         Holder: Has the meaning specified in the definition of
"Certificateholder or Holder".

         Indenture: Means, with respect to any Trust, each of the one or more
separate trust indenture and security agreements or trust indenture and
mortgages or similar documents described in, or on a schedule attached to, the
Trust Supplement and an indenture having substantially the same terms and
conditions which relates to a Substitute Aircraft, as each such indenture may
be amended or supplemented in accordance with its respective terms; and
"Indentures" means all of such agreements.

         Indenture Event of Default: Means, with respect to any Indenture, any
Indenture Event of Default (as such term is defined in such Indenture).

         Initial Regular Distribution Date: Means, with respect to the
Certificates of any series, the first Regular Distribution Date on which a
Scheduled Payment is to be made.

         Intercreditor Agreement: Means (a) any agreement by and among the
Trustee, as trustee with respect to one or more Trusts, one or more Liquidity
Providers, if applicable, and a Subordination Agent providing, among other
things, for the distribution of payments made in respect of Equipment Notes
held by such Trusts, or (b) such other agreement or agreements designated as an
"Intercreditor Agreement" in the Trust Supplement relating to any Trust.

         Issuance Date: Means, with respect to the Certificates of any series,
the date of the issuance of such Certificates.

         Lease: Means any lease between an Owner Trustee, as the lessor (or
such other Person acting as the lessor), and the Company, as the lessee,
referred to in the related Indenture, as such lease may be amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified in accordance with its terms; and "Leases"
means all such Leases.

         Letter of Representations: Means, with respect to the Certificates of
any series, an agreement among the Company, the Trustee and the initial
Clearing Agency substantially in the form attached as an Exhibit to the related
Trust Supplement, as such letter may be modified or supplemented, or any
successor letter thereto.

         Liquidity Facility: Means, with respect to the Certificates of any
series or any Equipment Notes, (a) any revolving credit agreement, letter of
credit, insurance policy, surety bond or financial guaranty or similar facility
for the provision of liquidity support relating to the Certificates of such
series between a Liquidity Provider and a Subordination Agent or one or more
other Persons, as amended, replaced, supplemented or otherwise modified from
time to time in accordance with its 




                                       5
<PAGE>   12




terms and, if applicable, the terms of any Intercreditor Agreement, or (b) such
other agreement or agreements designated as a "Liquidity Facility" in the Trust
Supplement relating to any Trust.

         Liquidity Provider: Means, with respect to the Certificates of any
series, a bank, insurance company, financial institution or other Person that
agrees to provide a Liquidity Facility for the benefit of the holders of
Certificates of such series.

         Loan Trustee: Means, with respect to any Equipment Note or the
Indenture applicable thereto, the bank, trust company or other financial
institution designated as loan or indenture trustee under such Indenture, and
any successor to such Loan Trustee as such trustee; and "Loan Trustees" means
all of the Loan Trustees under the Indentures.

         Note Documents: Means, with respect to the Certificates of any series,
the Equipment Notes with respect to such Certificates and, with respect to such
Equipment Notes, the related Indenture, Note Purchase Agreement, and, if the
related Aircraft is leased to the Company, the related Lease and the related
Purchase Agreement Assignment (as defined in the related Lease), if any.

         Note Purchase Agreement: Means, with respect to the Certificates of
any series, any note purchase, refunding, participation or similar agreement
providing for, among other things, the purchase of Equipment Notes by the
Trustee on behalf of the relevant Trust; and "Note Purchase Agreements" means
all such agreements.

         Officer's Certificate: Means a certificate signed, (a) in the case of
the Company, by the Chairman or Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, the
President, any Executive Vice President, any Senior Vice President, any Vice
President or the Treasurer of the Company or (b) in the case of the Trustee or
an Owner Trustee or a Loan Trustee, a Responsible Officer of the Trustee or
such Owner Trustee or such Loan Trustee, as the case may be.

         Opinion of Counsel: Means a written opinion of legal counsel who (a)
in the case of counsel for the Company may be (i) a senior attorney of the
Company one of whose principal duties is furnishing advice as to legal matters,
(ii) Debevoise & Plimpton or (iii) such other counsel designated by the Company
and reasonably acceptable to the Trustee and (b) in the case of any Owner
Trustee or any Loan Trustee, such counsel as they may designate, whether or not
such counsel is an employee of any of them, and who shall be reasonably
acceptable to the Trustee.

         Outstanding: When used with respect to Certificates of any series,
means, as of the date of determination, all Certificates of such series
theretofore authenticated and delivered under this Agreement, except:

         (i) Certificates of such series theretofore cancelled by the Registrar
or delivered to the Trustee or the Registrar for cancellation;



                                       6
<PAGE>   13






         (ii) all of the Certificates of such series if money in the full
amount required to make the final distribution with respect to such series
pursuant to Section 11.01 hereof has been theretofore deposited with the
Trustee in trust for the Holders of the Certificates of such series as provided
in Section 4.01, pending distribution of such money to such Certificateholders
pursuant to payment of such final distribution payment; and

         (iii) Certificates of such series in exchange for or in lieu of which
other Certificates of such series have been authenticated and delivered
pursuant to this Agreement.

         Owner Participant: Means, with respect to any Equipment Note, the
"Owner Participant", if any, as referred to in the Indenture pursuant to which
such Equipment Note is issued and any permitted successor or assign of such
Owner Participant; and "Owner Participants" at any time of determination means
all of the Owner Participants thus referred to in the Indentures.

         Owner Trustee: Means, with respect to any Equipment Note, the "Owner
Trustee", if any, as referred to in the Indenture pursuant to which such
Equipment Note is issued, not in its individual capacity but solely as trustee;
and "Owner Trustees" means all of the Owner Trustees party to any of the
related Indentures.

         Paying Agent: Means, with respect to the Certificates of any series,
the paying agent maintained and appointed for the Certificates of such series
pursuant to Section 7.12.

         Permitted Investments: Means obligations of the United States of
America or agencies or instrumentalities thereof for the payment of which the
full faith and credit of the United States of America is pledged, maturing in
not more than 60 days after the date of acquisition thereof or such lesser time
as is required for the distribution of any Special Payments on a Special
Distribution Date.

         Person: Means any person, including any individual, corporation,
limited liability company, partnership, joint venture, association, joint-stock
company, trust, trustee, unincorporated organization, or government or any
agency or political subdivision thereof.

         Pool Balance: Means, with respect to the Certificates of any series as
of any date, except to the extent otherwise provided in the applicable Trust
Supplements, (i) the original aggregate face amount of the Certificates of such
series less (ii) the aggregate amount of all distributions made in respect of
such Certificates other than distributions made in respect of interest or
premium or reimbursement of any costs or expenses incurred in connection
therewith. The Pool Balance as of any Regular Distribution Date or Special
Distribution Date with respect to such series shall be computed after giving
effect to the payment of principal, if any, on the Equipment Notes or other
Trust Property held in the Trust and the distribution thereof to be made on
such date.

         Pool Factor: Means, with respect to any series of Certificates as of
any date, except to the extent otherwise provided in the applicable Trust
Supplement, the quotient (rounded to the seventh 




                                       7
<PAGE>   14





decimal place, with 0.00000005 being rounded upward) computed by dividing (i)
the Pool Balance of such series as at such date by (ii) the original aggregate
face amount of the Certificates of such series. The Pool Factor as of any
Regular Distribution Date or Special Distribution Date with respect to such
series shall be computed after giving effect to the payment of principal, if
any, on the Equipment Notes or other Trust Property held in the Trust relating
to such series and the distribution thereof to be made on such date.

         Postponed Notes: Means, with respect to any Trust or the related
series of Certificates, the Equipment Notes to be held in such Trust as to
which a Postponement Notice shall have been delivered pursuant to Section
2.02(b).

         Postponement Notice: Means, with respect to any Trust or the related
series of Certificates, an Officer's Certificate of the Company (i) requesting
that the Trustee temporarily postpone purchase of the related Equipment Notes
to a date later than the Issuance Date of such series of Certificates, (ii)
identifying the amount of the purchase price of each such Equipment Note and
the aggregate purchase price for all such Equipment Notes, (iii) setting forth
the reasons for such postponement and (iv) with respect to each such Equipment
Note, either (a) setting or resetting a new Transfer Date (which shall be on or
prior to the applicable Cut-off Date) for payment by the Trustee of such
purchase price and issuance of the related Equipment Note (subject to
subsequent change from time to time in accordance with the relevant Note
Purchase Agreement), or (b) indicating that such new Transfer Date (which shall
be on or prior to the applicable Cut-off Date) will be set by subsequent
written notice not less than one Business Day prior to such new Transfer Date
(subject to subsequent change from time to time in accordance with the relevant
Note Purchase Agreement).

         Potential Purchaser: Has the meaning, with respect to any
Certificateholder, specified in Section 6.01(d).

         Purchasing Certificateholder: Has the meaning, with respect to any
Certificateholder, specified in Section 6.01(d).

         Record Date: Means, with respect to any Trust or the related series of
Certificates, (i) for Scheduled Payments to be distributed on any Regular
Distribution Date, other than the final distribution with respect to such
series, the 15th day (whether or not a Business Day) preceding such Regular
Distribution Date, or such other date as shall be specified for such series in
the applicable Trust Supplement, and (ii) for Special Payments to be
distributed on any Special Distribution Date, other than the final distribution
with respect to such series, the 15th day (whether or not a Business Day)
preceding such Special Distribution Date, or such other date as shall be
specified for such series in the applicable Trust Supplement.

         Register and Registrar: Means, each with respect to the Certificates
of any series, the register maintained and the registrar appointed pursuant to
Sections 3.04 and 7.12, respectively.




                                       8
<PAGE>   15





         Regular Distribution Date: Means, with respect to distributions of
Scheduled Payments in respect of any series of Certificates, each date
designated as such in this Agreement, until payment of all the Scheduled
Payments to be made under the Equipment Notes held in the Trust have been made
or until such Equipment Notes have been redeemed or otherwise prepaid in full.

         Request: Means a request by the Company setting forth the subject
matter of the request accompanied by an Officer's Certificate and an Opinion of
Counsel as provided in Section 1.02 of this Basic Agreement.

         Responsible Officer: Means, with respect to any Trustee, any Loan
Trustee and any Owner Trustee, any officer in the Corporate Trust Department or
similar department of the Trustee, such Loan Trustee or such Owner Trustee, as
the case may be, or any other officer customarily performing functions similar
to those performed by the persons who at the time shall be such officers or to
whom any corporate trust matter is referred because of his knowledge of and
familiarity with a particular subject.

         Responsible Party: Means, with respect to the Certificates of any
series, the Company or the other Person designated as such in the related Trust
Supplement.

         Scheduled Payment: Means, with respect to any Equipment Note, except
to the extent otherwise provided in the applicable Trust Supplement, (i) any
payment of principal or interest on such Equipment Note (other than any such
payment which is not in fact received by the Trustee or any Subordination Agent
within five days of the date on which such payment is scheduled to be made) or
(ii) any distribution in respect of principal or interest on such Equipment
Note to the Holders of the Certificates of any series with funds drawn under
the Liquidity Facility for such series (other than any such payment which is
not in fact received by the Trustee or any Subordination Agent within five days
of the date upon which payment is scheduled to be made), which payment in the
case of clause (i) or clause (ii) represents an installment of principal on
such Equipment Note at the stated maturity of such installment, or the payment
of regularly scheduled interest accrued on the unpaid principal amount of such
Equipment Note, or both; provided, however, that any payment of principal,
premium, if any, or interest resulting from the redemption or purchase of any
Equipment Note shall not constitute a Scheduled Payment.

         SEC: Means the Securities and Exchange Commission, as from time to
time constituted or created under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, or, if at any time after the execution of this instrument such
Commission is not existing and performing the duties now assigned to it under
the Trust Indenture Act, then the body performing such duties on such date.

         Selling Certificateholder: Has the meaning, with respect to any
Certificateholder, specified in Section 6.01(d).





                                       9
<PAGE>   16




         Special Distribution Date: Means, with respect to the Certificates of
any series, each date on which a Special Payment is to be distributed as
specified in this Agreement.

         Special Payment: Means, except to the extent otherwise provided in the
applicable Trust Supplement, (i) any payment (other than a Scheduled Payment)
in respect of, or any proceeds of, any Equipment Note held in a Trust or Trust
Indenture Estate (as defined in each Indenture), (ii) the amounts required to
be distributed pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 2.02(b), or (iii) the
amounts required to be distributed pursuant to the penultimate paragraph of
Section 2.02(b).

         Special Payments Account: Means, with respect to the Certificates of
any series, the account or accounts created and maintained for such series
pursuant to Section 4.01(b) and the related Trust Supplement.

         Specified Investments: Means, with respect to any Trust, unless
otherwise specified in the related Trust Supplement, (i) obligations of the
United States Government or agencies thereof, or obligations guaranteed by the
United States Government, (ii) open market commercial paper of any corporation
incorporated under the laws of the United States of America or any State
thereof rated at least P-2 or its equivalent by Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
or at least A-2 or its equivalent by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services
(including the Trustee if such conditions are met), (iii) certificates of
deposit issued by commercial banks organized under the laws of the United
States or of any political subdivision thereof having a combined capital and
surplus in excess of $500,000,000 which banks or their holding companies have a
rating of A or its equivalent by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. or A2 or its
equivalent by Standard & Poor's Ratings Services (including the Trustee if such
conditions are met); provided, however, that the aggregate amount at any one
time so invested in certificates of deposit issued by any one bank shall not
exceed 5% of such bank's capital and surplus, (iv) U.S. dollar denominated
offshore certificates of deposit issued by, or offshore time deposits with, any
commercial bank described in (iii) or any subsidiary thereof, and (v)
repurchase agreements with any financial institution having combined capital
and surplus of at least $500,000,000 (including the Trustee if such conditions
are met) with any of the obligations described in clauses (i) through (iv) as
collateral; provided further that if all of the above investments are
unavailable, the entire amounts to be invested may be used to purchase Federal
Funds from an entity described in clause (iii) above; and provided further that
no investment shall be eligible as a "Specified Investment" unless the final
maturity or date of return of such investment is on or before the Special
Distribution Date next following the Cut-off Date for such Trust by at least 15
days.

         Subordination Agent: Has the meaning specified therefor in any
Intercreditor Agreement.

         Substitute Aircraft: Means, with respect to any Trust, any Aircraft of
a type specified in this Agreement and, at the election of the Company,
substituted prior to the applicable Cut-off Date, if any, pursuant to the terms
of this Agreement.



                                      10
<PAGE>   17






         Transfer Date: Has the meaning assigned to that term or any of the
terms "Delivery Date", "Funding Date" or "Closing Date" in a Note Purchase
Agreement, and in any event refers to any such date as it may be changed from
time to time in accordance with the terms of such Note Purchase Agreement.

         Triggering Event: Has the meaning specified therefor in any
Intercreditor Agreement.

         Trust: Means, with respect to the Certificates of any series, the
separate trust created under this Agreement.

         Trustee: Means, with respect to any particular Trust, the institution
executing this Agreement as the Trustee, or its successor in interest, and any
successor or other trustee appointed as provided herein (it being understood
that the same institution need not act as the Trustee in respect of all of the
Trusts created pursuant to this Basic Agreement and the Trust Supplements).

         Trust Indenture Act: Except as otherwise provided in Section 9.06,
means, with respect to any particular Trust, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939,
as amended and in force at the date as of which the related Trust Supplement
was executed.

         Trust Property: Means, with respect to any Trust, except to the extent
otherwise provided in the applicable Trust Supplement, (i) subject to any
related Intercreditor Agreement, the Equipment Notes held as the property of
such Trust, all monies at any time paid thereon and all monies due and to
become due thereunder, (ii) debt instruments issued by the Company in
accordance with the first paragraph of Section 2.02(b), (iii) funds from time
to time deposited in the related Escrow Account, the related Certificate
Account and the related Special Payments Account and, subject to any related
Intercreditor Agreement, any proceeds from the sale by the Trustee pursuant to
Article VI hereof of any Equipment Note referred to in (i) above, (iv) all
rights of such Trust and the Trustee, on behalf of the Trust, under any
Intercreditor Agreement or Liquidity Facility, including, without limitation,
all rights to receive all monies and other property payable thereunder, and (v)
all monies or other property receivable under any Intercreditor Agreement or
Liquidity Facility for such Trust.

         Trust Supplement: Means an agreement supplemental hereto pursuant to
which (i) a separate Trust is created for the benefit of the Holders of the
Certificates of a series, (ii) the issuance of the Certificates of such series
representing fractional undivided interests in such Trust is authorized and
(iii) the terms of the Certificates of such series are established, as such
agreement may from time to time be supplemented, amended or otherwise modified.

         Section 1.02. Compliance Certificates and Opinions. Upon any
application or request (except with respect to matters set forth in Article II)
by the Company, any Owner Trustee or any Loan Trustee to the Trustee to take
any action under any provision of this Basic Agreement or, in respect of the
Certificates of any series, this Agreement, the Company, such Owner Trustee or
such Loan Trustee, as the case may be, shall furnish to the Trustee (i) an
Officer's Certificate stating that, 




                                      11
<PAGE>   18



in the opinion of the signer or signers, all conditions precedent, if any,
provided for in this Basic Agreement or this Agreement relating to the proposed
action have been complied with and (ii) an Opinion of Counsel stating that in
the opinion of such counsel all such conditions precedent, if any, have been
complied with, except that in the case of any such application or request as to
which the furnishing of such documents is specifically required by any
provision of this Basic Agreement or this Agreement relating to such particular
application or request, no additional certificate or opinion need be furnished.
Every certificate or opinion with respect to compliance with a condition or
covenant provided for in this Basic Agreement or, in respect of the
Certificates of any series, this Agreement (other than a certificate provided
pursuant to Section 8.04(d)) or any Trust Supplement shall include:

         (1)      a statement that each individual signing such certificate or
                  opinion has read such covenant or condition and the
                  definitions in this Basic Agreement or this Agreement
                  relating thereto;

         (2)      a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the
                  examination or investigation upon which the statements or
                  opinions contained in such certificate or opinion are based;

         (3)      a statement that, in the opinion of each such individual, he
                  has made such examination or investigation as is necessary to
                  enable him to express an informed opinion as to whether or
                  not such covenant or condition has been complied with; and

         (4)      a statement as to whether, in the opinion of each such 
                  individual, such condition or covenant has been complied with.

         Section 1.03. Form of Documents Delivered to Trustee. In any case
where several matters are required to be certified by, or covered by an opinion
of, any specified Person, it is not necessary that all such matters be
certified by, or covered by the opinion of, only one such Person, or that they
be so certified or covered by only one document, but one such Person may
certify or give an opinion with respect to some matters and one or more other
such Persons as to other matters and any such Person may certify or give an
opinion as to such matters in one or several documents.

         Where any Person is required to make, give or execute two or more
applications, requests, consents, certificates, statements, opinions or other
instruments under this Basic Agreement or, in respect of the Certificates of
any series, this Agreement, they may, but need not, be consolidated and form
one instrument.

         Section 1.04. Directions of Certificate Holders. (a) Any direction,
consent, request, demand, authorization, notice, waiver or other action
provided by this Agreement or in respect of the Certificates of any series to
be given or taken by Certificateholders (a "Direction") may be embodied in and
evidenced by one or more instruments of substantially similar tenor signed by
such Certificateholders in person or by an agent or proxy duly appointed in
writing; and, except as herein 




                                      12
<PAGE>   19



otherwise expressly provided, such action shall become effective when such
instrument or instruments are delivered to the Trustee and, when it is
expressly required pursuant to this Agreement, to the Company or any Loan
Trustee. Such instrument or instruments (and the action embodied therein and
evidenced thereby) are herein sometimes referred to as the "Act" of the
Certificateholders signing such instrument or instruments. Proof of execution
of any such instrument or of a writing appointing any such agent or proxy shall
be sufficient for any purpose of this Agreement and conclusive in favor of the
Trustee, the Company and the related Loan Trustee, if made in the manner
provided in this Section 1.04.

         (b) The fact and date of the execution by any Person of any such
instrument or writing may be proved by the certificate of any notary public or
other officer of any jurisdiction authorized to take acknowledgments of deeds
or administer oaths that the Person executing such instrument acknowledged to
him the execution thereof, or by an affidavit of a witness to such execution
sworn to before any such notary or such other officer, and where such execution
is by an officer of a corporation or association or a member of a partnership,
on behalf of such corporation, association or partnership, such certificate or
affidavit shall also constitute sufficient proof of his authority. The fact and
date of the execution of any such instrument or writing, or the authority of
the Person executing the same, may also be proved in any other reasonable
manner which the Trustee deems sufficient.

         (c) In determining whether the Certificateholders of the requisite
Fractional Undivided Interests of Certificates of any series Outstanding have
given any Direction under this Agreement, Certificates owned by the Company,
any related Owner Trustee, any related Owner Participant or any Affiliate of
any such Person shall be disregarded and deemed not to be Outstanding for
purposes of any such determination. In determining whether the Trustee shall be
protected in relying upon any such Direction, only Certificates which the
Trustee knows to be so owned shall be so disregarded. Notwithstanding the
foregoing, (i) if any such Person owns 100% of the Certificates of any series
Outstanding, such Certificates shall not be so disregarded, and (ii) if any
amount of Certificates of any series so owned by any such Person have been
pledged in good faith, such Certificates shall not be disregarded if the
pledgee establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee's right so
to act with respect to such Certificates and that the pledgee is not the
Company, any related Owner Trustee, any related Owner Participant or any
Affiliate of any such Person.

         (d) The Company may, at its option, by delivery of an Officer's
Certificate to the Trustee, set a record date to determine the
Certificateholders in respect of the Certificates of any series entitled to
give any Direction. Notwithstanding Section 316(c) of the Trust Indenture Act,
such record date shall be the record date specified in such Officer's
Certificate, which shall be a date not more than 30 days prior to the first
solicitation of Certificateholders of the applicable series in connection
therewith. If such a record date is fixed, such Direction may be given before
or after such record date, but only the Certificateholders of record of the
applicable series at the close of business on such record date shall be deemed
to be Certificateholders for the purposes of determining whether
Certificateholders of the requisite proportion of Outstanding Certificates of
such series have 





                                      13
<PAGE>   20


authorized or agreed or consented to such Direction, and for that purpose the
Outstanding Certificates of such series shall be computed as of such record
date; provided, however, that no such Direction by the Certificateholders on
such record date shall be deemed effective unless it shall become effective
pursuant to the provisions of this Agreement not later than one year after such
record date. Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to prevent the
Company from setting a new record date for any action for which a record date
has previously been set pursuant to this paragraph (whereupon the record date
previously set shall automatically and with no action by any Person be deemed
cancelled and of no effect).

         (e) Any Direction by the Holder of any Certificate shall bind the
Holder of every Certificate issued upon the transfer thereof or in exchange
therefor or in lieu thereof, whether or not notation of such Direction is made
upon such Certificate.

