Advertiser Disclosure

Many of the credit card offers that appear on this site are from credit card companies from which we receive financial compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear). However, the credit card information that we publish has been written and evaluated by experts who know these products inside out. We only recommend products we either use ourselves or endorse. This site does not include all credit card companies or all available credit card offers that are on the market. See our advertising policy here where we list advertisers that we work with, and how we make money. You can also review our credit card rating methodology.

American Airlines Axes 9 Routes From Its Long-Haul Route Network

Daniel Ross's image
Daniel Ross
Jump to Section

We may be compensated when you click on product links, such as credit cards, from one or more of our advertising partners. Terms apply to the offers below. See our Advertising Policy for more about our partners, how we make money, and our rating methodology. Opinions and recommendations are ours alone.

American Airlines is going against the current trend of route announcements and network growth as it details a slew of long-haul route cuts from across its network.

What’s more, the issues are not directly linked to the industry-wide chaos linked with the pandemic.

Let’s investigate further.

Advertisement

Cuts and Reduced Frequencies

The regions affected by the route cuts will be Asia, Europe, and South America. Some routes will also see a reduction in the frequency of flights.

Asia

4 major routes from the U.S. to Asia will be axed for the foreseeable future:

  • Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) to Beijing (PKX)
  • Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) to Hong Kong (HKG)
  • Seattle (SEA) to Bangalore (BLR)
  • Seattle (SEA) to Shanghai (PVG)

There will also be some reductions in service frequencies. American’s route from Los Angeles (LAX) to Sydney (SYD) will restart in January 2022 and build up to a daily frequency by the end of the month. However, as of April 2022, this will reduce to 3 times weekly.

Additionally, when the currently-suspended Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) to Shanghai (PVG) route returns in April 2022, it will only have a twice-weekly frequency.

Europe

A mixture of major routes, as well as some less important, leisure routes, will be axed from American’s European route network moving into 2022.

Leisure routes from Philadelphia (PHL) to Edinburgh (EDI) and Shannon (SNN) will be completely suspended with no set date for their return.

Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle, Scotland.

Elsewhere, American is pulling its route to Paris (CDG) from Miami (MIA) and will reduce its Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) route to the French capital from twice to once daily.

And finally, there is no sign of the popular tourist destinations of Dubrovnik (DBV) and Prague (PRG) in American’s summer schedule for summer 2022.

South America

Some important destinations in South America will also see a reduced service. Buenos Aires (EZE) and Santiago (SCL) will see a reduced service from daily to 3 times per week from Dallas Fort Worth (DFW).

And from Miami (MIA), there’ll be a reduction of 4 weekly flights to Buenos Aires (EZE), bringing the total number of weekly flights to 10.

Hot Tip: Look for alternative routes to these destinations? Check out our guides on the best ways to fly to China, Hong Kong, India, Europe, and South America with points and miles. 

Why Are Routes Being Cut?

The reason behind the axing of this many routes is due to delays with the delivery of 13 of the smallest Dreamliner variant — the Boeing 787-8.

“If it’s Boeing, it’s not going,” could be an accurate rephrasing of the popular AvGeek saying, “If it’s not Boeing, I’m not going.”

As it currently stands, Boeing has paused production of the aircraft while it tries to solve quality control issues that were affecting the jet’s production.

This means that American has to temporarily substitute the missing Boeing 787-8 aircraft with other long-haul planes. To do this, the airline has to forgo some frequencies and even pull some routes all together to be able to spread its capacity as far as possible.

Advertisement

It’s Not All Bad

There is some good news.

American will be bringing back its route from Philadelphia (PHL) to Venice (VCE).

Not to forget the recent (and rather curious) announcement of the new New York (JFK) to Doha (DOH) route that is set to launch on June 4, 2022.

Final Thoughts

Schedule changes are commonplace as airlines continuously analyze the profitability of their routes.

However, in this case, American has had to cut and reduce certain route frequencies due to balance out gaps in its fleet.

Hopefully, this will only be a temporary move and American will be able to restore its network once Boeing resolves its production line issues.

Daniel Ross's image

About Daniel Ross

Daniel has loved aviation and travel his entire life. He earned a Master of Science in Air Transport Management and has written about travel and aviation in publications like Simple Flying, The Points Guy, and more.

