Approach, young grasshopper, and I will reveal what you do not know and chase the cloud form your mind. I have been flying the skies of American since the days when one took all day to fly from the lofty perch the Mexica people called "Tenochtitlán" to the flat lands of the City of Saint Anthony in the Republic of Tejas (often referred to by the natives as "San Antone,") particularly because the aerial chariots, referred to as "Gooney Birds" in some realms - or "DC-3s" in others - we flew in had to land for additional sustenance in the citadel below the Mountain of Kings (referred to locally as "Monterrey.") In the arcane language of those strange, perhaps mythical, beings called "FlyerTalkers," who speak a strange language unknown to many and are known to be restless souls always moving from one place to antoehr, never still and seeking the Grail called Eee Ecks Pee, such a voyage would be called "MEX-MTY-SAT," and it was flown at low levels amongst currents of air and mountains.

Once, in a time when airplanes flew with rotating blades and motive devices that burned gasoline, American Airlines had twin-engined craft they called "DSTs" (Douglas Sleeper Transports) and DC-3s (they were both the same, but the DSTs had bunks that folded out, much like another ancient and defunct conveyance called the "Pullman Car.")

When they were parked at their places of embarkation, they often had a triangular pennant, blue with two large "A" flanking an eagle in a red-framed circle with stars (yes, much like the Admirals Club logo some have seen.) This pennant was originally based on a naval ensign of some kind, and the pennant was socketed in a base by the starboard cockpit window. These aerial conveyances were then called "Flagships," and usually had the name of an airport.

An example would be the DC-3 NC17344 "Flagship Detroit"

Another would be the excellently restored example in the C. R. Smith Museum at DFW Airport, the DC-3-227 NC21798 "Flagship Knoxville." In this photo you can see the vaunted pennant.

A bit of American Airlines history is here for you.

So, you can see the word "Flagship" really has little to do with anything other than a nostalgic and symbolic name. Many aircraft were called "Flagships" - in addition to DC-3s, DC-6s and DC-7s, etc. etc. I have flown on all of these and many more - my few remaining hairs are white, and my sitting place is flat from many hours in seats of these slim metal tubes flying about this small world with people seated within.

Perhaps on 777s it refers to the Flagship Suites they all sport, or to three class service - it may mean whatever you would like it to mean, but as in all things aerial, it may pay not to invest too much meaning in a mere name. Now, go in peace, and may your soul relinquish this restless and aimless search for reason and logic within that arcane practice known as airline marketing.

Now that this has been revealed to you, you must never, never use this knowledge to harm others.