An American Airlines reservation center has been made available for lease. The center, located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has been closed down as the company has transitioned much of its office staff to remote work. It was closed back in January 2021, as 575 airline employees adapted to a digital workplace.

The center offers over 100,000 square feet of office space and will come fully furnished. The building is also available for sub-lease through 2030. The sub-lease option would require the buyer to lease at least one floor and keep the rest of the building available. This property joins a long list of available office spaces in Winston-Salem.

Another change in the air transport industry

The year 2020 was a turning point in modern history. It quickly became accepted that the world would never be the same as it was before COVID-19, and yet, humanity still seems to cling to 2019, using it as a reference point in every financial statement. The airlines are just as guilty as any in this regard. Every decision made by airlines worldwide is affected in some way by the pandemic, from route closures to rapid expansion, the stem of these changes always seems to be found in 2020.

The industry was devastated by the travel restrictions that accompanied the unseen virus. The internet became flooded with articles addressing the difficulties pilots and flight attendants faced while flying empty planes. Slowly but surely, routes were suspended, and the layoffs began. However, this did not only affect flight crews. Many unseen airline employees were just as affected. Those who staffed the reservation center in Winston-Salem were among them.

With office spaces closed, American Airlines was forced to implement a work-from-home strategy for its office staff to continue operations. This quickly caught on and became many employees' preferred means of work. Despite difficulties, many airlines worldwide now offer remote work for their office staff - just one of many changes the airlines have embraced to adapt to this new era of air travel.

A plethora of office space

American Airlines' decision to part with the reservation center falls in line with the fact that most of its office staff had already transitioned to remote work before its closure at the start of this year. Regardless, it is likely that the airline will have a difficult time finding a new tennant. There are multiple large office spaces in the area that have been on the market for over a year.

It has been reported that the property will fare better than others in the same weight class as it will come fully furnished with all the necessary amenities needed for an office setting. Through an independent company American Airlines has hired, Skootr.com, the office space will be equipped with furniture, printers, internet, phones, meeting rooms, vending machines, air conditioning, a full-time security guard, and courier/concierge services.

With office staff steadily transitioning to remote work, more and more office spaces are growing vacant. American Airlines will likely retain the former Winston-Salem reservation center property for the foreseeable future. The airlines will likely see more office workers transition to remote work in the coming months and years.

What do you think of this latest real estate offering from American Airlines? Let us know in the comments below.

Source: Winston-Salem Journal