         (f) Except as otherwise provided in Section 1.04(c), Certificates of
any series owned by or pledged to any Person shall have an equal and
proportionate benefit under the provisions of this Agreement, without
preference, priority or distinction as among all of the Certificates of such
series.

         (g) The Company and the Trustee may make reasonable rules for action
by or at a meeting of Certificateholders.


                                   ARTICLE II

                       ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF CERTIFICATES;
                         ACQUISITION OF TRUST PROPERTY

         Section 2.01. Amount Unlimited; Issuable in Series. (a) The aggregate
face amount of Certificates that may be authenticated and delivered under this
Basic Agreement is unlimited. The Certificates may be issued from time to time
in one or more series and shall be designated generally as the "Pass Through
Certificates", with such further designations added or incorporated in such
title for the Certificates of each series as are specified in the related Trust
Supplement. Each Certificate shall bear upon its face the designation so
selected for the series to which it belongs. All Certificates of the same
series shall be substantially identical except that the Certificates of a
series may differ as to denomination and as may otherwise be provided in the
Trust Supplement establishing the Certificates of such series. Each series of
Certificates issued pursuant to this Agreement will evidence fractional
undivided interests in the related Trust and, except as may be specified in any
Intercreditor Agreement or in the applicable Trust Supplement, will have no
rights, benefits or interests in respect of any other Trust or the Trust
Property held therein. All Certificates of the same series shall be in all
respects equally and ratably entitled to the benefits of this Agreement without
preference, priority or distinction on account of the actual time or times of
authentication and delivery, all in accordance with the terms and provisions of
this Agreement.


                                      14
<PAGE>   21





         (b) The following matters shall be established with respect to the
Certificates of each series issued hereunder by a Trust Supplement executed and
delivered by and between the Company and the Trustee:

         (1)      the formation of the Trust as to which the Certificates of
                  such series represent fractional undivided interests and its
                  designation (which designation shall distinguish such Trust
                  from each other Trust created under this Basic Agreement and
                  a Trust Supplement);

         (2)      the specific title of the Certificates of such series (which
                  title shall distinguish the Certificates of such series from
                  each other series of Certificates created under this Basic
                  Agreement and a Trust Supplement);

         (3)      subject to Section 2.01(a) hereof, any limit upon the
                  aggregate face amount of the Certificates of such series
                  which may be authenticated and delivered under this Basic
                  Agreement (which limit shall not pertain to Certificates
                  authenticated and delivered upon registration of transfer of,
                  or in exchange for, or in lieu of, other Certificates of the
                  series pursuant to Sections 3.03, 3.04 and 3.06);

         (4)      the Cut-off Date with respect to the Certificates of such   
                  series and the related Trust; 

         (5)      the Regular Distribution Dates applicable to the Certificates
                  of such series;

         (6)      the Special Distribution Dates applicable to the Certificates 
                  of such series;

         (7)      if other than as provided in Section 3.04 or Section 7.12(b),
                  the Registrar or the Paying Agent for the Certificates of
                  such series, including any Co-Registrar or additional Paying
                  Agent;

         (8)      if other than as provided in Section 3.01, the denominations
                  in which the Certificates of such series shall be issuable;

         (9)      if other than United States dollars, the currency or
                  currencies (including composite currencies or currency units)
                  in which the Certificates of such series shall be denominated
                  or payable;

         (10)     the specific form of the Certificates of such series
                  (including the interest rate applicable thereto) and whether
                  or not Certificates of such series are to be issued as
                  Book-Entry Certificates and, if such Certificates are to be
                  Book-Entry Certificates, the form of Letter of
                  Representations, if any (or, in the case of any Certificates
                  denominated or payable in a currency other than United States
                  dollars and if other than as provided in Section 3.05,
                  whether and the circumstances under which 




                                      15
<PAGE>   22



                  beneficial owners of interests in such Certificates in
                  permanent global form may exchange such interests for
                  Certificates of such series and of like tenor of any
                  authorized form and denomination);

         (11)     a description of the Equipment Notes to be acquired and held
                  in the Trust formed by such Trust Supplement and of the
                  related Aircraft and Note Documents;

         (12)     provisions with respect to the terms for which the
                  definitions set forth in Article I hereof or the terms of any
                  Section hereof, including Section 11.01 hereof, permit or
                  require further specification in the related Trust
                  Supplement;

         (13)     any restrictions (including legends) in respect of ERISA;

         (14)     the acceptance of appointment by the institution named to act
                  as Trustee with respect to such Trust, if different from the
                  institution executing this Basic Agreement or its successor;

         (15)     whether such series will be subject to an Intercreditor
                  Agreement and, if so, the specific designation of such
                  Intercreditor Agreement and the rights of Potential
                  Purchasers upon the occurrence of a Triggering Event;

         (16)     whether such series will have the benefit of a Liquidity
                  Facility and, if so, any terms appropriate thereto;

         (17)     whether there will be a deposit agreement, escrow agreement
                  or other arrangement prior to the delivery of one or more
                  Aircraft or the commencement of the Lease in respect of one
                  or more Aircraft and, if so, any terms appropriate thereto;

         (18)     the extent, if any, to which the Company may acquire
                  Certificates and deliver such Certificates or cash to the
                  respective Trusts and obtain the release of Equipment Notes
                  or other Trust Property held by such Trusts;

         (19)     if the Certificates of such series are to be issued in bearer
                  form, the forms thereof and any other special terms relating
                  thereto;

         (20)     the "Responsible Party" for purposes of directing the Trustee
                  to make Specified Investments; and

         (21)     any other terms of the Certificates of such series (which
                  terms shall not be inconsistent with the provisions of the
                  Trust Indenture Act but may modify, amend, supplement or
                  delete any of the terms of this Basic Agreement), including
                  any terms of the Certificates of such series which may be
                  required or advisable under United 




                                      16
<PAGE>   23


                  States laws or regulations or advisable (as determined by the
                  Company) in connection with the marketing of Certificates of
                  the series.

         (c) At any time and from time to time after the execution and delivery
of this Basic Agreement and a Trust Supplement forming a Trust and establishing
the terms of Certificates of a series, Certificates of such series shall be
executed, authenticated and delivered by the Trustee to the Person or Persons
specified by the Company upon request of the Company and upon satisfaction or
waiver of any conditions precedent set forth in such Trust Supplement or in any
other document to which a Trustee is a party relating to the issuance of the
Certificates of such series.

         Section 2.02. Acquisition of Equipment Notes. (a) Unless otherwise
specified in the related Trust Supplement, on or prior to the Issuance Date of
the Certificates of a series, the Trustee shall execute and deliver the related
Note Purchase Agreements in the form delivered to the Trustee by the Company.
The Trustee shall issue and sell such Certificates, in authorized denominations
and in such Fractional Undivided Interests, so as to result in the receipt of
consideration in an amount equal to the aggregate purchase price of the
Equipment Notes contemplated to be purchased by the Trustee under the related
Note Purchase Agreements and, concurrently therewith (unless the Company shall
have delivered to the Trustee the Postponement Notice relating to one or more
Postponed Notes pursuant to Subsection (b) below), the Trustee shall purchase,
pursuant to the terms and conditions of the Note Purchase Agreements, such
Equipment Notes (except Postponed Notes, if any) at a purchase price equal to
the amount of such consideration so received. Except as provided in Sections
3.03, 3.04 and 3.06 hereof, the Trustee shall not execute, authenticate or
deliver Certificates of such series in excess of the aggregate amount specified
in this paragraph. The provisions of this Subsection (a) are subject to the
provisions of Subsection (b) below.

         (b) If on or prior to the Issuance Date with respect to a series of
Certificates the Company shall deliver to the Trustee a Postponement Notice
relating to one or more Postponed Notes, the Trustee shall postpone the
purchase of such Postponed Notes and shall deposit into an escrow account (as
to such Trust, the "Escrow Account") to be maintained as part of the related
Trust an amount equal to the purchase price of such Postponed Notes (the
"Escrowed Funds"). The portion of the Escrowed Funds so deposited with respect
to any particular Postponed Notes shall be invested (a) by the Trustee at the
direction and risk of, and for the benefit of, the Responsible Party in
Specified Investments or (b) if provided in the Trust Supplement relating to
such series of Certificates and subject to the terms and conditions set forth
therein, in debt instruments of the Company, in each case (i) maturing no later
than any scheduled Transfer Date relating to such Postponed Notes, or (ii) if
no such Transfer Date has been scheduled, maturing on the next Business Day, or
(iii) if subsequent to the giving of the applicable Postponement Notice the
Company has given notice to the Trustee that such Postponed Notes will not be
issued, maturing on the next applicable Special Distribution Date, if such
investments are reasonably available for purchase. The Trustee shall make
withdrawals from the Escrow Account only as provided in this Agreement. Upon
request of the Company on one or more occasions and the satisfaction or waiver
of the closing conditions specified in the applicable Note Purchase Agreements
on or prior to the related Cut-off 




                                      17
<PAGE>   24



Date, the Trustee shall purchase the applicable Postponed Notes, on the terms
specified in such Note Purchase Agreements, with the Escrowed Funds withdrawn
from the Escrow Account.

         The Trustee shall hold all Specified Investments until the maturity
thereof and will not sell or otherwise transfer Specified Investments. If
Specified Investments held in an Escrow Account mature prior to any applicable
Transfer Date, any proceeds received on the maturity of such Specified
Investments (other than any earnings thereon) shall be reinvested by the
Trustee at the written direction and risk of, and for the benefit of, the
Responsible Party in Specified Investments maturing as provided in the
preceding paragraph.

         Subject to the provisions of the Intercreditor Agreement, any earnings
on Specified Investments received from time to time by the Trustee shall be
promptly distributed to the Responsible Party. The Responsible Party shall pay
to the Trustee for deposit to the relevant Escrow Account an amount equal to
any net losses on any Specified Investments made at its direction and risk as
incurred. On any Regular Distribution Date in respect of the Certificates of
any series occurring prior to the date of purchase of any Postponed Notes by
the Trustee, the Responsible Party will pay (in immediately available funds) to
the Trustee an amount equal to the interest that would have accrued on such
Postponed Notes if such Postponed Notes had been purchased on the later of the
Issuance Date or the previous Regular Distribution Date in respect of the
Certificates of such series to, but not including, such Regular Distribution
Date. On the first Regular Distribution Date in respect of the Certificates of
any series following the purchase of any Postponed Notes by the Trustee, the
Responsible Party will pay (in immediately available funds) to the Trustee an
amount equal to the interest that would have accrued on such Postponed Notes if
such Postponed Notes had been purchased on the later of the Issuance Date or
the previous Regular Distribution Date in respect of such series to, but not
including, the date of the purchase of such Postponed Notes by the Trustee.

         If, in respect of the Certificates of any series, the Company notifies
the Trustee prior to the Cut-off Date that any Postponed Notes will not be
issued on or prior to the Cut-off Date for any reason, on the next Special
Distribution Date for such Certificates occurring not less than 15 days
following the date of such notice, (i) the Responsible Party shall pay (in
immediately available funds) to the Trustee for deposit in the related Special
Payments Account, an amount equal to the interest that would have accrued on
the Postponed Notes designated in such notice at a rate equal to the interest
rate applicable to such Certificates from the later of the Issuance Date or the
previous Regular Distribution Date in respect of the Certificates of such
series to, but not including, such Special Distribution Date and (ii) the
Trustee shall transfer an amount equal to that amount of Escrowed Funds that
would have been used to purchase the Postponed Notes designated in such notice
and the amount paid by the Responsible Party pursuant to the immediately
preceding clause (i) to the related Special Payments Account for distribution
as a Special Payment in accordance with the provisions hereof.

         If, on such Cut-off Date, an amount equal to less than all of the
Escrowed Funds (other than Escrowed Funds referred to in the immediately
preceding paragraph) has been used to purchase 




                                      18
<PAGE>   25




Postponed Notes, on the next such Special Distribution Date occurring not less
than 15 days following such Cut-off Date (i) the Responsible Party shall pay to
the Trustee for deposit in such Special Payments Account, in immediately
available funds, an amount equal to the interest that would have accrued on
such Postponed Notes contemplated to be purchased with such unused Escrowed
Funds (other than Escrowed Funds referred to in the immediately preceding
paragraph) but not so purchased at a rate equal to the interest rate applicable
to such Certificates from the later of the Issuance Date or the previous
Regular Distribution Date in respect of the Certificates of such series to, but
not including, such Special Distribution Date and (ii) the Trustee shall
transfer such unused Escrowed Funds and the amount paid by the Responsible
Party pursuant to the immediately preceding clause (i) to such Special Payments
Account for distribution as a Special Payment in accordance with the provisions
hereof.

         Section 2.03. Acceptance by Trustee. The Trustee, by the execution and
delivery of a Trust Supplement creating a Trust and establishing a series of
Certificates, shall acknowledge its acceptance of all right, title and interest
in and to the Trust Property to be acquired pursuant to Section 2.02 hereof and
the related Note Purchase Agreements and shall declare that the Trustee holds
and will hold such right, title and interest for the benefit of all then
present and future Certificateholders of such series, upon the trusts herein
and in such Trust Supplement set forth. By the acceptance of each Certificate
of such series issued to it under this Agreement, each initial Holder of such
series as grantor of such Trust shall thereby join in the creation and
declaration of such Trust. No Certificateholder of any series shall have legal
title to any part of the Trust Property of the related Trust.

         Section 2.04. Limitation of Powers. Each Trust shall be constituted
solely for the purpose of making the investment in the Equipment Notes provided
for in the related Trust Supplement, and, except as set forth herein or in such
related Trust Supplement, the Trustee shall not be authorized or empowered to
acquire any other investments or engage in any other activities. Except to the
extent otherwise provided in the applicable Trust Supplement, the Trustee shall
not be authorized or empowered to do anything that would cause such Trust to
fail to qualify as a "grantor trust" for federal income tax purposes (including
as subject to this restriction, acquiring any Aircraft (as defined in the
related Indentures) by bidding such Equipment Notes or otherwise, or taking any
action with respect to any such Aircraft once acquired).


                                  ARTICLE III

                                THE CERTIFICATES

         Section 3.01. Form, Denomination and Execution of Certificates. Except
to the extent otherwise specified in the applicable Trust Supplement, the
Certificates of each series shall be issued in fully registered form without
coupons and shall be substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A,
with such omissions, variations and insertions as are permitted by this
Agreement, and 




                                      19
<PAGE>   26




may have such letters, numbers or other marks of identification and such
legends or endorsements placed thereon as may be required to comply with any
applicable laws, rules, regulations or the rules of any securities exchange on
which such Certificates may be listed or to conform to any usage in respect
thereof, or as may, consistently herewith, be determined by the Trustee or the
officers executing such Certificates, as evidenced by the Trustee's or such
officers' execution of the Certificates.

         Except as provided in Section 3.05, the definitive Certificates of
such series shall be typed, printed, lithographed or engraved or produced by
any combination of these methods or may be produced in any other manner
permitted by the rules of any securities exchange on which the Certificates may
be listed, all as determined by the officers executing such Certificates, as
evidenced by their execution of such Certificates.

         Except as otherwise provided in the related Trust Supplement, the
Certificates of each series shall be issued in minimum denominations of $1,000
or integral multiples thereof except that one Certificate of such series may be
issued in a different denomination. The Certificates of such series shall be
executed on behalf of the Trustee by manual or facsimile signature of a
Responsible Officer of the Trustee. Certificates of any series bearing the
manual or facsimile signature of an individual who was, at the time when such
signature was affixed, authorized to sign on behalf of the Trustee shall be
valid and binding obligations of the Trustee, notwithstanding that such
individual has ceased to be so authorized prior to the authentication and
delivery of such Certificates or did not hold such office at the date of such
Certificates.

         Section 3.02. Authentication of Certificates. (a) Except to the extent
otherwise specified in the applicable Trust Supplement, on the Issuance Date,
the Trustee shall duly execute, authenticate and deliver Certificates of each
series in authorized denominations equaling in the aggregate the aggregate face
amount of the Equipment Notes that may be purchased by the Trustee pursuant to
the related Note Purchase Agreements, and evidencing the entire ownership of
the related Trust. Thereafter, the Trustee shall duly execute, authenticate and
deliver the Certificates of such series as herein provided.

         (b) No Certificate of any series shall be entitled to any benefit
under this Agreement, or be valid for any purpose, unless there appears on such
Certificate a certificate of authentication substantially in the form set forth
in Exhibit A hereto executed by the Trustee by manual signature, and such
certificate of authentication upon any Certificate shall be conclusive
evidence, and the only evidence, that such Certificate has been duly
authenticated and delivered hereunder. All Certificates of any series shall be
dated the date of their authentication.

         Section 3.03. Temporary Certificates. Until definitive Certificates
are ready for delivery, the Trustee shall execute, authenticate and deliver
temporary Certificates of each series. Temporary Certificates of each series
shall be substantially in the form of definitive Certificates of such series
but may have insertions, substitutions, omissions and other variations
determined to be 




                                      20
<PAGE>   27



appropriate by the officers executing the temporary Certificates of such
series, as evidenced by their execution of such temporary Certificates. If
temporary Certificates of any series are issued, the Trustee will cause
definitive Certificates of such series to be prepared without unreasonable
delay. After the preparation of definitive Certificates of such series, the
temporary Certificates shall be exchangeable for definitive Certificates upon
surrender of such temporary Certificates at the Corporate Trust Office or the
office or agency of the Trustee designated for such purpose pursuant to Section
7.12, without charge to the Certificateholder. Upon surrender for cancellation
of any one or more temporary Certificates, the Trustee shall execute,
authenticate and deliver in exchange therefor a like face amount of definitive
Certificates of like series, in authorized denominations and of a like
Fractional Undivided Interest. Until so exchanged, such temporary Certificates
shall be entitled to the same benefits under this Agreement as definitive
Certificates of such series.

         Section 3.04. Transfer and Exchange. The Trustee shall cause to be
kept at the office or agency to be maintained by it in accordance with the
provisions of Section 7.12 a register (the "Register") for each series of
Certificates in which, subject to such reasonable regulations as it may
prescribe, the Trustee shall provide for the registration of Certificates of
such series and of transfers and exchanges of such Certificates as herein
provided. The Trustee shall initially be the registrar (the "Registrar") for
the purpose of registering such Certificates of each series and transfers and
exchanges of such Certificates as herein provided.

         All Certificates issued upon any registration of transfer or exchange
of Certificates of any series shall be valid obligations of the applicable
Trust, evidencing the same interest therein, and entitled to the same benefits
under this Agreement, as the Certificates of such series surrendered upon such
registration of transfer or exchange.

         Upon surrender for registration of transfer of any Certificate at the
Corporate Trust Office or such other office or agency, the Trustee shall
execute, authenticate and deliver, in the name of the designated transferee or
transferees, one or more new Certificates of like series, in authorized
denominations of a like aggregate Fractional Undivided Interest.

         At the option of a Certificateholder, Certificates may be exchanged
for other Certificates of like series, in authorized denominations and of a
like aggregate Fractional Undivided Interest, upon surrender of the
Certificates to be exchanged at any such office or agency. Whenever any
Certificates are so surrendered for exchange, the Trustee shall execute,
authenticate and deliver the Certificates that the Certificateholder making the
exchange is entitled to receive. Every Certificate presented or surrendered for
registration of transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed or accompanied by a
written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the Trustee and the
Registrar duly executed by the Certificateholder thereof or its attorney duly
authorized in writing.

         No service charge shall be made to a Certificateholder for any
registration of transfer or exchange of Certificates, but the Trustee shall
require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or governmental charge
that may be imposed in connection with any transfer or exchange of



                                      21
<PAGE>   28




Certificates. All Certificates surrendered for registration of transfer or
exchange shall be cancelled and subsequently destroyed by the Trustee.

         Section 3.05. Book-Entry and Definitive Certificates. (a) Except for
one Certificate of each series that may be issued in a denomination of other
than an even multiple of $1,000, the Certificates of any series may be issued
at the option of the Company in the form of one or more typewritten
Certificates representing the Book-Entry Certificates of such series, to be
delivered to The Depository Trust Company, the initial Clearing Agency, by, or
on behalf of, the Company. In such case, the Certificates of such series
delivered to The Depository Trust Company shall initially be registered on the
Register in the name of Cede & Co., the nominee of the initial Clearing Agency,
and no Certificate Owner will receive a definitive certificate representing
such Certificate Owner's interest in the Certificates of such series, except as
provided in Subsection (d) below. As to the Certificates of any such series
(other than the one Certificate or such series issued in a denomination of
other than an even multiple of $1,000), unless and until definitive, fully
registered Certificates (the "Definitive Certificates") have been issued
pursuant to Subsection (d) below:

         (1)      the provisions of this Section 3.05 shall be in full force and
                  effect;

         (2)      the Company, the Paying Agent, the Registrar and the Trustee
                  may deal with the Clearing Agency for all purposes (including
                  the making of distributions on the Certificates);

         (3)      to the extent that the provisions of this Section 3.05
                  conflict with any other provisions of this Agreement (other
                  than the provisions of any Trust Supplement expressly
                  amending this Section 3.05 as permitted by this Basic
                  Agreement), the provisions of this Section 3.05 shall
                  control;

         (4)      the rights of Certificate Owners shall be exercised only
                  through the Clearing Agency and shall be limited to those
                  established by law and agreements between such Certificate
                  Owners and the Clearing Agency Participants; and until
                  Definitive Certificates are issued pursuant to Subsection (d)
                  below, the Clearing Agency will make book-entry transfers
                  among the Clearing Agency Participants and receive and
                  transmit distributions of principal, interest and premium, if
                  any, on the Certificates to such Clearing Agency
                  Participants;

         (5)      such Certificates of such series may be transferred in whole,
                  but not in part, and in the manner provided in Section 3.04,
                  by the Clearing Agency holding such Certificates to a nominee
                  of such Clearing Agency, or by such Clearing Agency to a
                  successor Clearing Agency that has been selected or approved
                  by the Company or to a nominee of such successor Clearing
                  Agency; and



                                      22
<PAGE>   29





         (6)      whenever this Agreement requires or permits actions to be
                  taken based upon instructions or directions of
                  Certificateholders of such series holding Certificates of
                  such series evidencing a specified percentage of the
                  Fractional Undivided Interests in the related Trust, the
                  Clearing Agency shall be deemed to represent such percentage
                  only to the extent that it has received instructions to such
                  effect from Clearing Agency Participants owning or
                  representing, respectively, such required percentage of the
                  beneficial interest in Certificates of such series and has
                  delivered such instructions to the Trustee. Neither the
                  Company nor the Trustee shall have any obligation to
                  determine whether the Clearing Agency has in fact received
                  any such instructions.

         (b) Whenever notice or other communication to the Certificateholders
of such series is required under this Agreement, unless and until Definitive
Certificates shall have been issued pursuant to Subsection (d) below, the
Trustee shall give all such notices and communications specified herein to be
given to Certificateholders of such series to the Clearing Agency.

