American Airlines announced on Wednesday that they will reset their International network schedule for the remainder of 2020 through summer 2021. The carrier will also extend their no change fee offer for flight booked in July.
Today, American Airlines announced the reset of their international network schedule for the remainder of 2020 through summer 2021. The carrier’s summer 2021 international long-haul capacity will be reduced by 25 percent compared to 2019. American Airlines will focus on markets to create unique connectivity for guests and leverage partnerships as the foundation of future international growth. Additionally, the company announced that they will extend their no change fee offer for flights booked in July. In Wednesday’s announcement, American Airlines’ Chief Revenue Officer, Vasu Raja said,
“COVID-19 has forced us to reevaluate our network. American will have a significantly smaller international network in the year ahead, but we are using this opportunity to hit reset and create a network using the strength of our strategic hubs that we can build and grow upon and be profitable on in this new environment. For American, every new partnership means future growth opportunities for our airline. We’re going to rely on our hubs’ greatest strengths with our international network, and further integrate into our partners’ hubs to provide connectivity that’s been untapped in the past.”
Also commenting on Wednesday’s announcement, American Airlines’ Vice President of Network Planning, Brian Znotins added,
“American has spent the past few years right-sizing its international network, discontinuing underperforming routes while adding leisure destinations like Dubrovnik and Prague. Now, as demand has significantly diminished due to COVID-19, we have to be nimble, creating a network that our customers desire.”
American Airlines will exit three trans-Atlantic routes from both Charlotte (CLT) and Philadelphia (PHL) and will also exit five underperforming routes from Los Angeles (LAX) to destinations in Asia and South America. As part of the reset, the carrier will utilize Dallas-Fort Worth as their major trans-Pacific hub and Miami (MIA) as their preeminent hub for service to Latin America and the Caribbean. As travel restrictions ease, Philadelphia will continue to be American’s primary hub for European service.
As previously announced, American launched a West Coast International Alliance with Alaska Airlines earlier this year, which the carrier will leverage for future growth with a large presence and substantial network feed in Seattle (SEA). The airline is also launching service between Seattle and both Bangalore and London in 2021 and Alaska Airlines will also become a member of the global oneworld® alliance next year. American Airlines will also seek regulatory approval to move their Shanghai service from Los Angeles to Seattle, thereby building on Alaska Airlines’ strength in the Pacific Northwest. The carrier expects to offer a full schedule to London Heathrow (LHR) in 2021 and will continue to fly to joint business partner hubs, including those of British Airways.
Finally, American Airlines announced on Wednesday an expansion of waived change fees for any First Class, Business, Premium Economy or Main Cabin tickets purchased through July 31, 2020. Guests will also be permitted to change their origin and destination city pairs as part of this offer. The extended flexibility options exclude Basic Economy fares and AAdvantage® award tickets and customers must pay any fare difference, if applicable. American’s change fee waiver is currently available for all tickets including Basic Economy and AAdvantage® award tickets for travel through September 30, 2020.
Source: American Airlines