American Airlines CEO makes the case why DFW should get Amazon's HQ2

Doug Parker knows what it's like to relocate your life to another city. He did just that when he relocated from Phoenix to Dallas-Fort Worth to take the job at American Airlines after it merged with US Airways.

Speaking to an audience at the North Texas Commission Annual Luncheon on Tuesday, the chief executive officer of American Airlines Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: AAL) stressed how clean the transition was moving from Arizona to North Texas. The area's livability is a main reason why he thinks Amazon.com, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) should choose DFW as the site for its second headquarters, dubbed HQ2.

"I think Dallas-Fort Worth is a phenomenal place to be," Parker said. "We know as well as anybody having moved so many people, including myself, from Phoenix where US Airways was headquartered to Dallas-Fort Worth what an amazing community it is for people to live and to work. Show Full Story

"There's just so many different areas, between a really urban area in either Fort Worth or Dallas to something much less urban in the outer communities," he added. "So many great school systems. And people that move here love living here."

Parker is one of many to espouse the values of Dallas-Fort Worth to Amazon, which is expected to make its decision sometime this year. When exactly that will happen is unknown. A site selection expert recently told the Dallas Business Journal not to expect a decision until after the midterm elections.

Whatever community ends up securing one of the most massive commercial real estate deals this century is sure to be changed with the introduction of the 50,000 high-paying jobs Amazon says it's bringing. DFW's ability to handle an influx of people is another reason why it should have a good shot at nabbing HQ2, Parker said, referencing Toyota bringing thousands of jobs to Plano.

There's another reason Parker would like to see Amazon bring jobs here. After all, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport is one of its major hubs.

"The community can handle it," Parker said of DFW after the event. "It's large enough and the infrastructure is here. There are enough great people here for all of us. And indeed, from American's perspective, it will result in even more demand for air travel."

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