         (c) Unless and until Definitive Certificates of a series are issued
pursuant to Subsection (d) below, on the Record Date prior to each applicable
Regular Distribution Date and Special Distribution Date, the Trustee will
request from the Clearing Agency a securities position listing setting forth
the names of all Clearing Agency Participants reflected on the Clearing
Agency's books as holding interests in the Certificates on such Record Date.

         (d) If with respect to the Certificates of any series (i) the Company
advises the Trustee in writing that the Clearing Agency is no longer willing or
able to discharge properly its responsibilities and the Trustee or the Company
is unable to locate a qualified successor, (ii) the Company, at its option,
advises the Trustee in writing that it elects to terminate the book-entry
system through the Clearing Agency or (iii) after the occurrence of an Event of
Default, Certificate Owners of Book-Entry Certificates of such series
evidencing Fractional Undivided Interests aggregating not less than a majority
in interest in the related Trust, by Act of such Certificate Owners delivered
to the Company and the Trustee, advise the Company, the Trustee and the
Clearing Agency through the Clearing Agency Participants in writing that the
continuation of a book-entry system through the Clearing Agency Participants is
no longer in the best interests of the Certificate Owners of such series, then
the Trustee shall notify all Certificate Owners of such series, through the
Clearing Agency, of the occurrence of any such event and of the availability of
Definitive Certificates. Upon surrender to the Trustee of all the Certificates
of such series held by the Clearing Agency, accompanied by registration
instructions from the Clearing Agency Participants for registration of
Definitive Certificates in the names of Certificate Owners of such series, the
Trustee shall issue and deliver the Definitive Certificates of such series in
accordance with the instructions of the Clearing Agency. Neither the Company,
the Registrar, the Paying Agent nor the Trustee shall be liable for any delay
in delivery of such instructions and may conclusively rely on, and shall be
protected in relying on, such registration instructions. Upon the issuance of
Definitive Certificates of such series, the Trustee shall recognize the Persons
in whose names the Definitive Certificates are registered in the 



                                      23
<PAGE>   30



Register as Certificateholders hereunder. Neither the Company nor the Trustee
shall be liable if the Trustee or the Company is unable to locate a qualified
successor Clearing Agency.

         (e) Except as otherwise provided in the related Trust Supplement, the
Trustee shall enter into the applicable Letter of Representations with respect
to such series of Certificates and fulfill its responsibilities thereunder.

         (f) The provisions of this Section 3.05 may be made inapplicable to
any series or may be amended with respect to any series in the related Trust
Supplement.

         Section 3.06. Mutilated, Destroyed, Lost or Stolen Certificates. If
(i) any mutilated Certificate is surrendered to the Registrar, or the Registrar
receives evidence to its satisfaction of the destruction, loss or theft of any
Certificate, and (ii) there is delivered to the Registrar and the Trustee such
security, indemnity or bond as may be required by them to save each of them
harmless, then, in the absence of notice to the Registrar or the Trustee that
such destroyed, lost or stolen Certificate has been acquired by a bona fide
purchaser, and provided that the requirements of Section 8-405 of the Uniform
Commercial Code in effect in any applicable jurisdiction are met, the Trustee
shall execute, authenticate and deliver, in exchange for or in lieu of any such
mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Certificate, a new Certificate or
Certificates of like series, in authorized denominations and of like Fractional
Undivided Interest and bearing a number not contemporaneously outstanding.

         In connection with the issuance of any new Certificate under this
Section 3.06, the Trustee shall require the payment of a sum sufficient to
cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in relation
thereto and any other expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee
and the Registrar) connected therewith.

         Any duplicate Certificate issued pursuant to this Section 3.06 shall
constitute conclusive evidence of the appropriate Fractional Undivided Interest
in the related Trust, as if originally issued, whether or not the lost, stolen
or destroyed Certificate shall be found at any time.

         The provisions of this Section 3.06 are exclusive and shall preclude
(to the extent lawful) all other rights and remedies with respect to the
replacement or payment of mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen Certificates.

         Section 3.07. Persons Deemed Owners. Prior to due presentment of a
Certificate for registration of transfer, the Company, the Trustee, the
Registrar and any Paying Agent may treat the Person in whose name any
Certificate is registered (as of the day of determination) as the owner of such
Certificate for the purpose of receiving distributions pursuant to Article IV
and for all other purposes whatsoever, and none of the Company, the Trustee,
the Registrar or any Paying Agent shall be affected by any notice to the
contrary. All payments or distributions made to any such Person shall be valid
and, to the extent of the sum or sums so paid, effectual to satisfy and
discharge the liability for moneys payable on any such Certificate.





                                      24
<PAGE>   31




         Section 3.08. Cancellation. All Certificates surrendered for payment
or transfer or exchange shall, if surrendered to the Trustee or any agent of
the Trustee other than the Registrar, be delivered to the Registrar for
cancellation and shall promptly be cancelled by it. No Certificates shall be
authenticated in lieu of or in exchange for any Certificates cancelled as
provided in this Section 3.08, except as expressly permitted by this Agreement.
All cancelled Certificates held by the Registrar shall be destroyed and a
certification of their destruction delivered to the Trustee.

         Section 3.09. Limitation of Liability for Payments. All payments and
distributions made to Certificateholders of any series in respect of the
Certificates of such series shall be made only from the Trust Property of the
related Trust and only to the extent that the Trustee shall have sufficient
income or proceeds from such Trust Property to make such payments in accordance
with the terms of Article IV of this Agreement. Each Certificateholder, by its
acceptance of a Certificate, agrees that it will look solely to the income and
proceeds from the Trust Property of the related Trust for any payment or
distribution due to such Certificateholder pursuant to the terms of this
Agreement and that it will not have any recourse to the Company, the Trustee,
the Loan Trustees, any Owner Trustee or any Owner Participant except as
otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement, in any Note Document or in any
related Intercreditor Agreement.

         The Company is a party to this Agreement solely for purposes of
meeting the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act, and therefore shall not
have any right, obligation or liability hereunder, or under the terms of any
Trust Supplement or any Certificates (except as otherwise expressly provided
herein or therein).

         Section 3.10. CUSIP Numbers. The Certificates may include "CUSIP"
numbers (if then generally in use), and if so, the Trustee may use the CUSIP
numbers in notices in respect of the Certificates; provided, however, that any
such notice may state that no representation is made as to the correctness or
accuracy of the CUSIP number printed in the notice or on the Certificates, that
reliance may be placed only on the other identification numbers printed on the
Certificates, and any such notice shall not be affected by any defect or
omission of such CUSIP numbers.


                                   ARTICLE IV

                DISTRIBUTIONS; STATEMENTS TO CERTIFICATEHOLDERS

         Section 4.01. Certificate Account and Special Payments Account. (a)
The Trustee shall establish and maintain on behalf of the Certificateholders of
each series a Certificate Account as one or more non-interest-bearing accounts.
The Trustee shall hold such Certificate Account in trust for the benefit of the
Certificateholders of such series, and shall make or permit withdrawals
therefrom only as provided in this Agreement or any Intercreditor Agreement. On
each day when a Scheduled Payment is made to the Trustee or the Subordination
Agent, as the case may be, as holder of the Equipment Notes issued under the
related Indenture, with respect to the Certificates of any series, 






                                      25
<PAGE>   32


the Trustee, upon receipt of the payments to it, shall immediately deposit the
aggregate amount of such Scheduled Payment in the applicable Certificate
Account.

         (b) The Trustee shall establish and maintain on behalf of the
Certificateholders of each series a Special Payments Account as one or more
accounts, which shall be non-interest bearing except as provided in Section
4.04. The Trustee shall hold the Special Payments Account in trust for the
benefit of the Certificateholders of such series and shall make or permit
withdrawals therefrom only as provided in this Agreement or any Intercreditor
Agreement. On each day when one or more Special Payments are made to the
Trustee or the Subordination Agent, as the case may be, as holder of the
Equipment Notes issued under the related Indenture or to the Trustee pursuant
to the last two paragraphs of Section 2.02(b) with respect to the Certificates
of any series, the Trustee, upon receipt of the payments to it, shall
immediately deposit the aggregate amount of such Special Payments in the
applicable Special Payments Account.

         (c) The Trustee shall present (or, if applicable, cause the
Subordination Agent to present) to the Loan Trustee to which an Equipment Note
relates such Equipment Note on the date of its stated final maturity or, in the
case of any Equipment Note which is to be redeemed or purchased in whole
pursuant to the related Indenture, on the applicable redemption or purchase
date under such Indenture.

         Section 4.02. Distributions from Certificate Account and Special
Payments Account. (a) Subject to the provisions of any Intercreditor Agreement,
on each Regular Distribution Date with respect to a series of Certificates or
as soon thereafter as the Trustee has confirmed receipt of the payment of all
or any part of the Scheduled Payments due on the Equipment Notes held in the
related Trust on such date, the Trustee shall distribute out of the applicable
Certificate Account the entire amount deposited therein pursuant to Section
4.01(a). There shall be so distributed to each Certificateholder of record of
such series on the Record Date with respect to such Regular Distribution Date
(other than as provided in Section 11.01 concerning the final distribution) by
check mailed to such Certificateholder, at the address appearing in the
Register, such Certificateholder's pro rata share (based on the aggregate
Fractional Undivided Interest in the related Trust held by such
Certificateholder) of the total amount in the applicable Certificate Account,
except that, with respect to Certificates registered on the Record Date in the
name of a Clearing Agency (or its nominee), such distribution shall be made by
wire transfer in immediately available funds to the account designated by such
Clearing Agency (or such nominee).

         (b) Subject to the provisions of any Intercreditor Agreement, on each
Special Distribution Date with respect to any Special Payment with respect to a
series of Certificates or as soon thereafter as the Trustee has confirmed
receipt of any Special Payments due on the Equipment Notes held in the related
Trust or realized upon the sale of such Equipment Notes, the Trustee shall
distribute out of the applicable Special Payments Account the entire amount of
such applicable Special Payment deposited therein pursuant to Section 4.01(b).
There shall be so distributed to each Certificateholder of record of such
series on the Record Date with respect to such Special Distribution Date (other
than 




                                      26
<PAGE>   33




as provided in Section 11.01 concerning the final distribution) by check
mailed to such Certificateholder, at the address appearing in the Register,
such Certificateholder's pro rata share (based on the aggregate Fractional
Undivided Interest in the related Trust held by such Certificateholder) of the
total amount in the applicable Special Payments Account on account of such
Special Payment, except that, with respect to Certificates registered on the
Record Date in the name of a Clearing Agency (or its nominee), such
distribution shall be made by wire transfer in immediately available funds to
the account designated by such Clearing Agency (or such nominee).

         (c) The Trustee shall, at the expense of the Company, cause notice of
each Special Payment with respect to a series of Certificates to be mailed to
each Certificateholder of such series at his address as it appears in the
Register. Subject to the provisions of any Intercreditor Agreement: (i) in the
event of redemption or purchase of Equipment Notes held in the related Trust,
such notice shall be mailed not less than 15 days prior to the Special
Distribution Date for the Special Payment resulting from such redemption or
purchase, which Special Distribution Date shall be the date of such redemption
or purchase; (ii) in the event that the Trustee receives a notice from the
Company pursuant to Section 2.02(b) that Postponed Notes will not be purchased
by the Trustee, such notice of Special Payment shall be mailed as soon as
practicable after receipt of such notice from the Company and shall state the
Special Distribution Date for such Special Payment, which shall occur 15 days
after the date of such notice of Special Payment or (if such 15th day is not
practicable) as soon as practicable thereafter; (iii) in the event that any
Special Payment is to be made pursuant to the last paragraph of Section
2.02(b), such notice of Special Payment shall be mailed on the Cut-off Date
(or, if such mailing on the Cut-off Date is not practicable, as soon as
practicable after the Cut-off Date) and shall state the Special Distribution
Date for such Special Payment, which shall occur 15 days after the date of such
notice of Special Payment or (if such 15th day is not practicable) as soon as
practicable thereafter; and (iv) in the case of any other Special Payments,
such notice of Special Payment shall be mailed as soon as practicable after the
Trustee has confirmed that it has received funds for such Special Payment and
shall state the Special Distribution Date for such Special Payment, which shall
occur 15 days after the date of such notice of Special Payment or (if such 15th
day is not practicable) as soon as practicable thereafter. Notices mailed by
the Trustee as provided in the paragraphs above shall set forth:

         (i) the Special Distribution Date and the Record Date therefor (except
as otherwise provided in Section 11.01);

         (ii) the amount of the Special Payment (taking into account any
payment to be made by the Responsible Party pursuant to Section 2.02(b)) for
each $1,000 face amount Certificate and the amount thereof constituting
principal, premium, if any, and interest;

         (iii)  the reason for the Special Payment; and




                                      27
<PAGE>   34




         (iv) if the Special Distribution Date is the same date as a Regular
Distribution Date for the Certificates of such series, the total amount to be
received on such date for each $1,000 face amount Certificate.

         If the amount of premium, if any, payable upon the redemption or
purchase of an Equipment Note has not been calculated at the time that the
Trustee mails notice of a Special Payment, it shall be sufficient if the notice
sets forth the other amounts to be distributed and states that any premium
received will also be distributed.

         If any redemption or purchase of the Equipment Notes held in any Trust
is cancelled, the Trustee, as soon as possible after learning thereof, shall
cause notice thereof to be mailed to each Certificateholder of the related
series at its address as it appears on the Register.

         Section 4.03. Statements to Certificateholders. (a) On each Regular
Distribution Date and Special Distribution Date, the Trustee will include with
each distribution to Certificateholders of the related series a statement,
giving effect to the distribution to be made on such Regular Distribution Date
or Special Distribution Date, and, except to the extent otherwise provided in
the applicable Trust Supplement, setting forth the following information (per
$1,000 aggregate face amount of Certificate as to (i) and (ii) below):

         (i) the amount of such distribution allocable to principal and the
amount allocable to premium, if any;

         (ii) the amount of such distribution allocable to interest; and

         (iii) the Pool Balance and the Pool Factor of the related Trust.

         With respect to the Certificates registered in the name of a Clearing
Agency or its nominee, on the Record Date prior to each Regular Distribution
Date and Special Distribution Date, the Trustee will request from the Clearing
Agency a securities position listing setting forth the names of all the
Clearing Agency Participants reflected on the Clearing Agency's books as
holding interests in the Certificates on such Record Date. On each Regular
Distribution Date and Special Distribution Date, the applicable Trustee will
mail to each such Clearing Agency Participant the statement described above and
will make available additional copies as requested by such Clearing Agency
Participants for forwarding to holders of interests in the Certificates.

         (b) Within a reasonable period of time after the end of each calendar
year but not later than the latest date permitted by law, except to the extent
otherwise provided in the applicable Trust Supplement, the Trustee shall
furnish to each Person who at any time during such calendar year was a
Certificateholder of record a statement containing the sum of the amounts
determined pursuant to clauses (a)(i) and (a)(ii) above with respect to the
related Trust for such calendar year or, in the event such Person was a
Certificateholder of record during a portion of such calendar year, for the



                                      28
<PAGE>   35




applicable portion of such year, and such other items as are readily available
to the Trustee and which a Certificateholder shall reasonably request as
necessary for the purpose of such Certificateholder's preparation of its
federal income tax returns. With respect to Certificates registered in the name
of a Clearing Agency or its nominee, such statement and such other items shall
be prepared on the basis of information supplied to the Trustee by the Clearing
Agency Participants and shall be delivered by the Trustee to such Clearing
Agency Participants to be available for forwarding by such Clearing Agency
Participants to the holders of interests in the Certificates in the manner
described in Section 4.03(a).

         Section 4.04. Investment of Special Payment Moneys. Any money received
by the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.01(b) representing a Special Payment which
is not distributed on the date received shall, to the extent practicable, be
invested by the Trustee in Permitted Investments selected by the Company in
telephonic (confirmed in writing) or written instructions to the Trustee
pending distribution of such Special Payment pursuant to Section 4.02. Any
investment made pursuant to this Section 4.04 shall be in such Permitted
Investments having maturities not later than the date that such moneys are
required to be used to make the payment required under Section 4.02 on the
applicable Special Distribution Date and the Trustee shall hold any such
Permitted Investments until maturity. Absent receipt of instructions from the
Company, such Special Payment shall remain uninvested by the Trustee pending
receipt of investment instructions. The Trustee shall have no liability with
respect to any investment made pursuant to this Section 4.04, other than by
reason of the willful misconduct or negligence of the Trustee. All income and
earnings from such investments shall be distributed on such Special
Distribution Date as part of such Special Payment.


                                   ARTICLE V

                                  THE COMPANY

         Section 5.01. Maintenance of Corporate Existence.The Company, at its
own cost and expense, will do or cause to be done all things necessary to
preserve and keep in full force and effect its corporate existence, rights and
franchises, except as otherwise specifically permitted in Section 5.02;
provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to preserve any right
or franchise if the Company shall determine that the preservation thereof is no
longer desirable in the conduct of the business of the Company.

         Section 5.02. Consolidation, Merger, Etc. (a) The Company shall not
consolidate with or merge into any other corporation under circumstances where
the Company is not the surviving corporation or convey, transfer or lease
substantially all of its assets as an entirety to any Person unless the
corporation formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or
the Person that acquires by conveyance, transfer or lease substantially all of
the assets of the Company as an entirety shall be organized and validly
existing under the laws of the United States of America or any state thereof or
the District of Columbia, and such corporation or Person shall execute and



                                      29
<PAGE>   36



deliver to the Trustee an agreement in form and substance reasonably
satisfactory to the Trustee containing an assumption by such successor
corporation or Person of the due and punctual performance and observance of
each covenant and condition of this Agreement.

         (b) Upon any consolidation or merger, or any conveyance, transfer or
lease of substantially all of the assets of the Company as an entirety in
accordance with this Section 5.02, the successor corporation or Person formed
by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or to which such
conveyance, transfer or lease is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for,
and may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Agreement
with the same effect as if such successor corporation or Person had been named
as the Company herein.

         (c) The Trustee may receive an Officer's Certificate and an Opinion of
Counsel of the Company as conclusive evidence that any such consolidation,
merger, conveyance, transfer or lease, and any such assumption, complies with
the provisions of this Section 5.02.


                                   ARTICLE VI

                                    DEFAULT

         Section 6.01. Indenture Events of Default and Triggering Events. (a)
If in respect of any Trust, any Event of Default shall occur and be continuing,
then, and in each and every case, so long as such Event of Default shall be
continuing and subject to the provisions of any Intercreditor Agreement, the
Trustee may vote all of the Equipment Notes issued under the related Indenture
and held in such Trust, and, upon the direction of the Certificateholders
holding Certificates evidencing Fractional Undivided Interests in such Trust
aggregating not less than a majority in interest in such Trust, the Trustee
shall vote not less than a corresponding majority of such Equipment Notes in
favor of directing the Loan Trustee under such Indenture to declare the unpaid
principal amount of the Equipment Notes then outstanding to which such Event of
Default relates and accrued interest thereon to be due and payable under, and
in accordance with the provisions of, the relevant Indenture. In addition, if
an Indenture Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing under any
Indenture, subject to the provisions of any Intercreditor Agreement, the
Trustee may in accordance with the relevant Indenture vote the Equipment Notes
held in the Trust to which such Event of Default relates to direct the Loan
Trustee regarding the exercise of remedies provided in such Indenture.

         (b) In addition, after an Event of Default shall have occurred and be
continuing with respect to any Equipment Note, subject to the provisions of any
Intercreditor Agreement, the Trustee may in its discretion, and upon the
direction of the Certificateholders holding Certificates evidencing Fractional
Undivided Interests aggregating not less than a majority in interest in the
related Trust shall, by such officer or agent as it may appoint, sell, convey,
transfer and deliver such Equipment Note or Equipment Notes, without recourse
to or warranty by the Trustee or any Certificateholder, 




                                      30
<PAGE>   37



to any Person. In any such case, the Trustee shall sell, assign, contract to
sell or otherwise dispose of and deliver such Equipment Note or Equipment Notes
in one or more parcels at public or private sale or sales, at any location or
locations at the option of the Trustee, all upon such terms and conditions as
it may reasonably deem advisable and at such prices as it may reasonably deem
advisable, for cash. If the Trustee so decides or is required to sell or
otherwise dispose of any Equipment Note pursuant to this Section, the Trustee
shall take such of the actions described above as it may reasonably deem most
effectual to complete the sale or other disposition of such Equipment Note, so
as to provide for the payment in full of all amounts due on the related series
of Certificates. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any action taken by the Trustee
under this Section shall not, in the reasonable judgment of the Trustee, be
adverse to the best interests of the Certificateholders of such series.

         (c) If an Intercreditor Agreement is applicable, upon the occurrence
and during the continuation of any Indenture Event of Default under any
Indenture, the Trustee may, to the extent it is the Controlling Party at such
time (as determined pursuant to the related Intercreditor Agreement), direct
the exercise of remedies as provided in such related Intercreditor Agreement.

         (d) If an Intercreditor Agreement is applicable, by acceptance of its
Certificate, each Certificateholder agrees that at any time after the
occurrence and during the continuation of a Triggering Event, each
Certificateholder of Certificates of certain series (each, a "Potential
Purchaser" and, collectively, the "Potential Purchasers") may have certain
rights to purchase the Certificates of one or more other series, all as set
forth in the Trust Supplement applicable to the Certificates held by such
Potential Purchaser. The purchase price with respect to the Certificates of any
series, and the procedure for such purchase, shall be specified in such Trust
Supplement or the applicable Intercreditor Agreement. By acceptance of its
Certificate, each Certificateholder (each, a "Selling Certificateholder" and,
collectively, the "Selling Certificateholders") of a series that is subject to
purchase by Potential Purchasers, all as set forth in the Trust Supplement
applicable to the Certificates held by the Selling Certificateholders, agrees
that, at any time after the occurrence and during the continuance of a
Triggering Event, it will, upon payment of the applicable purchase price by one
or more Potential Purchasers (upon such purchase, a "Purchasing
Certificateholder"), forthwith sell, assign, transfer and convey to such
Purchasing Certificateholder (without recourse, representation or warranty of
any kind except for its own acts) all of the right, title, interest and
obligation of such Selling Certificateholder in this Agreement, any related
Intercreditor Agreement, any related Liquidity Facility, the related Note
Documents and all Certificates of such series held by such Selling
Certificateholder (excluding all right, title and interest under any of the
foregoing to the extent such right, title or interest is with respect to an
obligation not then due and payable as respects any action or inaction or state
of affairs occurring prior to such sale) and the Purchasing Certificateholder
shall assume all of such Selling Certificateholder's obligations under this
Agreement, any related Intercreditor Agreement, any related Liquidity Facility
and the related Note Documents. The Certificates of such series will be deemed
to be purchased on the date payment of the purchase price is made
notwithstanding the failure of any Selling Certificateholder to deliver any
Certificates of such series and, upon such a purchase, (i) the only rights of
the Selling 




                                      31
<PAGE>   38



Certificateholders will be to deliver the Certificates to the Purchasing
Certificateholder and receive the purchase price for such Certificates of such
series and (ii) if the Purchasing Certificateholder shall so request, such
Selling Certificateholder will comply with all of the provisions of Section
3.04 hereof to enable new Certificates of such series to be issued to the
Purchasing Certificateholder in such denominations as it shall request. All
charges and expenses in connection with the issuance of any such new
Certificates shall be borne by the Purchasing Certificateholder.

