American Airlines is preparing for a busy year with expanded service, updated routes, and enhancements to its AAdvantage program and onboard experience. The carrier announced 18 new routes for summer 2019, including seasonal service to Glacier National Park. While many Montana flights operate via regional partners from smaller cities, American is also increasing seasonal long-haul frequency with additional service from Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) to Paris (CDG) and Madrid (MAD) using Boeing 787-9 aircraft, adding a second daily flight on those routes.
In March, American began daily service between Charlotte Douglas International and Munich, Germany, and launched flights between Phoenix Sky Harbor and London Heathrow. Spring brought seasonal service between Philadelphia and Edinburgh, Scotland, and in June the airline planned to start seasonal flights from Philadelphia to Berlin-Tegel, Bologna in Italy, and Dubrovnik, Croatia.
Responding to demand for travel to Cuba, American introduced a daily flight from Miami International to Antonio Maceo Airport (SCU) in Santiago de Cuba starting May 3. The carrier also entered Durango, Mexico (DGO), becoming the only U.S. airline to serve the DGO–SCU market. These additions build on an already extensive schedule across Mexico, the Caribbean, and Latin America from American’s hubs in Dallas/Fort Worth and Miami.
Alongside growth, American announced schedule reductions and suspensions. Flights between Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and Tokyo Narita were reduced to three times weekly instead of daily. The airline suspended nonstop service from Chicago O’Hare to Shanghai Pudong and to Beijing (PEK) at the end of 2018, and it plans to seek authority to operate to Beijing’s new Daxing International Airport when that facility opens.
This year also brings significant airport investments. At ORD, American is investing $215 million in a new maintenance hangar and ground equipment building, joining recent enhancements such as new L-Stinger gates, a Flagship Lounge, renovated Admirals Club locations, and several new routes. In 2018 the airline added 18 destinations from Chicago including Venice, Vancouver, and Honolulu, with 12 additional routes slated for 2019, including anticipated nonstop service to Athens.
American Airlines and British Airways announced plans to co-locate operations at New York’s JFK Terminal 8. Scheduled for completion in 2022, the consolidation is intended to streamline connections and strengthen the airlines’ Atlantic Joint Business partnership. The $334 million Terminal 8 project will add five widebody gates, four adjacent hard stands, upgraded baggage systems, new lounges, premium check-in areas, and enhanced concessions and retail space.
At Los Angeles International Airport, American is investing $1.6 billion to modernize Terminals 4 and 5, the airline’s busiest domestic terminals. The renovation is American’s largest single airport investment, promising more efficient check-in and security, an energy-conscious departure hall, updated technology, and improved dining and shopping.
In February, American took delivery of its first Airbus A321neo, which arrived at Pittsburgh from Hamburg and began customer service on routes such as Phoenix to Orlando. The A321neo will be deployed on additional routes including Phoenix–Anchorage and Los Angeles–Hawaiʻi, and will gradually help replace the airline’s Boeing 757 fleet. These aircraft seat 196 customers and feature enhanced Wi-Fi, power at every seat, free wireless entertainment, and larger overhead bins.
Lie-flat seat © AMERICAN AIRLINES
Changes to the AAdvantage program both raise some qualification thresholds and expand redemption options. The airline introduced award redemptions in Premium Economy for many international routes to and from Asia, Australia, Europe, New Zealand, and South America, as well as select domestic flights to Hawaiʻi and Alaska. Canada was moved into the contiguous U.S. award region for pricing purposes. At the same time, mileage requirements for Premium Cabin travel to Hawaiʻi increased for most regions. Executive Platinum qualification thresholds also rose: Elite Qualifying Dollars (EQDs) increased from $12,000 to $15,000 for the 2020 membership year. Members who reach high EQM or EQS levels will have more reward choices, including systemwide upgrades, bonus miles, or gifting AAdvantage status.
To improve onboard entertainment, American rolled out free in-flight access to Apple Music on domestic aircraft equipped with Viasat satellite Wi-Fi, allowing customers to stream music, playlists, and videos at no extra cost. The airline committed to installing more high-speed Wi-Fi across its domestic fleet by mid-2019. Free live TV and wireless entertainment, plus power at every seat on mainline aircraft and two-class regional jets, continued to be deployed throughout the year.
American also introduced upgraded amenity kits created with partners This Is Ground, Athletic Propulsion Labs, and STATE Bags, featuring brands like Allies of Skin, Zenology, and Baxter of California. The rotating kits differ by cabin and include leather accessories and skincare products, aimed at improving comfort for business travelers in International Flagship First and Business classes.
Amenity kits © AMERICAN AIRLINES
Food offerings are also being refreshed with input from chefs at Mediterranean-inspired Zoës Kitchen, with a new menu planned for late 2019. Selections include breakfast sandwiches with turkey bacon, egg and Calabrian pepper aioli on waffle brioche or a continental breakfast box with a waffle, hazelnut spread, and fresh fruit. Lunch options will feature fruit-and-cheese plates, sandwiches and wraps with Mediterranean slaw, manchego and feta spreads, hummus, and a chocolate chip cookie. Passengers will pre-order and prepay for meals online, with prices expected to range from about $8.99 for a fruit-and-cheese plate to $10 for a sandwich or wrap.
Breakfast sandwich © AMERICAN AIRLINES
Overall, 2019 brought new routes, deeper partnerships, fleet modernization, and enhanced passenger amenities across American Airlines’ network. Travelers should watch for seasonal schedule changes and take advantage of expanded connectivity and entertainment options when flying with the carrier.