American Airlines to temporarily suspend two international routes from Los Angeles and New York

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American Airlines is suspending two international routes from Los Angeles and New York for two months this fall. Flights to Mexico City and Cancun will be suspended through November. The temporary cuts are part of the airline’s plan to adjust capacity.

American Airlines is dropping two international routes from its hubs in Los Angeles and New York this fall, a suspension that is reportedly expected to last just two months and is in line with the airline’s plans to cut back on growth.

The flights, which depart from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) between Mexico City and Cancun, respectively, are expected to see growth in the second half of the year nearly 5% slower than the first half.

Seasonal adjustment

According to Aeroroute, the airline will reduce operations on Sept. 4. From Los Angeles International Airport, it operates one flight a day to Mexico City International Airport (MEX) on a Boeing 737-800, and from John F. Kennedy International Airport, it operates daily to Cancun International Airport (CUN) on a 737 MAX 8. Both routes will be suspended until Nov. 4, just before demand picks up during the holiday season.

Check it out: Find flights between New York and Cancun here!

An American Airlines Boeing 737-823 (N357PV) lands at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

Photo: Robin Guess | Shutterstock

American Airlines confirmed the temporary service reductions in a statement to Simple Flying on Sunday.

“As part of our evaluation of our 2024 capacity expansion plans, American Airlines seasonally adjusted service at LAX-MEX and JFK-CUN in September and October. We are making this adjustment to help us re-accommodate customers on affected flights. We apologize for any inconvenience caused to customers’ travel.”

Several alternative options available

American Airlines will suspend these routes, but other airlines that operate these routes will not. Aeromexico, Delta, Viva Aerobus and Volaris will continue to operate between Los Angeles International Airport and Mexico City. Delta and JetBlue will operate routes from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Kansas City International Airport. However, affected travelers who choose to continue flying American Airlines and not rebook on another airline will have many options remaining via one of the airline’s alternative hubs.

An American Airlines Boeing 777-300ER lands at Miami International Airport. Hot Topic: Flagship Failure: American Airlines executive explains why it’s dropping wide-body planes between Miami and Los Angeles The airline reportedly “almost always loses money” when operating Boeing 777s or 787 Dreamliners on domestic routes.

American Airlines will continue to serve Mexico City from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Miami International Airport (MIA) and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). Service to CUN will operate from the same hubs, as well as Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).

Slowing growth

American Airlines has focused in recent months on calibrating capacity and growth for the remainder of the year, and the temporary cuts follow guidance outlined by CEO Robert Isom during a presentation at the Bernstein Strategic Decisions conference in New York last month.

“We are taking a closer look at our growth plans for the second half of the year and are making adjustments that will result in lower capacity than previously planned,” Isom explained. “We currently expect growth to slow to about 3.5% in the second half of the year from just over 8% in the first half of the year.”

American Airlines Boeing 737-823 (N958NN) at Cancun International Airport.

Photo: astudio | Shutterstock

The cuts to the LAX-MEX and JFK-CUN routes aren’t the only temporary adjustments this fall: Simple Flying previously reported that American Airlines will also temporarily suspend 737 MAX 8 flights between MIA and John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County, California. The route, which began in January, will be reduced for three months from August through November.

American Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8. Read more American Airlines to temporarily suspend Boeing 737 MAX 8 flights between Miami and Orange County The airline’s motivations are unclear, but it plans to resume operations before the busy holiday travel season at the end of the year.
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