INSIDERS ONLY: UP PULSE

Deluxe Travel Provided by UP Pulse

Get the latest travel tips, crucial news, flight & hotel deal alerts...

Plus — expert strategies to maximize your points & miles by joining our (free) newsletter.

We respect your privacy. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA. Google's privacy policy  and terms of service  apply.

Deluxe Travel Provided by UP Pulse

We Recommend

Platinum Card® from American Express

  • You may be eligible for as high as 175,000 Membership Rewards® points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Get more for your travels with 5X Membership Rewards® points on all flights and prepaid hotel bookings through American Express Travel®, including Fine Hotels + Resorts® and The Hotel Collection bookings. You earn 5X points on flights purchased directly from airlines or through American Express Travel® on up to $500,000 on these purchases per calendar year.
Show more
  • More Value! With over 1,550 airport lounges - more than any other credit card company on the market* - enjoy the benefits of the Global Lounge Collection®, over $850 of annual value, with access to Centurion Lounges, 10 complimentary Delta Sky Club® visits when flying on an eligible Delta flight (subject to visit limitations), Priority Pass Select membership (enrollment required), and other select partner lounges. * As of 07/2025.
  • More Value! $200 Uber Cash + $120 Uber One Credit: With the Platinum Card® you can receive $15 in Uber Cash each month plus a bonus $20 in December when you add your Platinum Card® to your Uber account to use on rides and orders in the U.S when you select an Amex Card for your transaction. Plus, when you use the Platinum Card® to pay for an auto-renewing Uber One membership, you can get up to $120 in statement credits each calendar year. Terms apply.
  • More Value! $300 Digital Entertainment Credit: Get up to $25 in statement credits each month after you pay for eligible purchases with the Platinum Card® at participating partners. Enrollment required.
  • More Value! $600 Hotel Credit: Get up to $300 in statement credits semi-annually on prepaid Fine Hotels + Resorts® or The Hotel Collection* bookings through American Express Travel® using the Platinum Card®. *The Hotel Collection requires a minimum two-night stay.
  • New! $400 Resy Credit + Platinum Nights by Resy: When you use the Platinum Card® to pay at U.S. Resy restaurants and to make other eligible purchases through Resy, you can get up to $100 in statement credits each quarter with the $400 Resy Credit benefit. Plus, with Platinum Nights by Resy, you can get special access to reservations on select nights at participating in demand Resy restaurants with the Platinum Card®. Simply add your eligible Card to your Resy profile to book and discover Platinum Nights reservations near you, enrollment required.
  • More Value! $209 CLEAR® Plus Credit: CLEAR® Plus helps get you to your gate faster by using unique facial attributes to verify you are you at 50+ airports nationwide. You can cover the cost of a CLEAR Plus Membership* with up to $209 in statement credits per calendar year after you pay for CLEAR Plus with the Platinum Card®. *Excluding any applicable taxes and fees. Subject to auto-renewal.
  • $200 Airline Fee Credit: Select one qualifying airline and then receive up to $200 in statement credits per calendar year when incidental fees, such as checked bags and in-flight refreshments, are charged by the airline to the Platinum Card® Account*. American Express relies on airlines to submit the correct information on airline transactions to identify incidental fee purchases. If you do not see a credit for a qualifying incidental purchase on your eligible Card after 8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Qualifying airlines are subject to change. See terms & conditions for more details.
  • Start your vacation sooner, and keep it going longer. When you book Fine Hotels + Resorts® through American Express Travel®, enjoy noon check-in upon arrival, when available, and guaranteed 4PM check-out.
  • New! $300 lululemon Credit: Enjoy up to $75 in statement credits each quarter when you use the Platinum Card® for eligible purchases at U.S. lululemon retail stores (excluding outlets) and lululemon.com. That’s up to $300 in statement credits each calendar year. Enrollment required.
  • $155 Walmart+ Credit: Receive a statement credit* for one monthly Walmart+ membership (subject to auto-renewal) after you pay for Walmart+ each month with the Platinum Card®.*Up to $12.95 plus applicable local sales tax. Plus Ups not eligible.
  • $100 Saks Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits annually for purchases at Saks Fifth Avenue or saks.com on the Platinum Card®. That’s up to $50 in statement credits from January through June and up to $50 in statement credits from July through December. No minimum purchase required. Enrollment required.
  • Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
  • $895 annual fee.
  • Terms Apply.
DMCA.com Protection Status