American Airlines makes good on threat to ax cities, cuts 15 in 'first step'
American Airlines has added 15 U.S. cities to the list of things it plans to cut this fall in an effort to right-size the airline amid a historic drop in air travel because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Fort Worth, Texas-based Oneworld alliance carrier called the cuts -- initially from just Oct. 7 to Nov. 3 -- the "first step" in a broad re-evaluation of its route map. Additional schedule changes are expected in the "coming weeks," American said in a statement on Thursday
The reductions come a week after the flight schedule requirements in the federal coronavirus aid package, or CARES Act, expire on Sept. 30. American has also warned around 26,000 staff members of possible furloughs beginning in October.
Sign up for the free daily TPG newsletter for more airline news!
American is suspending service to the following cities in October:
- Del Rio, Texas (DRT) - served from Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
- Dubuque, Iowa (DBQ) - served from Chicago O'Hare (ORD)
- Florence, South Carolina (FLO) - served from Charlotte (CLT)
- Greenville, North Carolina (PGV) - served from Charlotte
- Huntington, West Virginia (HTS) - served from Charlotte
- Joplin, Missouri (JLN) - served from Dallas/Fort Worth
- Kalamazoo, Michigan (AZO) - served from Chicago O'Hare
- Lake Charles, Louisiana (LCH) - served from Dallas/Fort Worth
- New Haven, Connecticut (HVN) - served from Philadelphia (PHL)
- Newburgh, New York (SWF) - served from Philadelphia
- Roswell, New Mexico (ROW) - served from Dallas/Fort Worth
- Sioux City, Iowa (SUX) - served from Chicago O'Hare
- Springfield, Illinois (SPI) - served from Dallas/Fort Worth
- Stillwater, Oklahoma (SWO) - served from Dallas/Fort Worth
- Williamsport, Pennsylvania (IPT) - served from Charlotte and Philadelphia
Related: American Airlines could drop up to 30 cities this fall because of coronavirus
American indicates that it could "re-assess [its] plans" if the CARES Act's payroll support program for airline staff is extended. Labor unions are leading the push for an additional six months of employment protections though every major carrier supports the effort.
The prospects for an extension of the payroll support program are uncertain, at best. Congress is not scheduled to reconvene to discuss a new CARES Act until after Labor Day in September.
American's departure will leave nine of the cities entirely without commercial air service. Del Rio, Dubuque, Florence, Greenville, Joplin, New Haven, Roswell, Stillwater and Williamsport, according to Cirium schedules.
Related: How will airlines rebuild their route maps after the coronavirus?
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees