American Airlines Inc. served notice Friday on the Allied Pilots Association that it wants to start talks early on a new labor deal.

Although the negotiations will probably touch on many subjects, American is expected to ask for work rule changes that will let it get more flying from each pilot.

But the union is expected to ask to get back some of the pay it gave up in 2003.

"Our goal in these negotiations is to work with the APA to identify creative ways to run the airline more efficiently," American spokeswoman Sue Gordon said Friday. "We really don't have any preconceived notions or ideas for how to best achieve this."

Allied Pilots president Ralph Hunter said union officials "would be rather shocked and surprised if they didn't seek productivity improvements. I think we're ready for them to ask for that. We, of course, have some concerns of our own."

Mr. Hunter, referring to a controversial bonus plan that gave stock and cash worth about $100 million to managers this year, said it appears that "increased compensation is not beyond the ability of this company to afford."

Under threat of a bankruptcy filing in April 2003, American won big concessions on pay and work rules from its major unions. The deal gave the Fort Worth-based carrier lower pilot costs than many major competitors.