         Section 6.02. Incidents of Sale of Equipment Notes. Upon any sale of
all or any part of the Equipment Notes held in the Trust made either under the
power of sale given under this Agreement or otherwise for the enforcement of
this Agreement, the following shall be applicable:

         (1)      Certificateholders and Trustee May Purchase Equipment Notes.
                  Any Certificateholder, the Trustee in its individual or any
                  other capacity or any other Person may bid for and purchase
                  any of the Equipment Notes held in the Trust, and upon
                  compliance with the terms of sale, may hold, retain, possess
                  and dispose of such Equipment Notes in their own absolute
                  right without further accountability.

         (2)      Receipt of Trustee Shall Discharge Purchaser. The receipt of
                  the Trustee making such sale shall be a sufficient discharge
                  to any purchaser for its purchase money, and, after paying
                  such purchase money and receiving such receipt, such
                  purchaser or its personal representative or assigns shall not
                  be obliged to see to the application of such purchase money,
                  or be in any way answerable for any loss, misapplication or
                  non-application thereof.

         (3)      Application of Moneys Received Upon Sale. Any moneys
                  collected by the Trustee upon any sale made either under the
                  power of sale given by this Agreement or otherwise for the
                  enforcement of this Agreement shall be applied as provided in
                  Section 4.02. In the event that the proceeds of such sale of
                  Equipment Notes are less than the principal amount of the
                  Certificates of such series Outstanding, the
                  Certificateholders shall have no claim for such shortfall
                  against the Company, the Trustee or any other Person
                  including the related Owner Trustee or related Owner
                  Participant, if any.

         Section 6.03. Judicial Proceedings Instituted by Trustee; Trustee May
Bring Suit. If there shall be a failure to make payment of the principal of,
premium, if any, or interest on any Equipment Note held in the related Trust,
or if there shall be any failure to pay Rent (as defined in the relevant Lease)
under any Lease when due and payable, then the Trustee, in its own name and as
trustee of an express trust, as holder of such Equipment Notes, to the extent
permitted by and in accordance with the terms of any related Intercreditor
Agreement and any related Note Documents (subject to rights of the applicable
Owner Trustee or Owner Participant, if any, to cure any such failure to pay
principal of, premium, if any, or interest on any Equipment Note or to pay Rent
under any Lease in 




                                      32
<PAGE>   39



accordance with the applicable Indenture and to the rights of the Lessee under
any applicable Lease), shall be entitled and empowered to institute any suits,
actions or proceedings at law, in equity or otherwise, for the collection of
the sums so due and unpaid on such Equipment Notes or under such Lease and may
prosecute any such claim or proceeding to judgment or final decree with respect
to the whole amount of any such sums so due and unpaid.

         All rights of action and of asserting claims under this Agreement, or
under any of the Certificates, may be prosecuted and enforced by the Trustee
without the possession of any of such Certificates or the production thereof in
any trial or other proceedings relative thereto, and any such action or
proceedings instituted by the Trustee shall be brought in its own name as
trustee of an express trust, and any recovery of judgment, subject to the
payment of the expenses, disbursements and compensation of the Trustee, each
predecessor Trustee and their respective agents and attorneys, shall be for the
ratable benefit of the Certificateholders of the related series.

         In any proceedings brought by the Trustee (and also any proceedings
involving the interpretation of any provision of this Agreement, any Trust
Supplement or any Intercreditor Agreement to which the Trustee shall be a
party) the Trustee shall be held to represent all the Certificateholders of the
related series, and it shall not be necessary to make any such
Certificateholders parties to any such proceedings.

         Section 6.04. Control by Certificateholders. Subject to Section 6.03
and any related Intercreditor Agreement, the Certificateholders holding
Certificates of a series evidencing Fractional Undivided Interests aggregating
not less than a majority in interest in the related Trust shall have the right
to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for any
remedy available to the Trustee with respect to such Trust or pursuant to the
terms of such Intercreditor Agreement, or exercising any trust or power
conferred on the Trustee under this Agreement or such Intercreditor Agreement,
including any right of the Trustee as Controlling Party under such
Intercreditor Agreement or as holder of the Equipment Notes held in the related
Trust; provided that:

         (1)      such Direction shall not in the opinion of the Trustee be in
                  conflict with any rule of law or with this Agreement and
                  would not involve the Trustee in personal liability or
                  expense;

         (2)      the Trustee shall not determine that the action so directed
                  would be unjustly prejudicial to the Certificateholders of
                  such series not taking part in such Direction;

         (3)      the Trustee may take any other action deemed proper by the 
                  Trustee  which is not  inconsistent  with such Direction; and

         (4)      if an Event of Default under a related Indenture shall have
                  occurred and be continuing, such direction shall not obligate
                  the Trustee to vote more than a corresponding majority of the
                  related Equipment Notes held by the Trust in favor of
                  directing any action by the related Loan Trustee with respect
                  to such Event of Default.




                                      33
<PAGE>   40




         Section 6.05. Waiver of Past Defaults. Subject to any related
Intercreditor Agreement, the Certificateholders holding Certificates of a
series evidencing Fractional Undivided Interests aggregating not less than a
majority in interest in the related Trust (i) may on behalf of all of the
Certificateholders of such series waive any past default or Event of Default
hereunder and its consequences or (ii) if the Trustee is the Controlling Party,
may direct the Trustee to instruct the applicable Loan Trustee to waive any
past Indenture default, Indenture Event of Default or, if applicable, the
corresponding Lease default, under any related Indenture and its consequences,
and thereby annul any Direction given by such Certificateholders or the Trustee
to such Loan Trustee with respect thereto, except a default:

         (1)      in the deposit of any Scheduled Payment or Special Payment
                  under Section 4.01 or in the distribution of any payment
                  under Section 4.02 on the Certificates of a series; or

         (2)      in the payment of the principal of, premium, if any, or
                  interest on the Equipment Notes held in the related Trust; or

         (3)      in respect of a covenant or provision hereof which under
                  Article IX hereof cannot be modified or amended without the
                  consent of each Certificateholder holding an Outstanding
                  Certificate of the series affected thereby.

         Upon any such waiver, such default shall cease to exist with respect
to the Certificates of such series and any Event of Default arising therefrom
shall be deemed to have been cured for every purpose in respect of such series
and any direction given by the Trustee on behalf of the Certificateholders of
such series to the relevant Loan Trustee shall be annulled with respect
thereto; but no such waiver shall extend to any subsequent or other default or
Event of Default or impair any right consequent thereon. Upon any such waiver,
the Trustee shall vote the Equipment Notes issued under the relevant Indenture
to waive the corresponding Indenture Event of Default (and, if applicable, the
corresponding Lease default).

         Section 6.06. Right of Certificateholders to Receive Payments Not to
Be Impaired. Anything in this Agreement (including Section 6.07) to the
contrary notwithstanding, but subject to any related Intercreditor Agreement,
the right of any Certificateholder to receive distributions of payments
required pursuant to Section 4.02 hereof on the applicable Certificates when
due, or to institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after
the applicable Regular Distribution Date or Special Distribution Date, shall
not be impaired or affected without the consent of such Certificateholder.



                                      34
<PAGE>   41




         Section 6.07. Certificateholders May Not Bring Suit Except Under
Certain Conditions. A Certificateholder of any series shall not have the right
to institute any suit, action or proceeding at law or in equity or otherwise
with respect to this Agreement for the appointment of a receiver or for the
enforcement of any other remedy under this Agreement, unless:

         (1)      such Certificateholder previously shall have given written
                  notice to the Trustee of a continuing Event of Default;

         (2)      Certificateholders holding Certificates of such series
                  evidencing Fractional Undivided Interests aggregating not
                  less than 25% of the related Trust shall have requested the
                  Trustee in writing to institute such action, suit or
                  proceeding and shall have offered to the Trustee indemnity as
                  provided in Section 7.03(e);

         (3)      the Trustee shall have refused or neglected to institute any
                  such action, suit or proceeding for 60 days after receipt of
                  such notice, request and offer of indemnity; and

         (4)      no direction inconsistent with such written request shall
                  have been given to the Trustee during such 60-day period by
                  Certificateholders holding Certificates of such series
                  evidencing Fractional Undivided Interests aggregating not
                  less than a majority in interest in the related Trust.

         Except to the extent provided in any applicable Intercreditor
Agreement or in any applicable Trust Supplement, it is understood and intended
that no one or more of the Certificateholders of any series shall have any
right in any manner whatsoever hereunder or under the related Trust Supplement
or under the Certificates of such series to (i) surrender, impair, waive,
affect, disturb or prejudice any property in the Trust Property of the related
Trust, or the lien of any related Indenture on any property subject thereto, or
the rights of the Certificateholders of such series or the holders of the
related Equipment Notes, (ii) obtain or seek to obtain priority over or
preference with respect to any other such Certificateholder of such series or
(iii) enforce any right under this Agreement, except in the manner herein
provided and for the equal, ratable and common benefit of all the
Certificateholders of such series subject to the provisions of this Agreement.

         Section 6.08. Remedies Cumulative. Every right or remedy given
hereunder to the Trustee or to any of the Certificateholders of any series
shall not be exclusive of any other right or remedy or remedies, and every such
right or remedy shall be cumulative and in addition to every other right or
remedy given hereunder or now or hereafter given by statute, law, equity or
otherwise. No delay or omission by the Trustee or of any such Certificateholder
in the exercise of any right, remedy or power or in the pursuance of any remedy
shall impair any such right, power or remedy or be construed to be a waiver of
any default on the part of the applicable Owner Trustee, if any, or the
Company, as the case may be, or to be an acquiescence therein.




                                      35
<PAGE>   42



         Section 6.09. Discontinuance of Proceedings. If the Trustee or any
Certificateholder of any Series institutes any proceeding to enforce any right,
power or remedy under the related Trust, and such proceeding is discontinued or
abandoned for any reason or is determined adversely to the Trustee or such
Certificateholder, then and in every such case the applicable Owner Trustee, if
any, and the applicable Indenture Trustee, the Trustee, the Certificateholders
of such Series and the Company shall, subject to any determination in such
proceeding, be restored to their former positions and rights under such Trust
with respect to the Trust Property and all rights, remedies and powers of the
Trustee and such Certificateholders shall continue as if no such proceeding had
been instituted.

         Section 6.10. Undertaking for Costs. All parties to this Agreement,
and each Certificateholder by acceptance of a Certificate, shall be deemed to
have agreed that, in any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under
this Agreement, or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken,
suffered or omitted by it as Trustee, a court may require any party litigant in
such suit to file an undertaking to pay the costs of such suit, and may assess
costs against any such party litigant, in the manner and to the extent provided
in the Trust Indenture Act or by any other applicable law; provided, however,
that neither this Section 6.10 nor the Trust Indenture Act shall be deemed to
authorize any court to require such an undertaking or to make such an
assessment in any suit instituted by the Company.


                                  ARTICLE VII

                                  THE TRUSTEE

         Section 7.01. Certain Duties and Responsibilities. (a) Except during
the continuance of an Event of Default in respect of a Trust, (1) the Trustee
undertakes to perform such duties in respect of such Trust as are specifically
set forth in this Agreement, the Intercreditor Agreement and the Note
Documents, and no implied covenants or obligations shall be read into such
agreements against the Trustee; and (2) in the absence of bad faith on its
part, the Trustee may conclusively rely, as to the truth of the statements and
the correctness of the opinions expressed therein, upon certificates or
opinions furnished to the Trustee and conforming to the requirements of this
Agreement; but in the case of any such certificates or opinions that by any
provision hereof are specifically required to be furnished to the Trustee, the
Trustee shall be under a duty to examine the same to determine whether or not
they conform to the requirements of this Agreement.

         (b) In case an Event of Default in respect of a Trust has occurred and
is continuing, the Trustee shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested
in it by this Agreement in respect of such Trust, and use the same degree of
care and skill in their exercise, as a prudent person would exercise or use
under the circumstances in the conduct of his or her own affairs.




                                      36
<PAGE>   43




         (c) No provision of this Agreement shall be construed to relieve the
Trustee from liability for its own negligent action, its own negligent failure
to act, or its own willful misconduct, except that:

         (1)      this Subsection (c) shall not be construed to limit the
                  effect of Subsection (a) of this Section 7.01; and

         (2)      the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment
                  made in good faith by a Responsible Officer of the Trustee,
                  unless it shall be proved that the Trustee was negligent in
                  ascertaining the pertinent facts.

         (d) Whether or not herein expressly so provided, every provision of
this Agreement relating to the conduct or affecting the liability of or
affording protection to the Trustee shall be subject to the provisions of this
Section 7.01.

         Section 7.02. Notice of Defaults. As promptly as practicable after,
and in any event within 90 days after, the occurrence of any default (as such
term is defined below) hereunder known to the Trustee, the Trustee shall
transmit by mail to the Company, any related Owner Trustees, any related Owner
Participants, the related Loan Trustees and the Certificateholders holding
Certificates of the related series, in the manner and to the extent provided in
Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, notice of such default hereunder
known to the Trustee, unless such default shall have been cured or waived;
provided that, in the case of defaults not relating to the payment of money,
the Trustee shall not give such notice until the earlier of the time at which
such default becomes an Event of Default and the expiration of 60 days from the
occurrence of such default; and provided, however, that, except in the case of
a default in the payment of the principal, premium, if any, or interest on any
Equipment Note, the Trustee shall be protected in withholding such notice if
and so long as the board of directors, the executive committee or a trust
committee of directors and/or Responsible Officers of the Trustee in good faith
shall determine that the withholding of such notice is in the interests of the
Certificateholders of the related series. For the purpose of this Section 7.02
in respect of any Trust, the term "default" means any event that is, or after
notice or lapse of time or both would become, an Event of Default in respect of
that Trust or a Triggering Event under any Intercreditor Agreement.

         Section 7.03. Certain Rights of Trustee.Subject to the provisions of
Section 315 of the Trust Indenture Act:

         (a) the Trustee may rely and shall be protected in acting or
refraining from acting in reliance upon any resolution, certificate, statement,
instrument, opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond,
debenture or other paper or document believed by it to be genuine and to have
been signed or presented by the proper party or parties;



                                      37
<PAGE>   44



         (b) any request or direction of the Company mentioned herein shall be
sufficiently evidenced by a Request;

         (c) whenever in the administration of this Agreement or any
Intercreditor Agreement the Trustee shall deem it desirable that a matter be
proved or established prior to taking, suffering or omitting any action
hereunder, the Trustee (unless other evidence be herein specifically
prescribed) may, in the absence of bad faith on its part, rely upon an
Officer's Certificate of the Company, any related Owner Trustee or any related
Loan Trustee;

         (d) the Trustee may consult with counsel and the advice of such
counsel or any Opinion of Counsel shall be full and complete authorization and
protection in respect of any action taken, suffered or omitted by it hereunder
in good faith and in reliance thereon;

         (e) the Trustee shall be under no obligation to exercise any of the
rights or powers vested in it by this Agreement or any Intercreditor Agreement
at the Direction of any of the Certificateholders pursuant to this Agreement or
any Intercreditor Agreement, unless such Certificateholders shall have offered
to the Trustee reasonable security or indemnity against the cost, expenses and
liabilities which might be incurred by it in compliance with such Direction;

         (f) the Trustee shall not be bound to make any investigation into the
facts or matters stated in any resolution, certificate, statement, instrument,
opinion, report, notice, request, direction, consent, order, bond, debenture or
other paper or document;

         (g) the Trustee may execute any of the trusts or powers under this
Agreement or any Intercreditor Agreement or perform any duties under this
Agreement or any Intercreditor Agreement either directly or by or through
agents or attorneys, and the Trustee shall not be responsible for any
misconduct or negligence on the part of any agent or attorney appointed with
due care by it under this Agreement or any Intercreditor Agreement;

         (h) the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action taken
or omitted to be taken by it in good faith in accordance with the Direction of
the Certificateholders holding Certificates of any series evidencing Fractional
Undivided Interests aggregating not less than a majority in interest in the
related Trust relating to the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee, or exercising any trust or
power conferred upon the Trustee, under this Agreement or any Intercreditor
Agreement; and

         (i) the Trustee shall not be required to expend or risk its own funds
in the performance of any of its duties under this Agreement, or in the
exercise of any of its rights or powers, if it shall have reasonable grounds
for believing that repayment of such funds or adequate indemnity against such
risk is not reasonably assured to it.



                                      38
<PAGE>   45




         Section 7.04. Not Responsible for Recitals or Issuance of
Certificates. The recitals contained herein and in the Certificates of each
series, except the certificates of authentication, shall not be taken as the
statements of the Trustee, and the Trustee assumes no responsibility for their
correctness. Subject to Section 7.15, the Trustee makes no representations as
to the validity or sufficiency of this Basic Agreement, any Equipment Notes,
any Intercreditor Agreement, the Certificates of any series, any Trust
Supplement or any Note Documents, except that the Trustee hereby represents and
warrants that this Basic Agreement has been, and each Trust Supplement, each
Certificate, each Note Purchase Agreement and each Intercreditor Agreement of,
or relating to, each series will be, executed and delivered by one of its
officers who is duly authorized to execute and deliver such document on its
behalf.

         Section 7.05. May Hold Certificates. The Trustee, any Paying Agent,
Registrar or any of their Affiliates or any other agent, in their respective
individual or any other capacity, may become the owner or pledgee of
Certificates and, subject to Sections 310(b) and 311 of the Trust Indenture
Act, if applicable, may otherwise deal with the Company, any Owner Trustees,
any Owner Participants or the Loan Trustees with the same rights it would have
if it were not Trustee, Paying Agent, Registrar or such other agent.

         Section 7.06. Money Held in Trust. Money held by the Trustee or the
Paying Agent in trust under this Agreement need not be segregated from other
funds except to the extent required herein or by law and neither the Trustee
nor the Paying Agent shall have any liability for interest upon any such moneys
except as provided for herein or in the applicable Trust Supplement.

         Section 7.07.   Compensation and Reimbursement.    The Company agrees:

         (1)      to pay, or cause to be paid, to the Trustee from time to time
                  such compensation for all services rendered by it hereunder
                  as the Company and the Trustee may agree in writing from time
                  to time (which compensation shall not be limited by any
                  provision of law in regard to the compensation of a trustee
                  of an express trust); and

         (2)      except as otherwise expressly provided herein or in any Trust
                  Supplement, to reimburse, or cause to be reimbursed, the
                  Trustee upon its request for all reasonable out-of-pocket
                  expenses, disbursements and advances incurred or made by the
                  Trustee in accordance with any provision of this Basic
                  Agreement, any Trust Supplement or any Intercreditor
                  Agreement (including the reasonable compensation and the
                  expenses and disbursements of its agents and counsel), except
                  any such expense, disbursement or advance as may be
                  attributable to the Trustee's negligence, willful misconduct
                  or bad faith or as may be incurred due to the Trustee's
                  breach of its representations and warranties set forth in
                  Section 7.15; and

         (3)      to indemnify, or cause to be indemnified, the Trustee, solely
                  in its individual capacity, for, and to hold it harmless
                  against, any loss, liability, tax (other than any 



                                      39
<PAGE>   46



                  tax referred to in the next paragraph or any tax attributable
                  to the Trustee's compensation for serving as such), cost or
                  expense incurred without negligence, willful misconduct or
                  bad faith on its part, arising out of or in connection with
                  the acceptance or administration of any Trust, including the
                  costs and expenses of (a) defending itself against any claim
                  or liability in connection with the exercise or performance
                  of any of its powers or duties hereunder or under any Trust
                  Supplement or (b) contesting the imposition of any such tax,
                  except in each case for any such loss, liability, tax, cost
                  or expense incurred by reason of the Trustee's breach of its
                  representations and warranties set forth in Section 7.15 or
                  in any Trust Supplement or the Trustee's failure to perform
                  any of its obligations hereunder or under any Trust
                  Supplement. The Trustee shall notify the Company promptly of
                  any claim or tax for which it may seek indemnity. The Company
                  shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall cooperate in the
                  defense. The Trustee may have separate counsel with the
                  consent of the Company and the Company will pay the
                  reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel. The Company
                  need not pay for any settlement made or any taxes paid, in
                  settlement or otherwise, without its consent.

         The Trustee shall be entitled to reimbursement from, and shall have a
lien prior to the Certificates of each series upon, all property and funds held
or collected by the Trustee in its capacity as Trustee with respect to such
series or the related Trust for any tax incurred without negligence, bad faith
or willful misconduct, on its part, arising out of or in connection with the
acceptance or administration of such Trust (other than any tax attributable to
the Trustee's compensation for serving as such), including any costs and
expenses incurred in contesting the imposition of any such tax. The Trustee
shall notify the Company of any claim for any tax for which it may seek
reimbursement. If the Trustee reimburses itself from the Trust Property of such
Trust for any such tax, it will mail a brief report within 30 days setting
forth the amount of such tax and the circumstances thereof to all
Certificateholders of such series as their names and addresses appear in the
Register.

         Section 7.08. Corporate Trustee Required; Eligibility. Each Trust
shall at all times have a Trustee which shall be a bank, trust company or other
financial institution organized and doing business under the laws of the United
States or any state thereof, shall be eligible to act as a trustee under
Section 310(a) of the Trust Indenture Act and shall have a combined capital and
surplus of at least $75,000,000 (or a combined capital and surplus in excess of
$5,000,000 and the obligations of which, whether now in existence or hereafter
incurred, are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by a corporation organized
and doing business under the laws of the United States or any state or
territory thereof or the District of Columbia and having a combined capital and
surplus of at least $75,000,000). If such bank, trust company or other
financial institution or such corporation publishes reports of conditions at
least annually, pursuant to law or to the requirements of federal, state,
territorial or District of Columbia supervising or examining authority, then
for the purposes of this Section 7.08 the combined capital and surplus of such
bank, trust company or other financial 



                                      40
<PAGE>   47


institution or such corporation shall be deemed to be its combined capital and
surplus as set forth in its most recent report of conditions so published.

         In case at any time the Trustee shall cease to be eligible in
accordance with the provisions of this Section 7.08 to act as Trustee of any
Trust, the Trustee shall resign immediately as Trustee of such Trust in the
manner and with the effect specified in Section 7.09. If the Trustee has or
shall acquire a conflicting interest within the meaning of the Trust Indenture
Act, the Trustee shall either eliminate such interest or resign, to the extent
and in the manner provided by, and subject to the provisions of, the Trust
Indenture Act and this Agreement.

