American Airlines announces major flight suspensions to Europe, South America
American Airlines announced major cuts on March 12 to its European and South American schedules, a move that comes amid slumping demand and new travel restrictions aimed at the coronavirus outbreak.
American said it would slash summer capacity on international routes by 34% as compared to what it had originally expected to sell during the summer season.
Transatlantic flying will take a particularly big hit, with a 50% flight reduction in April. The cuts – including a number of route suspensions – were announced a day after President Trump announced restrictions on foreign travelers heading to the United States from Europe. U.S. citizens can return, but their return travel must be to a CDC-approved airport where health officials can screen incoming travelers.
American said it would continue to operate at least some routes to Europe for up to seven days “to ensure customers and employees can return home” in the wake of the new U.S. restrictions.
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More on AA's cuts: American Airlines accelerates Boeing 757, 767 retirements due to coronavirus
In total, American will suspend service or delay the start of seasonal flights on nearly two dozen routes between the U.S. and Europe. The airline also will reduce capacity on a handful of others, mostly to and from London Heathrow (LHR). Most of the cuts begin within the next week and will last into May or June, depending on the route.
To South America, American will suspend all of its service to Argentina beginning next week. Service to Buenos Aires is expected to resume May 7. American’s nonstop service between Miami and Cordoba was already set to be discontinued in May, but will now end in March – earlier than expected.
Elsewhere in South America, American will pare back service to Chile and Brazil. The carrier is suspend its Dallas/Fort Worth-Santiago route from March 19 through June 3, though American will continue to serve the city from Miami.
The suspension of Argentina flights comes after that nation announced it would stop issuing visas for travelers from countries hit hard by the coronavirus, including those from the U.S.. U.K. and Europe’s Schengen Area.
More: Everything you need to know about the U.S. European travel ban
Similarly, American will suspend flights to São Paulo from its hubs at Dallas/Fort Worth and Los Angeles starting March 19. American expects DFW flights to resume in June, though the Los Angeles flights will be suspended through late October. The airline will still fly to the Brazilian metropolis from Miami and New York.
The cuts announced March 12 came after other coronavirus-related flight reductions already made by American, particularly to places like China, South Korea and Italy. The newest update adds a substantial number of cuts to American's international schedule.
A full list of American’s newly announced flight suspensions is below.
EUROPE
Charlotte (CLT)
Frankfurt (FRA): Suspended March 13 through May 6; flights expected to resume May 7
Munich (MUC): Suspended March 13 through May 6; flights expected to resume May 7
More: Can I cancel or change my award ticket due to coronavirus travel waivers?
Chicago O’Hare (ORD)
Rome (FCO): Seasonal start delayed; flights expected to begin June 4
London Heathrow (LHR): Reduced from four daily flights to three; regular schedule expected to resume May 7
Dallas/Fort Worth
Rome (FCO): Seasonal start delayed; flights expected to begin May 7
Frankfurt (FRA): Suspended March 19 through May 6; flights expected to resume May 7
London Heathrow (LHR): Reduced from four daily flights to three; regular schedule expected to resume May 7
Madrid (MAD): Suspended March 19 through May 6; flights expected to resume May 7
Paris (CDG): Suspended March 19 through May 6; flights expected to resume May 7
More: Tips for booking flights home from Europe now, airlines introducing fare caps
Miami (MIA)
Barcelona (BCN): Suspended March 19 through May 6; flights expected to resume May 7
Paris (CDG): Suspended March 19 through June 3; flights expected to resume June 4
Madrid (MAD): Suspended March 19 through May 6; flights expected to resume May 7
Milan (MXP): Suspended through May 6; flights expected to resume May 7
New York JFK
Barcelona (BCN): Suspended March 19 through May 6; flights expected to resume May 7
Rome (FCO): Seasonal start delayed; flights expected to begin May 7
London (LHR): Reduced from four daily flights to three; regular schedule expected to resume May 7
Madrid (MAD): Suspended March 19 through June 3; flights expected to begin June 4
Milan (MXP): Suspended through May 6; flights expected to resume May 7
Paris (CDG): Suspended March 19 through May 6; flights expected to resume May 7
More: Should I travel? Advice for the coronavirus outbreak
Philadelphia (PHL)
Amsterdam (AMS): Suspended March 13 through May 6; flights expected to resume May 7
Paris (CDG): Suspended March 13 through May 6; flights expected to resume May 7
Rome (FCO): Suspended through May 6; ; flights expected to resume May 7
Madrid (MAD): Suspended March 13 through May 6; flights expected to resume May 7
Zurich (ZRH): Suspended March 13 through May 6; flights expected to resume May 7
Raleigh/Durham (RDU)
London Heathrow (LHR): Suspended March 19 through May 6; flights expected to resume May 7
SOUTH AMERICA
Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
Buenos Aires (EZE): Suspended March 16 through June 3; flights expected to resume June 4
São Paulo (GRU): Suspended March 19 through June 3; flights expected to resume June 4
Santiago (SCL): Suspended March 19 through June 3; flights expected to resume June 4
In-depth: What does the coronavirus outbreak mean for travelers?
Los Angeles (LAX)
Buenos Aires (EZE): Suspended March 16 through Oct. 24; flights expected to resume Oct. 25
São Paulo (GRU): Suspended March 19 through October 24; flights expected to resume Oct. 25
Miami (MIA)
Buenos Aires (EZE): Suspended March 16 through May 6; flights expected to resume May 7
Cordoba, Argentina (COR): Service will end permanently in March, earlier than the previously expected May 6 end-of-service date
Buenos Aires (EZE): Suspended March 16 through June 3; flights expected to resume May 7
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 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.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.