American contributes another $74 million toward DB plans

American Airlines Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, contributed $74 million in cash to its defined benefit plans, bringing the company's total contributions so far this year to $287 million, Spokesman Tim Wagner confirmed. Officials at the company have estimated the airline will contribute a total of $310 million by Dec. 31. American's defined benefit plans are 80% funded. The company had total pension assets of about $7.3 billion as of Dec. 31, according to its annual report.