American ends service to Oakland, is first US airline to permanently drop a city after coronavirus
American Airlines will end service to Oakland, California, on June 3 becoming the first U.S. carrier to say it would permanently exit a city because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The Oneworld Alliance carrier's last flight from Oakland (OAK), AA2964, is scheduled to depart for Phoenix (PHX) at 12:41 p.m. local time on Wednesday, according to American's website. It will be operated with a Bombardier CRJ700.
American spokeswoman Nichelle Tait confirmed that the airline will permanently end service to Oakland. The airline will continue to serve nearby San Francisco (SFO) and San Jose (SJC) airports.
Get Coronavirus travel updates. Stay on top of industry impacts, flight cancellations, and more.
Travelers whose flights to Oakland are cancelled have several options. They can get a refund for their tickets or change to another flight to San Francisco or San Jose without a fee.
Nearly every U.S. airline has suspended service to destinations due to the crisis. With passenger numbers at historic lows, the U.S. Department of Transportation has allowed carriers to suspend flights to select airports within the rules laid out in the coronavirus aid package, also known as the CARES Act.
Some carriers have gone big, like JetBlue Airways, suspending flights to more than 20 airports across the country. On the other hand, Southwest Airlines has maintained service to all of the U.S. cities on its map. American has suspended flights to seven cities, including three airports in the Rocky Mountains of Colorado and three in Hawaii.
Related: American says goodbye to shortest domestic route crown with new flexibility to drop cities
No airline, however, has said it will not return to a U.S. airport after Sept. 30, when CARES Act air service rules lift.
American can end service to Oakland because the airport is in the same metropolitan region as other major airports. The DOT allows airlines to consolidate flights in multi-airport regions like California's Bay Area to as few as one facility without approval.
The airline previously suspended service between Oakland and Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) due to the Boeing 737 MAX grounding last July, but continued to fly to the city from its Phoenix hub.
Related: A complete list of major carriers' coronavirus change and cancellation policies
The move is another blow to Oakland. The airport lost JetBlue Airways in March, and long-haul discounter Norwegian Air unveiled plans to consolidate its service at San Francisco airport rather than Oakland in December. United Airlines ended flights to Oakland in 2012.
Oakland remains a base for Southwest Airlines even with the carrier's planned schedule adjustments this winter.
American first began flying to Oakland after World War II. It served the airport until 2008, then again after its merger with US Airways in 2013, according to Cirium schedules.
Related: American CEO expects major US airlines to survive pandemic
The story has been updated to reflect American's suspension of service to Oakland from 2008 through 2015.
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