American Airlines Employees Compete In 'Jet Pull' Fundraiser

American Airlines maintenance base employees helped raise money for the Tulsa Area United Way by pulling a new Boeing 737 Wednesday morning. 

More than a dozen American employee teams competed to see who could pull the 47-ton aircraft 15 feet in the shortest time. 

Company officials said the "jet pull" is a tradition that began with US Airways and is part of the airline's philanthropic program, American Giving. 

Airline and United Way officials were on hand to cheer for the teams some of which pulled the aircraft the required distance in under 5 seconds.

The aircraft they pulled is a brand new Boeing 737-800. It makes its first revenue flight on Thursday. 

The airplane is fitted with the airline's new "sky" interior, according to American Airlines Vice President John McDonald. The sky interior features new lighting and new seats which are smaller and provide passengers with more room.

McDonald said the airline brings new 737s to Tulsa to get certain equipment installed including 4G wi-fi.