         Section 7.09. Resignation and Removal; Appointment of Successor. (a)
No resignation or removal of the Trustee and no appointment of a successor
Trustee of any Trust pursuant to this Article VII shall become effective until
the acceptance of appointment by the successor Trustee under Section 7.10.

         (b) The Trustee may resign at any time as Trustee of any or all Trusts
by giving prior written notice thereof to the Company, the Authorized Agents,
any related Owner Trustees and the related Loan Trustees. If an instrument of
acceptance by a successor Trustee shall not have been delivered to the Company,
any related Owner Trustees and the Trustee within 30 days after the giving of
such notice of resignation, the resigning Trustee may petition any court of
competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee.

         (c) The Trustee may be removed at any time as Trustee of any Trust by
Direction of the Certificateholders of the related series holding Certificates
of such series evidencing Fractional Undivided Interests aggregating not less
than a majority in interest in such Trust delivered to the Trustee and to the
Company, any related Owner Trustees and the related Loan Trustees.

         (d) If at any time in respect of any Trust:

         (1)      the Trustee shall fail to comply with Section 310(b) of the
                  Trust Indenture Act, if applicable, after written request
                  therefor by the Company or by any Certificateholder who has
                  been a bona fide Certificateholder for at least six months;
                  or

         (2)      the Trustee shall cease to be eligible under Section 7.08 and
                  shall fail to resign after written request therefor by the
                  Company or by any such Certificateholder; or

         (3)      the Trustee shall become incapable of acting or shall be
                  adjudged a bankrupt or insolvent, or a receiver of the
                  Trustee or of its property shall be appointed or any public
                  officer shall take charge or control of the Trustee or of its
                  property or affairs for the purpose of rehabilitation,
                  conservation or liquidation;





                                      41
<PAGE>   48



then, in any such case, (i) the Company may remove the Trustee or (ii) any
Certificateholder of the related series who has been a bona fide
Certificateholder for at least six months may, on behalf of itself and all
others similarly situated, petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the
removal of the Trustee and the appointment of a successor Trustee of such
Trust.

         (e) If a Responsible Officer of the Trustee shall obtain actual
knowledge of an Avoidable Tax (as defined below) in respect of any Trust which
has been or is likely to be asserted, the Trustee shall promptly notify the
Company and shall, within 30 days of such notification, either relocate the
administration of the Trust to another jurisdiction as described in the
definition of "Avoidable Tax" or resign as Trustee of such Trust hereunder
unless within such 30-day period the Trustee shall have received notice that
the Company has agreed to pay such tax. Provided that there is a corporation in
a jurisdiction where there are no Avoidable Taxes that is willing to act as
Trustee and is eligible under Section 7.08, the Company shall promptly after
any such resignation by such Trustee appoint a successor Trustee of such Trust
in a jurisdiction where there are no Avoidable Taxes. As used herein, an
"Avoidable Tax" in respect of such Trust means a state or local tax: (i) upon
(w) such Trust, (x) the Trust Property of such Trust, (y) Certificateholders of
such Trust or (z) the Trustee for which the Trustee is entitled to seek
reimbursement from the Trust Property of such Trust, and (ii) which would be
avoided if the Trust were administered in a different jurisdiction in the
United States or if the Trustee were located in another state, or jurisdiction
within a state, within the United States. A tax shall not be an Avoidable Tax
in respect of any Trust if the Company or any Owner Trustee shall agree to pay,
and shall pay, such tax.

         (f) If the Trustee shall resign, be removed or become incapable of
acting as Trustee of any Trust or if a vacancy shall occur in the office of the
Trustee of any Trust for any cause, the Company shall promptly appoint a
successor Trustee of such Trust. If, within one year after such resignation,
removal or incapability, or other occurrence of such vacancy, a successor
Trustee of such Trust shall be appointed by Direction of the Certificateholders
of the related series holding Certificates of such series evidencing Fractional
Undivided Interests aggregating not less than a majority in interest in such
Trust delivered to the Company, any related Owner Trustees, the related Loan
Trustee and the retiring Trustee, then the successor Trustee of such Trust so
appointed shall, with the approval of the Company of such appointment, which
approval shall not be unreasonably withheld, forthwith upon its acceptance of
such appointment, become the successor Trustee of such Trust and supersede the
successor Trustee of such Trust appointed by the Company as provided above. If
no successor Trustee shall have been so appointed by the Company as provided
above and accepted appointment in the manner hereinafter provided, the
resigning Trustee or any Certificateholder who has been a bona fide
Certificateholder of the related series for at least six months may, on behalf
of himself and all others similarly situated, petition any court of competent
jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor Trustee of such Trust.

         (g) The successor Trustee of a Trust shall give notice of the
resignation and removal of the Trustee and appointment of the successor Trustee
by mailing written notice of such event by first-class mail, postage prepaid,
to the Certificateholders of the related series as their names and 




                                      42
<PAGE>   49



addresses appear in the Register. Each notice shall include the name of such
successor Trustee and the address of its Corporate Trust Office.

         Section 7.10. Acceptance of Appointment by Successor. Every successor
Trustee appointed hereunder shall execute and deliver to the Company and to the
retiring Trustee with respect to any or all Trusts an instrument accepting such
appointment, and thereupon the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee
with respect to such Trust or Trusts shall become effective and such successor
Trustee, without any further act, deed or conveyance, shall become vested with
all the rights, powers, trusts and duties of the retiring Trustee with respect
to such Trust or Trusts; but, on request of the Company or the successor
Trustee, such retiring Trustee shall execute and deliver an instrument
transferring to such successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts of
the retiring Trustee and shall duly assign, transfer and deliver to such
successor Trustee all Trust Property held by such retiring Trustee in respect
of such Trusts hereunder, subject nevertheless to its lien, if any, provided
for in Section 7.07 and all books and records, or true, correct and complete
copies thereof, held by such retiring Trustee in respect of such Trusts
hereunder. Upon request of any such successor Trustee, the Company, the
retiring Trustee and such successor Trustee shall execute and deliver any and
all instruments containing such provisions as shall be necessary or desirable
to transfer and confirm to, and for more fully and certainly vesting in, such
successor Trustee all such rights, powers and trusts.

         If a successor Trustee is appointed with respect to one or more (but
not all) Trusts, the Company, the predecessor Trustee and each successor
Trustee with respect to any Trust shall execute and deliver a supplemental
agreement hereto which shall contain such provisions as shall be deemed
necessary or desirable to confirm that all of the rights, powers, trusts and
duties of the predecessor Trustee with respect to the Trusts as to which the
predecessor Trustee is not retiring shall continue to be vested in the
predecessor Trustee, and shall add to or change any of the provisions of this
Basic Agreement and the applicable Trust Supplements as shall be necessary to
provide for or facilitate the administration of the Trusts hereunder by more
than one Trustee, it being understood that nothing herein or in such
supplemental agreement shall constitute such Trustees as co-Trustees of the
same Trust and that each such Trustee shall be Trustee of separate Trusts.

         No institution shall accept its appointment as a successor Trustee
hereunder unless at the time of such acceptance such institution shall be
qualified and eligible under this Article VII.

         Section 7.11. Merger, Conversion, Consolidation or Succession to
Business. Any corporation into which the Trustee may be merged or converted or
with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting from any
merger, conversion or consolidation to which the Trustee shall be a party, or
any corporation succeeding to all or substantially all of the corporate trust
business of the Trustee, shall be the successor of the Trustee hereunder,
provided that such corporation shall be otherwise qualified and eligible under
this Article VII, without the execution or filing of any paper or any further
act on the part of any of the parties hereto. In case any Certificates shall
have been executed or authenticated, but not delivered, by the Trustee then in



                                      43
<PAGE>   50



office, any successor by merger, conversion or consolidation to such
authenticating Trustee may adopt such execution or authentication and deliver
the Certificates so executed or authenticated with the same effect as if such
successor Trustee had itself executed or authenticated such Certificates.

         Section 7.12. Maintenance of Agencies. (a) With respect to each series
of Certificates, there shall at all times be maintained an office or agency in
the location set forth in Section 12.04 where Certificates of such series may
be presented or surrendered for registration of transfer or for exchange, and
for payment thereof, and where notices and demands to or upon the Trustee in
respect of such Certificates or this Agreement may be served; provided that, if
it shall be necessary that the Trustee maintain an office or agency in another
location with respect to the Certificates of any series (e.g., the Certificates
of such series shall be represented by Definitive Certificates and shall be
listed on a national securities exchange), the Trustee will make all reasonable
efforts to establish such an office or agency. Written notice of the location
of each such other office or agency and of any change of location thereof shall
be given by the Trustee to the Company, any Owner Trustees, the Loan Trustees
(in the case of any Owner Trustee or Loan Trustee, at its address specified in
the Note Documents or such other address as may be notified to the Trustee) and
the Certificateholders of such series. In the event that no such office or
agency shall be maintained or no such notice of location or of change of
location shall be given, presentations and demands may be made and notices may
be served at the Corporate Trust Office of the Trustee.

         (b) There shall at all times be a Registrar and a Paying Agent
hereunder with respect to the Certificates of each series. Each such Authorized
Agent shall be a bank, trust company or other financial institution organized
and doing business under the laws of the United States or any state thereof,
with a combined capital and surplus of at least $75,000,000 (or combined
capital and surplus in excess of $5,000,000, the obligations of which are fully
and unconditionally guaranteed by a corporation organized and doing business
under the laws of the United States or any state or territory thereof or the
District of Columbia, with a combined capital and surplus of at least
$75,000,000), and shall be authorized under such laws to exercise corporate
trust powers, subject to supervision by federal or state authorities. The
Trustee shall initially be the Paying Agent and, as provided in Section 3.04,
Registrar hereunder with respect to the Certificates of each series. Each
Registrar shall furnish to the Trustee, at stated intervals of not more than
six months, and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing, a
copy of the Register maintained by such Registrar.

         (c) Any corporation into which any Authorized Agent may be merged or
converted or with which it may be consolidated, or any corporation resulting
from any merger, consolidation or conversion to which any Authorized Agent
shall be a party, or any corporation succeeding to the corporate trust business
of any Authorized Agent, shall be the successor of such Authorized Agent, if
such successor corporation is otherwise eligible under this Section 7.12,
without the execution or filing of any paper or any further act on the part of
the parties hereto or such Authorized Agent or such successor corporation.




                                      44
<PAGE>   51


         (d) Any Authorized Agent may at any time resign by giving written
notice of resignation to the Trustee, the Company, any related Owner Trustees
and the related Loan Trustees. The Company may, and at the request of the
Trustee shall, at any time terminate the agency of any Authorized Agent by
giving written notice of termination to such Authorized Agent and to the
Trustee. Upon the resignation or termination of an Authorized Agent or in case
at any time any such Authorized Agent shall cease to be eligible under this
Section 7.12 (when, in either case, no other Authorized Agent performing the
functions of such Authorized Agent shall have been appointed), the Company
shall promptly appoint one or more qualified successor Authorized Agents,
reasonably satisfactory to the Trustee, to perform the functions of the
Authorized Agent which has resigned or whose agency has been terminated or who
shall have ceased to be eligible under this Section 7.12. The Company shall
give written notice of any such appointment made by it to the Trustee, any
related Owner Trustees and the related Loan Trustees; and in each case the
Trustee shall mail notice of such appointment to all Certificateholders of the
related series as their names and addresses appear on the Register for such
series.

         (e) The Company agrees to pay, or cause to be paid, from time to time
to each Authorized Agent such compensation for its services as the Company and
the Trustee may agree in writing from time to time and to reimburse it for its
reasonable expenses to the extent set forth in Section 7.07(2).

         Section 7.13. Money for Certificate Payments to Be Held in Trust. All
moneys deposited with any Paying Agent for the purpose of any payment on
Certificates shall be deposited and held in trust for the benefit of the
Certificateholders entitled to such payment, subject to the provisions of this
Section 7.13. Moneys so deposited and held in trust shall constitute a separate
trust fund for the benefit of the Certificateholders with respect to which such
money was deposited.

         The Trustee may at any time, for the purpose of obtaining the
satisfaction and discharge of this Agreement or for any other purpose, direct
any Paying Agent to pay to the Trustee all sums held in trust by such Paying
Agent, such sums to be held by the Trustee upon the same trusts as those upon
which such sums were held by such Paying Agent; and, upon such payment by any
Paying Agent to the Trustee, such Paying Agent shall be released from all
further liability with respect to such money.

         Section 7.14. Registration of Equipment Notes in Trustee's Name.
Subject to the provisions of any Intercreditor Agreement and Section 12.03
hereof, the Trustee agrees that all Equipment Notes to be purchased by any
Trust, Specified Investments, if any, to be held by the Trustee on behalf of a
Trust and Permitted Investments, if any, to be held by the Trustee on behalf of
a Trust shall be issued in the name of the Trustee as trustee for the
applicable Trust or its nominee and held by the Trustee in trust for the
benefit of the Certificateholders of such series, or, if not so held, the
Trustee or its nominee shall be reflected as the owner of such Equipment Notes,
Specified Investments or Permitted Investments, as the case may be, in the
register of the issuer of such Equipment Notes, Specified Investments or
Permitted Investments, as the case may be. In no event shall the Trustee invest
in, or hold, Equipment Notes, Specified Investments or Permitted 



                                      45
<PAGE>   52



Investments in a manner that would cause the Trustee not to have the ownership
interest in (or a securities entitlement with respect to) such Equipment Notes,
Specified Investments or Permitted Investments under the applicable provisions
of the Uniform Commercial Code in effect where the Trustee holds such Equipment
Notes, Specified Investments or Permitted Investments or other applicable law
then in effect.

         Section 7.15. Representations and Warranties of Trustee. The Trustee
hereby represents and warrants that:

         (a) the Trustee is a national banking association duly organized and
validly existing in good standing under the laws of the United States;

         (b) the Trustee has full power, authority and legal right to execute,
deliver and perform this Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement, the
Certificates and the Note Purchase Agreements and has taken all necessary
action to authorize the execution, delivery and performance by it of this
Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement, the Certificates and the Note Purchase
Agreements;

         (c) the execution, delivery and performance by the Trustee of this
Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement, the Certificates and the Note Purchase
Agreements (i) will not violate any provision of any United States federal law
or the law of the state of the United States where such Trustee is located and
which governs the banking and trust powers of the Trustee or any order, writ,
judgment, or decree of any court, arbitrator or governmental authority
applicable to the Trustee or any of its assets, (ii) will not violate any
provision of the articles of association or by-laws of the Trustee, and (iii)
will not violate any provision of, or constitute, with or without notice or
lapse of time or both, a default under, or result in the creation or imposition
of any lien on any properties included in the Trust Property pursuant to the
provisions of any mortgage, indenture, contract, agreement or other undertaking
to which it is a party;

         (d) the execution, delivery and performance by the Trustee of this
Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement, the Certificates and the Note Purchase
Agreements will not require the authorization, consent, or approval of, the
giving of notice to, the filing or registration with, or the taking of any
other action in respect of, any governmental authority or agency of the United
States or the state of the United States where such Trustee is located and
regulating the banking and corporate trust activities of the Trustee;

         (e) this Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement, the Certificates and
the Note Purchase Agreements have been or will be duly executed and delivered
by the Trustee and constitute or upon such execution and delivery will
constitute the legal, valid and binding agreements of the Trustee, enforceable
against it in accordance with their respective terms; provided, however, that
enforceability may be limited by (i) applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization, moratorium or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors
generally, and (ii) general principles of equity; and




                                      46
<PAGE>   53




         (f) the statements made by it in a Statement of Eligibility on Form
T-1 supplied or to be supplied to the Company in connection with the
registration of any Certificates are and will be true and accurate subject to
the qualifications set forth therein; and that such statement complies and will
comply in all material respects with the requirements of the Trust Indenture
Act and the Securities Act.

         The representation and warranties set forth above shall be deemed to
be made by the Trustee on each Issuance Date, except as otherwise provided in
the applicable Trust Supplement.

         Section 7.16. Withholding Taxes; Information Reporting. As to the
Certificates of any series, the Trustee, as trustee of the related grantor
trust created by this Agreement, shall exclude and withhold from each
distribution of principal, premium, if any, and interest and other amounts due
under this Agreement or under the Certificates of such series any and all
withholding taxes applicable thereto as required by law. The Trustee agrees to
act as such withholding agent and, in connection therewith, whenever any
present or future taxes or similar charges are required to be withheld with
respect to any amounts payable in respect of the Certificates of such series,
to withhold such amounts and timely pay the same to the appropriate authority
in the name of and on behalf of the Certificateholders of such series, that it
will file any necessary withholding tax returns or statements when due, and
that, as promptly as possible after the payment thereof, it will deliver to
each such Certificateholder of such series appropriate documentation showing
the payment thereof, together with such additional documentary evidence as such
Certificateholders may reasonably request from time to time. The Trustee agrees
to file any other information reports as it may be required to file under
United States law.

         Section 7.17. Trustee's Liens. The Trustee in its individual capacity
agrees that it will, in respect of each Trust created by this Agreement, at its
own cost and expense (and without right of indemnity hereunder, including
Section 7.07), promptly take any action as may be necessary to duly discharge
and satisfy in full any mortgage, pledge, lien, charge, encumbrance, security
interest or claim ("Trustee's Liens") on or with respect to the Trust Property
of such Trust which is attributable to the Trustee either (i) in its individual
capacity and which is unrelated to the transactions contemplated by this
Agreement or the related Note Documents or (ii) as Trustee hereunder or in its
individual capacity and which arises out of acts or omissions which are not
contemplated by this Agreement.

         Section 7.18. Preferential Collection of Claims. The Trustee shall
comply with Section 311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act, excluding any creditor
relationship listed in Section 311(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. If the
Trustee shall resign or be removed as Trustee, it shall be subject to Section
311(a) of the Trust Indenture Act to the extent provided therein.

         Section 7.19. Capacity in Which Acting. The Trustee acts hereunder and
under any Trust not in its individual capacity but solely as trustee except as
expressly provided herein or in the related Trust Supplement.



                                      47
<PAGE>   54





                                  ARTICLE VIII

                CERTIFICATEHOLDERS' LISTS AND REPORTS BY TRUSTEE

         Section 8.01. The Company to Furnish Trustee with Names and Addresses
of Certificateholders. With respect to the Certificates of each series, the
Company will furnish (or cause to be furnished) to the Trustee within 15 days
after each Record Date with respect to a Scheduled Payment (and, in any case,
at intervals of not more than six months), and at such other times as the
Trustee may request in writing within 30 days after receipt by the Company of
any such request, a list, in such form as the Trustee may reasonably require,
of all information in the possession or control of the Company as to the names
and addresses of the Certificateholders of such series, in each case as of a
date not more than 15 days prior to the time such list is furnished; provided,
however, that so long as the Trustee is the sole Registrar for such series, no
such list need be furnished; and provided further, that no such list need be
furnished for so long as a copy of the Register is being furnished to the
Trustee pursuant to Section 7.12.

         Section 8.02. Preservation of Information; Communications to
Certificateholders. The Trustee shall preserve, in as current a form as is
reasonably practicable, the names and addresses of Certificateholders of each
series contained in the most recent list furnished to the Trustee as provided
in Section 7.12 or Section 8.01, as the case may be, and the names and
addresses of Certificateholders of each series received by the Trustee in its
capacity as Registrar, if so acting. The Trustee may destroy any list furnished
to it as provided in Section 7.12 or Section 8.01, as the case may be, upon
receipt of a new list so furnished.

         Section 8.03. Reports by Trustee. Within 60 days after May 15 of each
year commencing with the first full year following the issuance of any series
of Certificates, the Trustee shall transmit to the Certificateholders of such
series, as provided in Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, a brief
report dated as of such May 15, if required by and in compliance with Section
313(a) of the Trust Indenture Act. The Trustee shall also transmit to
Certificateholders such reports, if any, as may be required pursuant to Section
313(b) of the Trust Indenture Act at the times and in the manner provided
pursuant thereto and to Section 313(c) thereof.

         Section 8.04.     Reports by the Company.   The Company shall:

         (a) file with the Trustee, within 30 days after the Company is
required to file the same with the SEC, copies of the annual reports and of the
information, documents and other reports (or copies of such portions of any of
the foregoing as the SEC may from time to time by rules and regulations
prescribe) which the Company is required to file with the SEC pursuant to
section 13 or section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended;
or, if the Company is not required to file information, documents or reports
pursuant to either of such sections, then to file with the Trustee and the SEC,
in accordance with rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC, such of the




                                      48
<PAGE>   55



supplementary and periodic information, documents and reports which may be
required pursuant to section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, in respect of a security listed and registered on a national
securities exchange as may be prescribed in such rules and regulations;

         (b) file with the Trustee and the SEC, in accordance with the rules
and regulations prescribed by the SEC, such additional information, documents
and reports with respect to compliance by the Company with the conditions and
covenants of the Company provided for in this Agreement, as may be required by
such rules and regulations;

         (c) transmit to all Certificateholders, in the manner and to the
extent provided in Section 313(c) of the Trust Indenture Act, such summaries of
any information, documents and reports required to be filed by the Company
pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this Section 8.04 as may be required by
rules and regulations prescribed by the SEC; and

         (d) furnish to the Trustee, not less often than annually, a brief
certificate from the principal executive officer, principal financial officer
or principal accounting officer as to his or her knowledge of the Company's
compliance with all conditions and covenants of the Company under this
Agreement (it being understood that for purposes of this paragraph (d), such
compliance shall be determined without regard to any grace period or
requirement of notice provided under this Agreement).


