American Airlines down to just 13 daily flights from NYC
American Airlines is slashing its schedule to New York City, suspending most of its flights at all three local airports.
With the schedule cuts, American will fly just 13 daily round-trip flights combined across JFK, LaGuardia and Newark airports during a temporary schedule that begins Tuesday, April 7, and runs through May 6.
American’s decision comes as New York has emerged as a coronavirus hotspot.
“As coronavirus (COVID-19) cases in New York City and the surrounding region continues to increase, along with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines for travel to the area, the demand for flights to the New York area is rapidly evaporating,” David Seymour, American’s senior vice president for operations said in a memo to employees on Sunday night.
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American is making other temporary changes at the three New York City-area airports. Its operations at those facilities will now run only from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. “as turn-only operations with no aircraft or crews remaining overnight.”
American also will restrict capacity on its New York flights to help “maintain social distancing onboard each aircraft,” though many flights across the U.S. have already been flying with just a handful of passengers in recent weeks.
American is the latest carrier to make dramatic cuts in New York as the metro area has emerged as a battleground in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
More: Airlines, airports shift terminals as passenger traffic craters
On Saturday, United announced its own major cut for New York. That included its Newark hub, where the airline pared its schedule to just 15 daily flights to nine destinations. That's down from its previous schedule of 139 daily flights to 62 destinations. At LaGuardia, United will reduce its schedule from 18 daily flights to just two. The airline does not fly from JFK.
JetBlue, which operates a hub at New York JFK, had already announced plans to reduce its schedule there by 80%.
Low-cost carrier Spirit is suspending all of its service not only to the New York City area, but to nearly all of the airports it serves in the states of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut. The one exception: Atlantic City, where Spirit is the only commercial carrier. It continues to offer limited service there.
More: Some global airlines have completely suspended service during coronavirus pandemic
For American, the New York City cuts are hard to understate. American counts New York as a hub, offering robust schedules from both LaGuardia and JFK airports.
Underscoring the depth of the cuts is American's new schedule from LaGuardia to both Boston and Washington National. American typically offers hourly shuttle flights on both routes, but – from April 7 through May 6 – the carrier will operate just one round-trip flight a day on each of the routes.
American said its limited New York schedule would offer a key link to the region during the outbreak.
“This limited New York service will continue to provide critical connectivity for our customers, including transportation for any essential personnel and goods needed by the community and medical professionals battling the disease,” Seymour said.
More: American Airlines accelerates Boeing 757, 767 retirements due to coronavirus
American Airlines temporary NYC schedule (April 7-May 6)
LaGuardia
Charlotte: 2 daily flights
Dallas/Fort Worth: 2 daily flights
Boston: 1 daily flight
Chicago O’Hare: 1 daily flight
Miami: 1 daily flight
Washington National: 1 daily flight
JFK
Charlotte: 1 daily flight
Dallas/Fort Worth: 1 daily flight
Miami: 1 daily flight
Newark Liberty
Charlotte: 1 daily flight
Dallas/Fort Worth: 1 daily flight
Chicago O’Hare: 1 daily flight suspended as of April 9
Featured photo by Clint Henderson/The Points Guy.
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| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
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.