                                   ARTICLE IX

                            SUPPLEMENTAL AGREEMENTS

         Section 9.01. Supplemental Agreements Without Consent of
Certificateholders. Without the consent of any Certificateholders, the Company
may (but will not be required to), and the Trustee (subject to Section 9.03)
shall, at the Company's request, at any time and from time to time, enter into
one or more agreements supplemental hereto or, if applicable, to an
Intercreditor Agreement, a Note Purchase Agreement or a Liquidity Facility, for
any of the following purposes:

         (1)      to provide for the formation of a Trust, the issuance of a
                  series of Certificates and other matters contemplated by
                  Section 2.01(b); or

         (2)      to evidence the succession of another corporation to the
                  Company and the assumption by any such successor of the
                  covenants of the Company herein contained or of the Company's
                  obligations under any Intercreditor Agreement, any Note
                  Purchase Agreement or any Liquidity Facility; or

         (3)      to add to the covenants of the Company for the benefit of the
                  Certificateholders of any series, or to surrender any right
                  or power conferred upon the Company in this 




                                      49
<PAGE>   56



                  Agreement, any Note Purchase Agreement, any Intercreditor
                  Agreement or any Liquidity Facility; or

         (4)      to cure any ambiguity or to correct any mistake or 
                  inconsistency contained herein or in any related Trust 
                  Supplement, any Intercreditor Agreement or any Liquidity 
                  Facility; or

         (5)      to make or modify any other provision in regard to matters or
                  questions arising under this Basic Agreement or any related
                  Trust Supplement, any Intercreditor Agreement or any
                  Liquidity Facility as the Company may deem necessary or
                  desirable and that will not materially adversely affect the
                  interests of the related Certificateholders; or

         (6)      to add to or change any of the provisions of this Agreement
                  or any Trust Supplement to such extent as shall be necessary 
                  to facilitate the issuance of Certificates in bearer form or
                  to facilitate or provide for the issuance of Certificates in
                  global form in addition to or in place of Certificates in
                  certificated form; or

         (7)      to comply with any requirement of the SEC, any applicable
                  law, rules or regulations of any exchange or quotation system
                  on which the Certificates of any series are listed or of any
                  regulatory body; or

         (8)      to modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of this
                  Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement or any Liquidity
                  Facility to such extent as shall be necessary to continue the
                  qualification of this Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement
                  or any Liquidity Facility (including any supplemental
                  agreement) under the Trust Indenture Act or under any similar
                  Federal statute hereafter enacted, and to add to this
                  Agreement, any Intercreditor Agreement or any Liquidity
                  Facility such other provisions as may be expressly permitted
                  by the Trust Indenture Act, excluding, however, the
                  provisions referred to in Section 316(a)(2) of the Trust
                  Indenture Act as in effect at the date as of which this Basic
                  Agreement was executed or any corresponding provision in any
                  similar Federal statute hereafter enacted; or

         (9)      to evidence and provide for the acceptance of appointment by
                  a successor Trustee under this Agreement, any Intercreditor
                  Agreement, any Note Purchase Agreement, any Indenture or any
                  Liquidity Facility with respect to one or more Trusts and to
                  add to or change any of the provisions of this Agreement, any
                  Intercreditor Agreement or any Liquidity Facility as shall be
                  necessary to provide for or facilitate the administration of
                  the Trust hereunder and thereunder by more than one Trustee,
                  pursuant to the requirements of Section 7.10; or

         (10)     to provide the information required under Section 7.12 and
                  Section 12.04 as to the Trustee; or




                                      50
<PAGE>   57



         (11)     to provide for the delivery of agreements supplemental hereto
                  or the Certificates of any series in or by any means of any
                  computerized, electronic or other medium, including without
                  limitation by computer diskette; or

         (12)     to correct or supplement the description of any property
                  constituting property of such Trust; or

         (13)     to modify, eliminate or add to the provisions of this Basic
                  Agreement or any Trust Supplement in order to reflect the
                  substitution of a Substitute Aircraft for any aircraft; or

         (14)     to make any other amendments or modifications hereto,
                  provided that such amendments or modifications shall only
                  apply to Certificates of one or more series to be thereafter
                  issued;

provided, however, that no such supplemental agreement shall cause any Trust to
become an association taxable as a corporation for United States federal income
tax purposes.

         Section 9.02. Supplemental Agreements with Consent of
Certificateholders. With respect to each separate Trust and the series of
Certificates relating thereto, with the consent of the Certificateholders
holding Certificates of such series (including consents obtained in connection
with a consent solicitation, tender offer or exchange offer for the
Certificates) evidencing Fractional Undivided Interests aggregating not less
than a majority in interest in such Trust, by Direction of said
Certificateholders delivered to the Company and the Trustee, the Company may
(with the consent of the Owner Trustees, if any, relating to such Certificates,
which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld), but shall not be obligated
to, and the Trustee (subject to Section 9.03) shall, enter into an agreement or
agreements supplemental hereto for the purpose of adding any provisions to or
changing in any manner or eliminating any of the provisions of this Agreement,
any Intercreditor Agreement or any Liquidity Facility to the extent applicable
to such Certificateholders or of modifying in any manner the rights and
obligations of such Certificateholders under this Agreement, any Intercreditor
Agreement or any Liquidity Facility; provided, however, that no such agreement
shall, without the consent of the Certificateholder of each Outstanding
Certificate adversely affected thereby:

         (1)      reduce in any manner the amount of, or delay the timing of,
                  any receipt by the Trustee of payments on the Equipment Notes
                  held in such Trust or distributions that are required to be
                  made herein on any Certificate of such series, or change any
                  date of payment on any Certificate of such series, or change
                  the place of payment where, or the coin or currency in which,
                  any Certificate of such series is payable (other than as
                  provided for in such certificate), or impair the right to
                  institute suit for the enforcement of any such payment or
                  distribution on or after the Regular Distribution Date or
                  Special Distribution Date applicable thereto; or





                                      51
<PAGE>   58



         (2)      except as permitted by this Agreement or the applicable
                  Intercreditor Agreement or Liquidity Facility, permit the
                  disposition of any Equipment Note included in the Trust
                  Property of such Trust or otherwise deprive such
                  Certificateholder of the benefit of the ownership of the
                  Equipment Notes in such Trust; or

         (3)      alter the priority of distributions specified in the relevant
                  Intercreditor Agreement, if any, in a manner materially
                  adverse to the interests of the Certificateholders of any
                  series; or

         (4)      modify any of the provisions of this Section 9.02 or Section
                  6.05 with respect to such series of Certificates, except to
                  increase the specified percentage of the aggregate Fractional
                  Undivided Interests of such Trust that is required for any
                  supplemental agreement or waiver of default as set forth
                  therein, or to provide that certain other provisions of this
                  Agreement cannot be modified or waived without the consent of
                  the Certificateholder of each Certificate of such series
                  affected thereby; or

         (5)      cause any Trust to become an association taxable as a
                  corporation for United States federal income tax purposes.

         It shall not be necessary for any Direction of such Certificateholders
under this Section 9.02 to approve the particular form of any proposed
supplemental agreement, but it shall be sufficient if such Direction shall
approve the substance thereof.

         Section 9.03. Documents Affecting Immunity or Indemnity. If in the
opinion of the Trustee any document required to be executed by it pursuant to
the terms of Section 9.01 or 9.02 affects any interest, right, duty, immunity
or indemnity in favor of the Trustee under this Basic Agreement or any Trust
Supplement, the Trustee may in its discretion decline to execute such document.

         Section 9.04. Execution of Supplemental Agreements. In executing, or
accepting the additional trusts created by, any supplemental agreement
permitted by this Article IX or the modifications thereby of the trusts created
by this Agreement, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive, and shall be fully
protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel stating that the execution of
such supplemental agreement is authorized or permitted by this Agreement.

         Section 9.05. Effect of Supplemental Agreements. Upon the execution of
any agreement supplemental to this Agreement under this Article IX, this
Agreement shall be modified in accordance therewith, and such supplemental
agreement shall form a part of this Agreement for all purposes, and every
Certificateholder of each series theretofore or thereafter authenticated and
delivered hereunder shall be bound thereby to the extent applicable to such
series.


                                      52
<PAGE>   59





         Section 9.06. Conformity with Trust Indenture Act. Every supplemental
agreement executed pursuant to this Article IX shall conform to the
requirements of the Trust Indenture Act as then in effect.

         Section 9.07. Reference in Certificates to Supplemental Agreements.
Certificates of each series authenticated and delivered after the execution of
any supplemental agreement applicable to such series pursuant to this Article
IX may bear a notation in form approved by the Trustee as to any matter
provided for in such supplemental agreement; and, in such case, suitable
notation may be made upon Outstanding Certificates of such series after proper
presentation and demand.


                                   ARTICLE X

               AMENDMENTS TO INDENTURES AND OTHER NOTE DOCUMENTS

         Section 10.01. Amendments and Supplements to Indentures and Other Note
Documents. In the event that the Trustee, as holder (or beneficial owner
through the Subordination Agent) of any Equipment Notes (or as a prospective
purchaser of any Postponed Notes) in trust for the benefit of the
Certificateholders of any series or as Controlling Party under an Intercreditor
Agreement, receives (directly or indirectly through the Subordination Agent) a
request for a consent to any amendment, modification, waiver or supplement
under any Indenture or other Note Document, subject to Section 9.01 hereof, the
Trustee shall forthwith send a notice of such proposed amendment, modification,
waiver or supplement to each Certificateholder of such series registered on the
Register as of the date of such notice. The Trustee shall request from the
Certificateholders of such series a Direction as to (a) whether or not to take
or refrain from taking (or direct the Subordination Agent to take or refrain
from taking) any action which a holder of (or, with respect to Postponed Notes,
a prospective purchaser of) such Equipment Note has the option to direct, (b)
whether or not to give or execute (or direct the Subordination Agent to give or
execute) any waivers, consents, amendments, modifications or supplements as a
holder of (or, with respect to Postponed Notes, a prospective purchaser of)
such Equipment Note or a Controlling Party and (c) how to vote (or direct the
Subordination Agent to vote) any Equipment Note (or, with respect to a
Postponed Note, its commitment to acquire such Postponed Note) if a vote has
been called for with respect thereto. Provided such a request for
Certificateholder Direction shall have been made, in directing any action or
casting any vote or giving any consent as the holder of any Equipment Note (or
in directing the Subordination Agent in any of the foregoing), (i) other than
as Controlling Party, the Trustee shall vote for or give consent to any such
action with respect to such Equipment Note (or Postponed Note) in the same
proportion as that of (A) the aggregate face amounts of all Certificates
actually voted in favor of or for giving consent to such action by such
Direction of Certificateholders to (B) the aggregate face amount of all
Outstanding Certificates and (ii) as Controlling Party, the Trustee shall vote
as directed in such Certificateholder Direction by the Certificateholders of
such series evidencing a Fractional Undivided Interest aggregating not less
than a majority in interest in the Trust. For purposes of the immediately
preceding sentence, a Certificate shall have been 





                                      53
<PAGE>   60



"actually voted" if the Holder of such Certificate has delivered to the Trustee
an instrument evidencing such Holder's consent to such Direction prior to one
Business Day before the Trustee directs such action or casts such vote or gives
such consent. Notwithstanding the foregoing, but subject to Section 6.04 and
any Intercreditor Agreement, the Trustee may, with respect to the Certificates
of any series, in its own discretion and at its own direction, consent and
notify the relevant Loan Trustee of such consent (or direct the Subordination
Agent to consent and notify the Loan Trustee of such consent) to any amendment,
modification, waiver or supplement under any related Indenture or any other
related Note Document if an Event of Default hereunder shall have occurred and
be continuing or if such amendment, modification, waiver or supplement will not
materially adversely affect the interests of the Certificateholders of such
series.


                                   ARTICLE XI

                             TERMINATION OF TRUSTS

         Section 11.01. Termination of the Trusts.In respect of each Trust
created by the Basic Agreement as supplemented by a related Trust Supplement,
the respective obligations and responsibilities of the Company and the Trustee
with respect to such Trust shall terminate upon the distribution to all Holders
of Certificates of the series of such Trust and the Trustee of all amounts
required to be distributed to them pursuant to this Agreement and the
disposition of all property held as part of the Trust Property of such Trust;
provided, however, that in no event shall such Trust continue beyond the final
expiration date determined as provided in such Trust Supplement.

         Notice of any termination of a Trust, specifying the applicable
Regular Distribution Date (or applicable Special Distribution Date, as the case
may be) upon which the Certificateholders of any series may surrender their
Certificates to the Trustee for payment of the final distribution and
cancellation, shall be mailed promptly by the Trustee to Certificateholders of
such series not earlier than 60 days and not later than 15 days preceding such
final distribution specifying (i) the Regular Distribution Date (or Special
Distribution Date, as the case may be) upon which the proposed final payment of
the Certificates of such series will be made upon presentation and surrender of
Certificates of such series at the office or agency of the Trustee therein
specified, (ii) the amount of any such proposed final payment, and (iii) that
the Record Date otherwise applicable to such Regular Distribution Date (or
Special Distribution Date, as the case may be) is not applicable, payments
being made only upon presentation and surrender of the Certificates of such
series at the office or agency of the Trustee therein specified. The Trustee
shall give such notice to the Registrar at the time such notice is given to
Certificateholders of such series. Upon presentation and surrender of the
Certificates of such series in accordance with such notice, the Trustee shall
cause to be distributed to Certificateholders of such series amounts
distributable on such Regular Distribution Date (or Special Distribution Date,
as the case may be) pursuant to Section 4.02.




                                      54
<PAGE>   61



         In the event that all of the Certificateholders of such series shall
not surrender their Certificates for cancellation within six months after the
date specified in the above-mentioned written notice, the Trustee shall give a
second written notice to the remaining Certificateholders of such series to
surrender their Certificates for cancellation and receive the final
distribution with respect thereto. No additional interest shall accrue on the
Certificates of such series after any Regular Distribution Date (or Special
Distribution Date, as the case may be) of such series, as specified in the
first written notice. In the event that any money held by the Trustee for the
payment of distributions on the Certificates of such series shall remain
unclaimed for two years (or such lesser or greater time as the Trustee shall be
satisfied, after 60 days' notice from the Company, is one month prior to the
escheat period provided under applicable law) after the final distribution date
with respect thereto, the Trustee shall pay to each Loan Trustee the
appropriate amount of money relating to such Loan Trustee and shall give
written notice thereof to any related Owner Trustees and the Company.


                                  ARTICLE XII

                            MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS

         Section 12.01. Limitation on Rights of Certificateholders. (a) The
insolvency, death or incapacity of any Certificateholder of any series shall
not operate to terminate this Agreement or the related Trust, nor entitle such
Certificateholder's legal representatives or heirs to claim an accounting or to
take any action or commence any proceeding in any court for a partition or
winding up of the Trust, nor otherwise affect the rights, obligations and
liabilities of the parties hereto or any of them. No Certificateholder of any
series shall be entitled to revoke the related Trust.

         (b) No transfer, by operation of law or otherwise, of any Certificate
or other right, title and interest of any Certificateholder in and to the
applicable Trust Property or under the related Trust shall operate to terminate
the Trust or entitle such Certificateholder or any successor or transferee of
such Certificateholder to an accounting or to the transfer to it of legal title
to any part of such Trust Property.

         Section 12.02. Certificates Nonassessable and Fully Paid.
Certificateholders of each series shall not be personally liable for
obligations of the related Trust, the Fractional Undivided Interests
represented by the Certificates of such series shall be nonassessable for any
losses or expenses of such Trust or for any reason whatsoever, and Certificates
of such series upon authentication thereof by the Trustee pursuant to Section
3.02 are and shall be deemed fully paid. No Certificateholder of such series
shall have any right (except as expressly provided herein) to vote or in any
manner otherwise control the operation and management of the related Trust
Property, the related Trust, or the obligations of the parties hereto, nor
shall anything set forth herein, or contained in the terms of the Certificates
of such series, be construed so as to constitute the Certificateholders of such
series from time to time as partners or members of an association.




                                      55
<PAGE>   62



         Section 12.03. Registration of Equipment Notes in Name of
Subordination Agent. If a Trust is party to an Intercreditor Agreement, the
Trustee agrees that all Equipment Notes to be purchased by such Trust may be
issued in the name of the Subordination Agent under such Intercreditor
Agreement or its nominee and held by such Subordination Agent in trust for the
benefit of the Certificateholders, or, if not so held, such Subordination Agent
or its nominee shall be reflected as the owner of such Equipment Notes in the
register of the issuer of such Equipment Notes.

         Section 12.04. Notices. (a) Unless otherwise expressly specified or
permitted by the terms hereof or in the applicable Trust Supplement with
respect to any Trust created thereby, all notices required or permitted under
the terms and provisions of this Basic Agreement or such Trust Supplement shall
be in English and in writing, and any such notice may be given by U.S. mail,
courier service, telegram, cable or facsimile (confirmed by telephone or in
writing in the case of notice by telegram, cable or facsimile) or any other
customary means of communication, and any such notice shall be effective when
delivered (or, if mailed, three Business Days after deposit, postage prepaid,
in the first class U.S. mail),

if to the Company, to:

         American Airlines, Inc.
         4333 Amon Carter Blvd.
         Maildrop 5662
         Fort Worth, Texas 76155
         Attention: Treasurer

         Telephone:  (817) 967-4318
         Facsimile:  (817) 963-1234

if to the Trustee, to:

         c/o State Street Bank and Trust Company
         225 Franklin Street
         Boston, Massachusetts 02110
         Attention:  Corporate Trust Division

         Telephone:  (617) 664-5667
         Facsimile:  (617) 664-5376


         (b) The Company or the Trustee, by notice to the other, may designate
additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.




                                      56
<PAGE>   63



         (c) Any notice or communication to Certificateholders of any series
shall be mailed by first-class mail to the addresses for Certificateholders of
such series shown on the Register kept by the Registrar and to addresses filed
with the Trustee for Certificate Owners of such series. Failure so to mail a
notice or communication or any defect in such notice or communication shall not
affect its sufficiency with respect to other Certificateholders or Certificate
Owners of such series.

         (d) If a notice or communication is mailed in the manner provided
above within the time prescribed, it is conclusively presumed to have been duly
given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

         (e) If the Company mails a notice or communication to the
Certificateholders of such series, it shall mail a copy to the Trustee and to
each Paying Agent for such series at the same time.

         (f) The Trustee shall promptly furnish the Company with a copy of any
demand, notice or written communication received by the Trustee hereunder from
any Certificateholder, Certificate Owner, Owner Trustee, Loan Trustee,
Liquidity Provider or Subordination Agent.

         Section 12.05. Governing Law. THIS BASIC AGREEMENT HAS BEEN DELIVERED
IN THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND THIS BASIC AGREEMENT, TOGETHER WITH ALL TRUST
SUPPLEMENTS AND CERTIFICATES, SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF
THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND THE OBLIGATIONS, RIGHTS AND REMEDIES OF THE PARTIES
HEREUNDER AND THEREUNDER SHALL BE DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH LAWS.

         Section 12.06. Severability of Provisions. If any one or more of the
covenants, agreements, provisions or terms of this Agreement shall be for any
reason whatsoever held invalid, then such covenants, agreements, provisions, or
terms shall be deemed severable from the remaining covenants, agreements,
provisions or terms of this Agreement and shall in no way affect the validity
or enforceability of the other provisions of this Agreement or the related
Trust, or of the Certificates of such series or the rights of the
Certificateholders thereof.

         Section 12.07. Trust Indenture Act Controls. This Agreement is subject
to the provisions of the Trust Indenture Act and if any provision of this
Agreement limits, qualifies or conflicts with another provision which is
required to be included in this Agreement by the Trust Indenture Act, the
required provision shall control. If any provision of this Agreement modifies
or excludes any provision of the Trust Indenture Act that may be so modified or
excluded, the latter provision shall be deemed to apply to this Agreement as so
modified, or to be excluded, as the case may be, whether or not such provision
of this Agreement refers expressly to such provision of the Trust Indenture
Act.




                                      57
<PAGE>   64



         Section 12.08. Effect of Headings and Table of Contents. The Article
and Section headings herein and the Table of Contents are for convenience only
and shall not affect the construction hereof.

         Section 12.09. Successors and Assigns. All covenants, agreements,
representations and warranties in this Agreement by the Trustee and the Company
shall bind and, to the extent permitted hereby, shall inure to the benefit of
and be enforceable by their respective successors and assigns, whether so
expressed or not. Any request, notice, direction, consent, waiver or other
instrument or action by any Certificateholder shall bind the successors and
assigns of such Certificateholder.

         Section 12.10. Benefits of Agreement. Nothing in this Agreement or in
the Certificates of any series, express or implied, shall give to any Person,
other than the parties hereto and their successors hereunder, and the
Certificateholders of each series, any benefit or any legal or equitable right,
remedy or claim under this Agreement, except as provided expressly herein.

         Section 12.11. Legal Holidays. In any case where any Regular
Distribution Date or Special Distribution Date relating to any Certificate of
any series shall not be a Business Day with respect to such series, then
(notwithstanding any other provision of this Agreement) payment need not be
made on such date, but may be made on the next succeeding Business Day with the
same force and effect as if made on such Regular Distribution Date or Special
Distribution Date, and no interest shall accrue during the intervening period.

         Section 12.12. Counterparts. For the purpose of facilitating the
execution of this Agreement and for other purposes, this Agreement may be
executed simultaneously in any number of counterparts, each of which
counterparts shall be deemed to be an original, and all of which counterparts
shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

         Section 12.13. Communication by Certificateholders with Other
Certificateholders. Certificateholders of any series may communicate with other
Certificateholders of such series with respect to their rights under this Basic
Agreement, the related Trust Supplement or the Certificates of such series
pursuant to Section 312(b) of the Trust Indenture Act. The Company, the Trustee
and any and all other persons benefitted by this Agreement shall have the
protection afforded by Section 312(c) of the Trust Indenture Act.

         Section 12.14. Normal Commercial Relations. Anything contained in this
Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, the Trustee and any
Certificateholder, or any bank or other affiliate of any such party, may
conduct any banking or other financial transactions, and have banking or other
commercial relationships, with the Company fully to the same extent as if this
Agreement were not in effect, including without limitation the making of loans
or other extensions of credit to the Company for any purpose whatsoever,
whether related to any of the transactions contemplated hereby or otherwise.




                                      58
<PAGE>   65




         Section 12.15. No Recourse Against Others. No past, present or future
director, officer, employee, agent, member, manager, trustee or stockholder, as
such, of the Company or any successor Person shall have any liability for any
obligations of the Company or any successor Person, either directly or through
the Company or any successor Person, under the Certificates or this Agreement
or for any claim based on, in respect of or by reason of such obligations or
their creation, whether by virtue of any rule of law, statute or constitutional
provision or by the enforcement of any assessment or by any legal or equitable
proceeding or otherwise. By accepting a Certificate, each Certificateholder
agrees to the provisions of this Section 12.15 and waives and releases all such
liability. Such waiver and release shall be part of the consideration for the
issue of the Certificates.




                                      59
<PAGE>   66




         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have caused this Pass Through Trust
Agreement to be duly executed by their respective officers thereunto duly
authorized as of the day and year first written above.

                                 AMERICAN AIRLINES, INC.


                                 By:
                                    --------------------------------------
                                                 Name:
                                                 Title:


                                 STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY
                                 OF CONNECTICUT, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
                                 as Trustee


                                 By:
                                    --------------------------------------
                                                 Name:
                                                 Title:












                                      60
<PAGE>   67















                                                                      EXHIBIT A
                                                                             TO
                                                   PASS THROUGH TRUST AGREEMENT


                              FORM OF CERTIFICATE

         *Unless this Certificate is presented by an authorized representative
of The Depository Trust Company, a New York corporation ("DTC"), to Issuer or
its agent for registration of transfer, exchange or payment, and any
Certificate issued is registered in the name of Cede & Co. or in such other
name as is requested by an authorized representative of DTC (and any payment is
made to Cede & Co. or to such other entity as is requested by an authorized
representative of DTC), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE OR OTHER USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR
OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch as the registered owner
hereof, Cede & Co., has an interest herein.

                 AMERICAN AIRLINES, INC. PASS THROUGH TRUST [ ]

                  PASS THROUGH CERTIFICATE, SERIES [ ]

                     Final Regular Distribution Date: [ ],

                     evidencing a fractional undivided interest in a trust, the
                     property of which includes or will include, among other 
                     things, certain Equipment Notes each secured by Aircraft 
                     owned by or leased to American Airlines, Inc.

Certificate No.[ ]   $[ ] Fractional  Undivided  Interest  representing  0.____%
                     of the Trust per $1,000 face amount





         THIS CERTIFIES THAT [ ], for value received, is the registered owner
of a $[ ] ([ ] dollars) Fractional Undivided Interest in the American Airlines
Pass Through Trust, Series [ ] (the "Trust") created by ______________________,
as trustee (the "Trustee"), pursuant to a Pass Through Trust Agreement dated as
of ____________, 1999 (the "Basic Agreement"), as supplemented by Trust
Supplement No. [ ] thereto dated [ ], [ ](collectively, the "Agreement"),

- ---------
     *This legend to appear on Book-Entry Certificates to be deposited with The 
Depository Trust Company.


                                      A-1

<PAGE>   68


between the Trustee and American Airlines, Inc., a corporation incorporated
under Delaware law (the "Company"), a summary of certain of the pertinent
provisions of which is set forth below. To the extent not otherwise defined
herein, the capitalized terms used herein have the meanings assigned to them in
the Agreement. This Certificate is one of the duly authorized Certificates
designated as "[ ]% American Airlines Pass Through Certificate, Series [ ]"
(herein called the "Certificates"). This Certificate is issued under and is
subject to the terms, provisions and conditions of the Agreement. By virtue of
its acceptance hereof, the Certificateholder of this Certificate assents to and
agrees to be bound by the provisions of the Agreement and any related
Intercreditor Agreement. The property of the Trust includes or will include
certain Equipment Notes and all rights of the Trust and the Trustee, on behalf
of the Trust, to receive any payments under any Intercreditor Agreement or
Liquidity Facility (the "Trust Property"). Each issue of the Equipment Notes is
or will be secured by, among other things, a security interest in Aircraft
leased to or owned by the Company.

         The Certificates represent fractional undivided interests in the Trust
and the Trust Property, and, except as may be specified in any Intercreditor
Agreement or in the applicable Trust Supplement, will have no rights, benefits
or interest in respect of any other separate trust established pursuant to the
terms of the Basic Agreement for any other series of certificates issued
pursuant thereto.

         Subject to and in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and any
related Intercreditor Agreement, from funds then available to the Trustee,
there will be distributed on each ____________ and _______________ (a "Regular
Distribution Date"), commencing on ___________, ____, to the Person in whose
name this Certificate is registered at the close of business on the 15th day
preceding the Regular Distribution Date or such other date as shall be
specified for such series in the applicable Trust Supplement, an amount in
respect of the Scheduled Payments on the Equipment Notes due on such Regular
Distribution Date, the receipt of which has been confirmed by the Trustee,
equal to the product of the percentage interest in the Trust evidenced by this
Certificate and an amount equal to the sum of such Scheduled Payments. Subject
to and in accordance with the terms of the Agreement and any related
Intercreditor Agreement, in the event that Special Payments on the Equipment
Notes are received by the Trustee, from funds then available to the Trustee,
there shall be distributed on the applicable Special Distribution Date, to the
Person in whose name this Certificate is registered at the close of business on
the 15th day preceding the Special Distribution Date or such other date as
shall be specified for such series in the applicable Trust Supplement, an
amount in respect of such Special Payments on the Equipment Notes, the receipt
of which has been confirmed by the Trustee, equal to the product of the
percentage interest in the Trust evidenced by this Certificate and an amount
equal to the sum of such Special Payments so received. If a Regular
Distribution Date or Special Distribution Date is not a Business Day,
distribution shall be made on the immediately following Business Day with the
same force and effect as if made on such Regular Distribution Date or Special
Distribution Date and no interest shall accrue during the intervening period.
The Trustee shall mail notice of each Special Payment and the Special
Distribution Date therefor to the Certificateholder of this Certificate.

         Distributions on this Certificate will be made by the Trustee by check
mailed to the Person entitled thereto, without the presentation or surrender of
this Certificate or the making of any 

                                      A-2

<PAGE>   69



notation hereon. Except as otherwise provided in the Agreement and
notwithstanding the above, the final distribution on this Certificate will be
made after notice mailed by the Trustee of the pendency of such distribution
and only upon presentation and surrender of this Certificate at the office or
agency of the Trustee specified in such notice.

         The Certificates do not represent a direct obligation of, or an
obligation guaranteed by, or an interest in, the Company, the Trustee, the Loan
Trustee, any Owner Trustee or any Owner Participant or any Affiliate thereof.
The Certificates are limited in right of payment, all as more specifically set
forth on the face hereof and in the Agreement. All payments or distributions
made to Certificateholders under the Agreement shall be made only from the
Trust Property and only to the extent that the Trustee shall have sufficient
income or proceeds from the Trust Property to make such payments in accordance
with the terms of the Agreement. Each Certificateholder of this Certificate, by
its acceptance hereof, agrees that it will look solely to the income and
proceeds from the Trust Property to the extent available for distribution to
such Certificateholder as provided in the Agreement. This Certificate does not
purport to summarize the Agreement and reference is made to the Agreement for
information with respect to the interests, rights, benefits, obligations,
proceeds, and duties evidenced hereby. A copy of the Agreement may be examined
during normal business hours at the principal office of the Trustee, and at
such other places, if any, designated by the Trustee, by any Certificateholder
upon request.

         The Agreement permits, with certain exceptions therein provided, the
amendment thereof and the modification of the rights and obligations of the
Company and the rights of the Certificateholders under the Agreement at any
time by the Company and the Trustee with the consent of the Certificateholders
holding Certificates evidencing Fractional Undivided Interests aggregating not
less than a majority in interest in the Trust. Any such consent by the
Certificateholder of this Certificate shall be conclusive and binding on such
Certificateholder and upon all future Certificateholders of this Certificate
and of any Certificate issued upon the transfer hereof or in exchange hereof or
in lieu hereof whether or not notation of such consent is made upon this
Certificate. The Agreement also permits the amendment thereof, in certain
limited circumstances, without the consent of the Certificateholders of any of
the Certificates. As provided in the Agreement and subject to certain
limitations set forth, the transfer of this Certificate is registrable in the
Register upon surrender of this Certificate for registration of transfer at the
offices or agencies maintained by the Trustee in its capacity as Registrar, or
by any successor Registrar duly endorsed or accompanied by a written instrument
of transfer in form satisfactory to the Trustee and the Registrar, duly
executed by the Certificateholder hereof or such Certificateholder's attorney
duly authorized in writing, and thereupon one or more new Certificates of
authorized denominations evidencing the same aggregate Fractional Undivided
Interest in the Trust will be issued to the designated transferee or
transferees.

         The Certificates are issuable only as registered Certificates without
coupons in minimum denominations of $1,000 Fractional Undivided Interest and
integral multiples thereof except that one Certificate may be issued in a
different denomination. As provided in the Agreement and subject 



<PAGE>   70



to certain limitations therein set forth, the Certificates are exchangeable for
new Certificates of authorized denominations evidencing the same aggregate
Fractional Undivided Interest in the Trust, as requested by the
Certificateholder surrendering the same.

         No service charge will be made for any such registration of transfer
or exchange, but the Trustee shall require payment of a sum sufficient to cover
any tax or governmental charge payable in connection therewith.

         The Company, the Trustee, the Registrar, and any agent of the Trustee
or the Registrar may treat the person in whose name this Certificate is
registered as the owner hereof for all purposes, and none of the Company, the
Trustee, the Registrar or any such agent shall be affected by any notice to the
contrary.

         The obligations and responsibilities created by the Agreement and the
Trust created thereby shall terminate upon the distribution to
Certificateholders of all amounts required to be distributed to them pursuant
to the Agreement and the disposition of all property held as part of the Trust
Property.

         THIS CERTIFICATE AND THE AGREEMENT SHALL BE CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND THE OBLIGATIONS, RIGHTS AND REMEDIES
OF THE PARTIES AND CERTIFICATEHOLDERS HEREUNDER AND THEREUNDER SHALL BE
DETERMINED IN ACCORDANCE WITH SUCH LAWS.

         Unless the certificate of authentication hereon has been executed by
the Trustee, by manual signature, this Certificate shall not be entitled to any
benefit under the Agreement or be valid for any purpose.




                                      A-4

<PAGE>   71




         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Trustee has caused this Certificate to be duly
executed.

           AMERICAN AIRLINES, INC. PASS THROUGH TRUST SERIES _______


 By:
    ----------------------------
as Trustee


By: 
    ----------------------------
Title:
      --------------------------
Dated:
      --------------------------




             [FORM OF THE TRUSTEE'S CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICATION]

         This is one of the Certificates referred to in the within-mentioned
Agreement.

- --------------------------------,
as Trustee


By:
   -----------------------------
      Authorized Officer





                                      A-5


<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 12

                            AMERICAN AIRLINES, INC.
               COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
                                 (IN MILLIONS)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                      1994        1995        1996        1997       1998
                                                      ----        ----        ----        ----       ----
<S>                                                  <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>   
Earnings: 
   Earnings from continuing operations
   before income taxes and extraordinary
   loss                                             $   100     $    20     $   956     $ 1,287     $ 1,744

   Add:  Total fixed charges (per below)              1,181       1,282       1,075         995         906   

   Less:  Interest capitalized                           21          14          10          19          97
                                                    -------     -------     -------     -------     -------
      Total earnings                                $ 1,260     $ 1,288     $ 2,021     $ 2,263     $ 2,553
                                                    =======     =======     =======     =======     =======
Fixed charges:
   Interest                                         $   441     $   546     $   370     $   297     $   208

   Portion on rental expense representative
   of the interest factor                               736         733         704         697         697

   Amortization of debt expense                           4           3           1           1           1
                                                    -------     -------     -------     -------     -------
      Total fixed charges                           $ 1,181     $ 1,282     $ 1,075     $   995     $   906
                                                    =======     =======     =======     =======     =======

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges                     1.07        1.00        1.88        2.27        2.82
                                                    =======     =======     =======     =======     =======

</TABLE>



<PAGE>   1
 
                                                                   EXHIBIT 23(A)
 
                        CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
 
     We consent to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts" in the
Registration Statement (Form S-3) for the registration of $1,250,000,000 of
American Airlines, Inc. Pass Through Certificates and related Prospectus of
American Airlines, Inc. and to the incorporation by reference therein of our
reports dated January 18, 1999, except for the last paragraph of Note 3 and the
last paragraph of Note 4, for which the date is February 22, 1999, with respect
to the consolidated financial statements and schedule of American Airlines, Inc.
included in its Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 1998,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
 
                                          ERNST & YOUNG LLP
 
Dallas, Texas
March 17, 1999
 
                                       S-1

<PAGE>   1
                                                                     EXHIBIT 24



                            SECRETARY'S CERTIFICATE


         The undersigned certifies that he is the Corporate Secretary of
American Airlines, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and that, as
such, he is authorized to execute this Certificate on behalf of the Company.
The undersigned further certifies that attached hereto as Exhibit A are true
and correct copies of resolutions approved by the Board of Directors of the
Company at a meeting of the Board of Directors duly called and held on November
18, 1998, and such resolutions have not been in any way amended, annulled,
rescinded or revoked and are in full force and effect.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto subscribed his name
this 18th day of March, 1999.


                                          /s/ Charles D. MarLett        
                                          -----------------------------------
                                          Charles D. MarLett
                                          Corporate Secretary


<PAGE>   2



                                                                      Exhibit A

                    EXCERPTS OF MINUTES OF A REGULAR MEETING
                          OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF
                            AMERICAN AIRLINES, INC.

                               November 18, 1998


         RESOLVED, that the Corporation be, and it hereby is, authorized to
file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), pursuant
to Rule 415 of the Rules and Regulations of the Commission, a Registration
Statement, including the prospectuses contained therein (the "Prospectuses"),
on Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement"), covering up to an aggregate
principal amount of $1,250,000,000 of pass through certificates and/or
equipment trust certificates, in one or more series (the "Securities"), relating
to the debt portion of one or more aircraft leveraged lease or mortgage
transactions, under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "1933 Act"),
and one or more amendments (including, without limitation, pre- or
post-effective amendments) or supplements to the Registration Statement or
Prospectuses previously filed under the 1933 Act, covering the offering of the
Securities; provided, that a draft, which may omit exhibits, of such
Registration Statement be furnished to the Board of Directors at a meeting
thereof, or be otherwise distributed to the members of the Board of Directors
for review, prior to the initial filing of such Registration Statement with the
Commission;

         RESOLVED, that the Corporation be, and it hereby is, authorized to
issue from time to time the Securities, in one or more series, in connection
with aircraft leveraged lease or mortgage transactions previously approved or
to be approved by the Board of Directors (whether any such issuance relates to
debt initially to be issued in such lease or mortgage transaction or to be
issued to refinance any such lease or mortgage transaction) and on such terms
as may be approved by the Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and
President, any Executive Vice President, any Senior Vice President or any Vice
President of the Corporation (or any management employee of the Corporation
authorized in writing by any such officer) executing any agreement, document or
instrument relating to such issuance, the execution thereof by any such person
to be conclusive evidence of such approval;

         RESOLVED, that each officer and director who may be required to sign
and execute the Registration Statement or any amendment thereto or document in
connection therewith (whether on behalf of the Corporation, or as an officer or
director of the Corporation, or otherwise), be and hereby is authorized to
execute a power of attorney appointing Gerard J. Arpey, Anne H. McNamara, and
Charles D. MarLett and each of them, severally, his or her true and lawful
attorney or attorneys to sign in his or her name, place and stead in any such
capacity the Registration Statement and any and all amendments (including
post-effective amendments) thereto, and all documents in connection therewith,
and to file the same with the Commission, each of said attorneys to have the
power to act with or without the other, and to have full power and authority to
do and perform, in the name and on behalf of each of said officers and
directors who shall have executed such a power of attorney, every act
whatsoever which such attorneys, or any of them, may deem necessary or
appropriate in




<PAGE>   3



connection therewith as fully and to all intents and purposes as such officers
or directors might or could do in person;

         RESOLVED, that the set of resolutions entitled "General Financing
Resolutions" adopted by the Board of Directors on January 15, 1992, be, and
they hereby are, incorporated by reference in the foregoing resolutions to the
extent such General Financing Resolutions are, or may be, applicable to the
transactions contemplated by such resolutions; and

         RESOLVED, that John T. Curry, III, of Debevoise & Plimpton, counsel
for the Corporation, be, and he hereby is, designated (in lieu of George B.
Adams and John B. Brady, Jr., both also of Debevoise & Plimpton) to act on
behalf of the Corporation as agent for service in respect of matters relating
to the Registration Statement, with all of the powers enumerated in Rule 478 of
the Rules and Regulations of the Commission under the 1933 Act.



<PAGE>   4



                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

         The undersigned, Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive
Officer of American Airlines, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Corporation"),
does hereby constitute and appoint Gerard J. Arpey, Anne H. McNamara and
Charles D. MarLett, and each of them, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact
and agents, with full power of substitution, to execute and deliver in his name
and on his behalf:

                  (a) one or more Registration Statements of the Corporation on
         an appropriate form proposed to be filed with the Securities and
         Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for the purpose of registering under
         the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), up to
         $1,250,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of pass through
         certificates or other securities, in one or more series (the
         "Securities"), to be issued to finance or refinance all or a portion
         of the equipment cost of certain aircraft to be purchased by or leased
         to the Corporation from time to time; and

                  (b) any and all supplements and amendments (including,
         without limitation, post-effective amendments) to such Registration
         Statements;

and any and all other documents and instruments in connection with the issuance
of the Securities which such attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any one of them,
deem necessary or advisable to enable the Corporation to comply with (i) the
Securities Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the other
federal securities laws of the United States of America and the rules,
regulations and requirements of the SEC in respect of any thereof, (ii) the
securities or Blue Sky laws of any state or other governmental subdivision of
the United States of America and (iii) the securities or similar applicable
laws of Canada, Mexico and any other foreign jurisdiction; and the undersigned
does hereby ratify and confirm as his own acts and deeds all that such
attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, shall do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof. Each one of such attorneys-in-fact and agents shall have, and
may exercise, all of the powers hereby conferred.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto subscribed this power
of attorney this 18th day of March, 1999.


                                         /s/ Donald J. Carty            
                                         ----------------------------
                                             Donald J. Carty

Witness:


/s/ Charles D. MarLett
- ----------------------
    Charles D. MarLett



<PAGE>   5



                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

         The undersigned, Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
American Airlines, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Corporation"), does
hereby constitute and appoint Anne H. McNamara and Charles D. MarLett, and each
of them, as his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power
of substitution, to execute and deliver in his name and on his behalf:

                  (a) one or more Registration Statements of the Corporation on
         an appropriate form proposed to be filed with the Securities and
         Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for the purpose of registering under
         the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), up to
         $1,250,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of pass through
         certificates or other securities, in one or more series (the
         "Securities"), to be issued to finance or refinance all or a portion
         of the equipment cost of certain aircraft to be purchased by or leased
         to the Corporation from time to time; and

                  (b) any and all supplements and amendments (including,
         without limitation, post-effective amendments) to such Registration
         Statements;

and any and all other documents and instruments in connection with the issuance
of the Securities which such attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any one of them,
deem necessary or advisable to enable the Corporation to comply with (i) the
Securities Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the other
federal securities laws of the United States of America and the rules,
regulations and requirements of the SEC in respect of any thereof, (ii) the
securities or Blue Sky laws of any state or other governmental subdivision of
the United States of America and (iii) the securities or similar applicable
laws of Canada, Mexico and any other foreign jurisdiction; and the undersigned
does hereby ratify and confirm as his own acts and deeds all that such
attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, shall do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof. Each one of such attorneys-in-fact and agents shall have, and
may exercise, all of the powers hereby conferred.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto subscribed this power
of attorney this 18th day of March, 1999.


                                                 /s/ Gerard J. Arpey           
                                                 ---------------------------
                                                     Gerard J. Arpey

Witness:


/s/ Charles D. MarLett
- ----------------------
    Charles D. MarLett



<PAGE>   6



                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

         The undersigned, a Director of American Airlines, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Corporation"), does hereby constitute and appoint Gerard J.
Arpey, Anne H. McNamara and Charles D. MarLett, and each of them, as his true
and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution, to
execute and deliver in his name and on his behalf:

                  (a) one or more Registration Statements of the Corporation on
         an appropriate form proposed to be filed with the Securities and
         Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for the purpose of registering under
         the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), up to
         $1,250,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of pass through
         certificates or other securities, in one or more series (the
         "Securities"), to be issued to finance or refinance all or a portion
         of the equipment cost of certain aircraft to be purchased by or leased
         to the Corporation from time to time; and

                  (b) any and all supplements and amendments (including,
         without limitation, post-effective amendments) to such Registration
         Statements;

and any and all other documents and instruments in connection with the issuance
of the Securities which such attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any one of them,
deem necessary or advisable to enable the Corporation to comply with (i) the
Securities Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the other
federal securities laws of the United States of America and the rules,
regulations and requirements of the SEC in respect of any thereof, (ii) the
securities or Blue Sky laws of any state or other governmental subdivision of
the United States of America and (iii) the securities or similar applicable
laws of Canada, Mexico and any other foreign jurisdiction; and the undersigned
does hereby ratify and confirm as his own acts and deeds all that such
attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, shall do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof. Each one of such attorneys-in-fact and agents shall have, and
may exercise, all of the powers hereby conferred.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto subscribed this power
of attorney this 18th day of March, 1999.


                                         /s/ David L. Boren               
                                         ----------------------------
                                             David L. Boren

Witness:


/s/ Charles D. MarLett
- ----------------------
    Charles D. MarLett



<PAGE>   7



                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

         The undersigned, a Director of American Airlines, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Corporation"), does hereby constitute and appoint Gerard J.
Arpey, Anne H. McNamara and Charles D. MarLett, and each of them, as his true
and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution, to
execute and deliver in his name and on his behalf:

                  (a) one or more Registration Statements of the Corporation on
         an appropriate form proposed to be filed with the Securities and
         Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for the purpose of registering under
         the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), up to
         $1,250,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of pass through
         certificates or other securities, in one or more series (the
         "Securities"), to be issued to finance or refinance all or a portion
         of the equipment cost of certain aircraft to be purchased by or leased
         to the Corporation from time to time; and

                  (b) any and all supplements and amendments (including,
         without limitation, post-effective amendments) to such Registration
         Statements;

and any and all other documents and instruments in connection with the issuance
of the Securities which such attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any one of them,
deem necessary or advisable to enable the Corporation to comply with (i) the
Securities Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the other
federal securities laws of the United States of America and the rules,
regulations and requirements of the SEC in respect of any thereof, (ii) the
securities or Blue Sky laws of any state or other governmental subdivision of
the United States of America and (iii) the securities or similar applicable
laws of Canada, Mexico and any other foreign jurisdiction; and the undersigned
does hereby ratify and confirm as his own acts and deeds all that such
attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, shall do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof. Each one of such attorneys-in-fact and agents shall have, and
may exercise, all of the powers hereby conferred.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto subscribed this power
of attorney this 18th day of March, 1999.


                                         /s/ Edward A. Brennan         
                                         ----------------------------
                                             Edward A. Brennan

Witness:


/s/ Charles D. MarLett
- ----------------------
    Charles D. MarLett



<PAGE>   8



                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

         The undersigned, a Director of American Airlines, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Corporation"), does hereby constitute and appoint Gerard J.
Arpey, Anne H. McNamara and Charles D. MarLett, and each of them, as his true
and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution, to
execute and deliver in his name and on his behalf:

                  (a) one or more Registration Statements of the Corporation on
         an appropriate form proposed to be filed with the Securities and
         Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for the purpose of registering under
         the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), up to
         $1,250,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of pass through
         certificates or other securities, in one or more series (the
         "Securities"), to be issued to finance or refinance all or a portion
         of the equipment cost of certain aircraft to be purchased by or leased
         to the Corporation from time to time; and

                  (b) any and all supplements and amendments (including,
         without limitation, post-effective amendments) to such Registration
         Statements;

and any and all other documents and instruments in connection with the issuance
of the Securities which such attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any one of them,
deem necessary or advisable to enable the Corporation to comply with (i) the
Securities Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the other
federal securities laws of the United States of America and the rules,
regulations and requirements of the SEC in respect of any thereof, (ii) the
securities or Blue Sky laws of any state or other governmental subdivision of
the United States of America and (iii) the securities or similar applicable
laws of Canada, Mexico and any other foreign jurisdiction; and the undersigned
does hereby ratify and confirm as his own acts and deeds all that such
attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, shall do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof. Each one of such attorneys-in-fact and agents shall have, and
may exercise, all of the powers hereby conferred.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto subscribed this power
of attorney this 18th day of March, 1999.


                                         /s/ Armando M. Codina          
                                         ----------------------------
                                             Armando M. Codina

Witness:


/s/ Charles D. MarLett
- ----------------------
    Charles D. MarLett




<PAGE>   9



                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

         The undersigned, a Director of American Airlines, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Corporation"), does hereby constitute and appoint Gerard J.
Arpey, Anne H. McNamara and Charles D. MarLett, and each of them, as his true
and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution, to
execute and deliver in his name and on his behalf:

                  (a) one or more Registration Statements of the Corporation on
         an appropriate form proposed to be filed with the Securities and
         Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for the purpose of registering under
         the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), up to
         $1,250,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of pass through
         certificates or other securities, in one or more series (the
         "Securities"), to be issued to finance or refinance all or a portion
         of the equipment cost of certain aircraft to be purchased by or leased
         to the Corporation from time to time; and

                  (b) any and all supplements and amendments (including,
         without limitation, post-effective amendments) to such Registration
         Statements;

and any and all other documents and instruments in connection with the issuance
of the Securities which such attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any one of them,
deem necessary or advisable to enable the Corporation to comply with (i) the
Securities Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the other
federal securities laws of the United States of America and the rules,
regulations and requirements of the SEC in respect of any thereof, (ii) the
securities or Blue Sky laws of any state or other governmental subdivision of
the United States of America and (iii) the securities or similar applicable
laws of Canada, Mexico and any other foreign jurisdiction; and the undersigned
does hereby ratify and confirm as his own acts and deeds all that such
attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, shall do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof. Each one of such attorneys-in-fact and agents shall have, and
may exercise, all of the powers hereby conferred.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto subscribed this power
of attorney this 18th day of March, 1999.


                                         /s/ Earl G. Graves              
                                         ----------------------------
                                             Earl G. Graves

Witness:


/s/ Charles D. MarLett
- ----------------------
    Charles D. MarLett



<PAGE>   10



                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

         The undersigned, a Director of American Airlines, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Corporation"), does hereby constitute and appoint Gerard J.
Arpey, Anne H. McNamara and Charles D. MarLett, and each of them, as his true
and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution, to
execute and deliver in his name and on his behalf:

                  (a) one or more Registration Statements of the Corporation on
         an appropriate form proposed to be filed with the Securities and
         Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for the purpose of registering under
         the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), up to
         $1,250,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of pass through
         certificates or other securities, in one or more series (the
         "Securities"), to be issued to finance or refinance all or a portion
         of the equipment cost of certain aircraft to be purchased by or leased
         to the Corporation from time to time; and

                  (b) any and all supplements and amendments (including,
         without limitation, post-effective amendments) to such Registration
         Statements;

and any and all other documents and instruments in connection with the issuance
of the Securities which such attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any one of them,
deem necessary or advisable to enable the Corporation to comply with (i) the
Securities Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the other
federal securities laws of the United States of America and the rules,
regulations and requirements of the SEC in respect of any thereof, (ii) the
securities or Blue Sky laws of any state or other governmental subdivision of
the United States of America and (iii) the securities or similar applicable
laws of Canada, Mexico and any other foreign jurisdiction; and the undersigned
does hereby ratify and confirm as his own acts and deeds all that such
attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, shall do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof. Each one of such attorneys-in-fact and agents shall have, and
may exercise, all of the powers hereby conferred.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto subscribed this power
of attorney this 18th day of March, 1999.


                                         /s/ Dee J. Kelly                   
                                         ----------------------------
                                             Dee J. Kelly


Witness:


/s/ Charles D. MarLett
- ----------------------
    Charles D. MarLett



<PAGE>   11



                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

         The undersigned, a Director of American Airlines, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Corporation"), does hereby constitute and appoint Gerard J.
Arpey, Anne H. McNamara and Charles D. MarLett, and each of them, as her true
and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution, to
execute and deliver in her name and on her behalf:

                  (a) one or more Registration Statements of the Corporation on
         an appropriate form proposed to be filed with the Securities and
         Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for the purpose of registering under
         the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), up to
         $1,250,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of pass through
         certificates or other securities, in one or more series (the
         "Securities"), to be issued to finance or refinance all or a portion
         of the equipment cost of certain aircraft to be purchased by or leased
         to the Corporation from time to time; and

                  (b) any and all supplements and amendments (including,
         without limitation, post-effective amendments) to such Registration
         Statements;

and any and all other documents and instruments in connection with the issuance
of the Securities which such attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any one of them,
deem necessary or advisable to enable the Corporation to comply with (i) the
Securities Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the other
federal securities laws of the United States of America and the rules,
regulations and requirements of the SEC in respect of any thereof, (ii) the
securities or Blue Sky laws of any state or other governmental subdivision of
the United States of America and (iii) the securities or similar applicable
laws of Canada, Mexico and any other foreign jurisdiction; and the undersigned
does hereby ratify and confirm as her own acts and deeds all that such
attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, shall do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof. Each one of such attorneys-in-fact and agents shall have, and
may exercise, all of the powers hereby conferred.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto subscribed this power
of attorney this 18th day of March, 1999.


                                         /s/ Ann D. McLaughlin      
                                         ----------------------------
                                             Ann D. McLaughlin


Witness:


/s/ Charles D. MarLett
- ----------------------
    Charles D. MarLett



<PAGE>   12



                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

         The undersigned, a Director of American Airlines, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Corporation"), does hereby constitute and appoint Gerard J.
Arpey, Anne H. McNamara and Charles D. MarLett, and each of them, as his true
and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution, to
execute and deliver in his name and on his behalf:

                  (a) one or more Registration Statements of the Corporation on
         an appropriate form proposed to be filed with the Securities and
         Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for the purpose of registering under
         the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), up to
         $1,250,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of pass through
         certificates or other securities, in one or more series (the
         "Securities"), to be issued to finance or refinance all or a portion
         of the equipment cost of certain aircraft to be purchased by or leased
         to the Corporation from time to time; and

                  (b) any and all supplements and amendments (including,
         without limitation, post-effective amendments) to such Registration
         Statements;

and any and all other documents and instruments in connection with the issuance
of the Securities which such attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any one of them,
deem necessary or advisable to enable the Corporation to comply with (i) the
Securities Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the other
federal securities laws of the United States of America and the rules,
regulations and requirements of the SEC in respect of any thereof, (ii) the
securities or Blue Sky laws of any state or other governmental subdivision of
the United States of America and (iii) the securities or similar applicable
laws of Canada, Mexico and any other foreign jurisdiction; and the undersigned
does hereby ratify and confirm as his own acts and deeds all that such
attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, shall do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof. Each one of such attorneys-in-fact and agents shall have, and
may exercise, all of the powers hereby conferred.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto subscribed this power
of attorney this 18th day of March, 1999.


                                         /s/ Charles H. Pistor, Jr.         
                                         ----------------------------
                                             Charles H. Pistor, Jr.


Witness:


/s/ Charles D. MarLett
- ----------------------
    Charles D. MarLett



<PAGE>   13



                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

         The undersigned, a Director of American Airlines, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Corporation"), does hereby constitute and appoint Gerard J.
Arpey, Anne H. McNamara and Charles D. MarLett, and each of them, as his true
and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution, to
execute and deliver in his name and on his behalf:

                  (a) one or more Registration Statements of the Corporation on
         an appropriate form proposed to be filed with the Securities and
         Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for the purpose of registering under
         the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), up to
         $1,250,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of pass through
         certificates or other securities, in one or more series (the
         "Securities"), to be issued to finance or refinance all or a portion
         of the equipment cost of certain aircraft to be purchased by or leased
         to the Corporation from time to time; and

                  (b) any and all supplements and amendments (including,
         without limitation, post-effective amendments) to such Registration
         Statements;

and any and all other documents and instruments in connection with the issuance
of the Securities which such attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any one of them,
deem necessary or advisable to enable the Corporation to comply with (i) the
Securities Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the other
federal securities laws of the United States of America and the rules,
regulations and requirements of the SEC in respect of any thereof, (ii) the
securities or Blue Sky laws of any state or other governmental subdivision of
the United States of America and (iii) the securities or similar applicable
laws of Canada, Mexico and any other foreign jurisdiction; and the undersigned
does hereby ratify and confirm as his own acts and deeds all that such
attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, shall do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof. Each one of such attorneys-in-fact and agents shall have, and
may exercise, all of the powers hereby conferred.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto subscribed this power
of attorney this 18th day of March, 1999.


                                         /s/ Joe M. Rodgers           
                                         ----------------------------
                                             Joe M. Rodgers


Witness:


/s/ Charles D. MarLett
- ----------------------
    Charles D. MarLett



<PAGE>   14



                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

         The undersigned, a Director of American Airlines, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Corporation"), does hereby constitute and appoint Gerard J.
Arpey, Anne H. McNamara and Charles D. MarLett, and each of them, as her true
and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution, to
execute and deliver in her name and on her behalf:

                  (a) one or more Registration Statements of the Corporation on
         an appropriate form proposed to be filed with the Securities and
         Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for the purpose of registering under
         the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), up to
         $1,250,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of pass through
         certificates or other securities, in one or more series (the
         "Securities"), to be issued to finance or refinance all or a portion
         of the equipment cost of certain aircraft to be purchased by or leased
         to the Corporation from time to time; and

                  (b) any and all supplements and amendments (including,
         without limitation, post-effective amendments) to such Registration
         Statements;

and any and all other documents and instruments in connection with the issuance
of the Securities which such attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any one of them,
deem necessary or advisable to enable the Corporation to comply with (i) the
Securities Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the other
federal securities laws of the United States of America and the rules,
regulations and requirements of the SEC in respect of any thereof, (ii) the
securities or Blue Sky laws of any state or other governmental subdivision of
the United States of America and (iii) the securities or similar applicable
laws of Canada, Mexico and any other foreign jurisdiction; and the undersigned
does hereby ratify and confirm as her own acts and deeds all that such
attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, shall do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof. Each one of such attorneys-in-fact and agents shall have, and
may exercise, all of the powers hereby conferred.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto subscribed this power
of attorney this 18th day of March, 1999.


                                         /s/ Judith Rodin             
                                         ----------------------------
                                             Judith Rodin


Witness:


/s/ Charles D. MarLett
- ----------------------
    Charles D. MarLett



<PAGE>   15



                               POWER OF ATTORNEY

         The undersigned, a Director of American Airlines, Inc., a Delaware
corporation (the "Corporation"), does hereby constitute and appoint Gerard J.
Arpey, Anne H. McNamara and Charles D. MarLett, and each of them, as his true
and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution, to
execute and deliver in his name and on his behalf:

                  (a) one or more Registration Statements of the Corporation on
         an appropriate form proposed to be filed with the Securities and
         Exchange Commission (the "SEC") for the purpose of registering under
         the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), up to
         $1,250,000,000 in aggregate principal amount of pass through
         certificates or other securities, in one or more series (the
         "Securities"), to be issued to finance or refinance all or a portion
         of the equipment cost of certain aircraft to be purchased by or leased
         to the Corporation from time to time; and

                  (b) any and all supplements and amendments (including,
         without limitation, post-effective amendments) to such Registration
         Statements;

and any and all other documents and instruments in connection with the issuance
of the Securities which such attorneys-in-fact and agents, or any one of them,
deem necessary or advisable to enable the Corporation to comply with (i) the
Securities Act, the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the other
federal securities laws of the United States of America and the rules,
regulations and requirements of the SEC in respect of any thereof, (ii) the
securities or Blue Sky laws of any state or other governmental subdivision of
the United States of America and (iii) the securities or similar applicable
laws of Canada, Mexico and any other foreign jurisdiction; and the undersigned
does hereby ratify and confirm as his own acts and deeds all that such
attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, shall do or cause to be done by
virtue hereof. Each one of such attorneys-in-fact and agents shall have, and
may exercise, all of the powers hereby conferred.

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has hereunto subscribed this power
of attorney this 18th day of March, 1999.


                                         /s/ Maurice Segall            
                                         ----------------------------
                                             Maurice Segall


Witness:


/s/ Charles D. MarLett
- ----------------------
    Charles D. MarLett






























<PAGE>   1


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549


                                    FORM T-1

                                   ---------

                       STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE
                        TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A
                    CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE

                Check if an Application to Determine Eligibility
                 of a Trustee Pursuant to Section 305(b)(2) __


              STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY OF CONNECTICUT,
                             NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
              (Exact name of trustee as specified in its charter)

             Connecticut                                         06-1304336
   (Jurisdiction of incorporation or                          (I.R.S. Employer
organization if not a U.S. national bank)                    Identification No.)

         225 Asylum Street, Goodwin Square, Hartford, Connecticut 06103
          (Address of principal executive offices)          (Zip Code)

  Maureen Scannell Bateman, Esq. Executive Vice President and General Counsel
                225 Franklin Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110
                                 (617) 654-3253
           (Name, address and telephone number of agent for service)

                             ---------------------

                            AMERICAN AIRLINES, INC.
              (Exact name of obligor as specified in its charter)

           Delaware                                              13-1502798
(State or other jurisdiction of                               (I.R.S. Employer
 incorporation or organization)                              Identification No.)

                                P.O. Box 619616
                  Dallas/Fort Worth Airport, Texas 75261-9616
              (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

                              --------------------

                    $1,250,000,000 PASS-THROUGH CERTIFICATES
                        (Title of indenture securities)



<PAGE>   2


                                    GENERAL

ITEM 1.  GENERAL INFORMATION.

         FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO THE TRUSTEE:

         (a) NAME AND ADDRESS OF EACH EXAMINING OR SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY TO
             WHICH IT IS SUBJECT.

                  Comptroller of the Currency
                  Treasury Department of the United States
                  Washington, D.C.

                  Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System
                  Washington, D.C.

                  Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
                  Washington, D. C.

         (b) WHETHER IT IS AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE CORPORATE TRUST POWERS.
                  Trustee is authorized to exercise corporate trust powers.

ITEM 2.  AFFILIATIONS WITH OBLIGOR.

         IF THE OBLIGOR IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH SUCH
         AFFILIATION.

                  The obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee or of its
                  parent, State Street Boston Corporation.

                  (See note on page 2.)

ITEM 3.  THROUGH ITEM 15.   NOT APPLICABLE.

ITEM 16. LIST OF EXHIBITS.

         LIST BELOW ALL EXHIBITS FILED AS PART OF THIS STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY.

         1. A COPY OF THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION OF THE TRUSTEE AS NOW IN
         EFFECT.

                  A copy of the Articles of Association of the trustee as now in
                  effect incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit T-1.1 filed
                  with Form T-1 Statement, Registration No. 33-40617.


         2. A COPY OF THE CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY OF THE TRUSTEE TO COMMENCE
         BUSINESS, IF NOT CONTAINED IN THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION.

                  A copy of the Certificate of the Comptroller of the Currency.

         3. A COPY OF THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE TRUSTEE TO EXERCISE CORPORATE
         TRUST POWERS, IF SUCH AUTHORIZATION IS NOT CONTAINED IN THE DOCUMENTS
         SPECIFIED IN PARAGRAPH (1) OR (2), ABOVE.

                  A copy of the Certification of Fiduciary Powers (included in
                  Exhibit 2).

         4. A COPY OF THE EXISTING BY-LAWS OF THE TRUSTEE, OR INSTRUMENTS
         CORRESPONDING THERETO.

                  A copy of the existing by-laws of the trustee incorporated
                  herein by reference to Exhibit T-1.1 filed with Form T-1
                  Statement, Registration No. 33-40617.

                                       1

<PAGE>   3


         5. A COPY OF EACH INDENTURE REFERRED TO IN ITEM 4. IF THE OBLIGOR IS IN
         DEFAULT.

                  Not applicable.

         6. THE CONSENTS OF UNITED STATES INSTITUTIONAL TRUSTEES REQUIRED BY
         SECTION 321(b) OF THE ACT.

                  The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the
                  Act is annexed hereto as Exhibit 6 and made a part hereof.

         7. A COPY OF THE LATEST REPORT OF CONDITION OF THE TRUSTEE PUBLISHED
         PURSUANT TO LAW OR THE REQUIREMENTS OF ITS SUPERVISING OR EXAMINING
         AUTHORITY.

                  A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee
         published pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or
         examining authority is annexed hereto as Exhibit 7 and made a part
         hereof.


                                     NOTES

         In answering any item of this Statement of Eligibility which relates to
matters peculiarly within the knowledge of the obligor or any underwriter for
the obligor, the trustee has relied upon information furnished to it by the
obligor and the underwriters, and the trustee disclaims responsibility for the
accuracy or completeness of such information.

         The answer furnished to Item 2. of this statement will be amended, if
necessary, to reflect any facts which differ from those stated and which would
have been required to be stated if known at the date hereof.



                                   SIGNATURE

         Pursuant to the requirements of the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as
amended, the trustee, State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut,
National Association, a national banking association organized and existing
under the laws of the United States, has duly caused this statement of
eligibility to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, all in the City of Boston and The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on
the 19th day of March, 1999.


                                       STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY OF
                                       CONNECTICUT, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION


                                       By: /s/ Alison Della Bella
                                           -------------------------------------
                                           Alison Della Bella
                                           Assistant Vice President

                                       2

<PAGE>   4


                                EXHIBIT 1 AND 2


(COMPTROLLER OF THE CURRENCY ADMINISTRATOR OF NATIONAL BANKS--LETTERHEAD)

I Eugene A. Ludwig, Comptroller of the Currency, do hereby certify that:

1. The Comptroller of the Currency, pursuant to Revised Statutes 324, et seq.,
as amended, 12 U.S.C. 1, et seq., as amended, has possession, custody and
control of all records pertaining to the chartering, regulation and supervision
of all National Banking Associations.

2. "State Street Bank and Trust Company of Connecticut, National Association",
Hartford, Connecticut, (Charter No. 22272), is a National Banking Association
formed under the laws of the United States and is authorized thereunder to
transact the business of banking and exercise Fiduciary Powers on the date of
this Certificate.

                                       IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I have hereunto
                                       subscribed my name and caused my seal of
                                       office to be affixed to these presents
                                       at the Treasury Department, in the City
                                       of Washington and District of Columbia,
                                       this 1st day of April, 1998.


                                       /s/ Eugene A. Ludwig
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Comptroller of the Currency

                                       3

<PAGE>   5


                                   EXHIBIT 6


                             CONSENT OF THE TRUSTEE

         Pursuant to the requirements of Section 321(b) of the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, as amended, in connection with the proposed issuance by American
Airlines, Inc. of its $1,250,000,000 Pass-Through Certificates, we hereby
consent that reports of examination by Federal, State, Territorial or District
authorities may be furnished by such authorities to the Securities and Exchange
Commission upon request therefor.

                                       STATE STREET BANK AND TRUST COMPANY OF
                                       CONNECTICUT, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION


                                       By: /s/ Alison Della Bella
                                          --------------------------------------
                                          Alison Della Bella
                                          Assistant Vice President

Dated: March 19, 1999

                                       4

<PAGE>   6


                                   EXHIBIT 7

<TABLE>
<S>                                                                         <C>
Legal Title of Bank: State Street Bank and Trust Company of CT, N.A.        Call Date: 12/31/98
Address:             Goodwin Square, 225 Asylum Street, Floor 29
City, State Zip      Hartford, CT 06103
FDIC Certificate No.: 33132
</TABLE>

Consolidated Report of Condition for Insured Commercial
and State-Chartered Savings Banks for December 31, 1998

All schedules are to be reported in thousands of dollars. Unless otherwise
indicated, report the amount outstanding as of the last business day of the
quarter.

Schedule RC--Balance Sheet

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                      Thousands of
ASSETS                                                                                                Dollars

<S>                                                                                                     <C>  
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:
         Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin .........................................   7,439
         Interest-bearing balances...................................................................       0
Securities:
         Held-to-maturity balances...................................................................       0
         Available-for-sale securities...............................................................      90
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to resell ..............................       0
Loans and lease financing receivables:
         Loans and leases, net of unearned income ...................................................       0
         LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses ..................................................       0
         LESS: Allocated transfer risk reserve ......................................................       0
         Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance, and reserve ...........................       0
Trading assets.......................................................................................       0
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases) ............................................     313
Other real estate owned..............................................................................       0
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies .................................       0
Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding ........................................       0
Intangible assets....................................................................................   2,077
Other assets.........................................................................................   1,198
Total assets ........................................................................................  11,117
Losses deferred pursuant to 12 U.S.C 1823(j) ........................................................       0
Total assets and losses deferred pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 1823(j) ......................................  11,117
</TABLE>

                                       5

<PAGE>   7


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                         <C>
Legal Title of Bank: State Street Bank and Trust Company of CT, N.A.        Call Date: 12/31/98
Address:             Goodwin Square, 225 Asylum Street, Floor 29
City, State Zip      Hartford, CT 06103
FDIC Certificate No.: 33132
</TABLE>


Schedule RC - Continued


<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                             <C>  
LIABILITIES

Deposits:
         In domestic offices.................................................................       0
                  Noninterest-bearing .......................................................       0
                  Interest-bearing ..........................................................       0
         In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs.......................       0
                  Noninterest-bearing .......................................................       0
                  Interest-bearing ..........................................................       0
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to repurchase ..................       0
Demand notes issued to the U.S. Treasury.....................................................       0
Trading Liabilities .........................................................................       0
Other borrowed money ........................................................................       0
         with a remaining maturity of one year or less.......................................       0
         with a remaining maturity of more than one year through three years................        0
         with a remaining maturity of more than three years..................................       0
Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding ....................................       0
Other liabilities  ..........................................................................   3,944
Total liabilities ...........................................................................   3,944

EQUITY CAPITAL

Perpetual preferred stock and related surplus................................................       0
Common stock    .............................................................................     500
Surplus .....................................................................................   2,500
Undivided profits and capital reserves ......................................................   4,173
Net unrealized holding gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities ......................       0
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments .........................................       0
Total equity capital ........................................................................   7,173
Losses deferred pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 1823(j)................................................       0
Total equity capital and losses deferred pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 1823(j).......................   7,173
Total liabilities, equity capital, and losses deferred pursuant to 12 U.S.C. 1823(j) ........  11,117
                                                                                               ======
</TABLE>

                                       6

<PAGE>   8


We, the undersigned directors, attest to the correctness of this statement of
resources and liabilities. We declare that it has been examined by us, and to
the best of our knowledge and belief has been prepared in conformance with the
instructions and is true and correct.

                                       Chris A. Hayes
                                       Deborah A. Robbins
                                       James A. Quale


I, Chris A. Hayes, Senior Vice President, Director and Chairperson of the Board,
of the above named bank do hereby declare that the Report of Condition is true
and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief.

                                       Chris A. Hayes








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