American Joins Southwest in Scrapping 737 MAX Flights Through Summer Travel Season
American Airlines has extended its cancellations for flights operated by the Boeing 737 MAX through August 19, becoming the latest airline to scrap its plans to fly the plane through the busy summer travel season. American's decision highlights just how difficult it will be to resolve safety issues for the jet and adds a headache to hundreds of thousands of vacationers who need need to deal with schedule changes. The cancellation will impact 115 flights per day, the airline said in a statement.
American Airlines cited the upcoming busy summer travel season as the primary factor in deciding to prolong cancellations. "As we prepare for summer, our focus is around planning for the busiest travel period of the year...Our commitment to each other and to our customers is to operate the safest and most reliable operation in our history", read a statement co-authored by airline CEO Doug Parker and President Robert Isom.
American Airlines noted that the airline is "highly confident that the MAX will be recertified prior to this time." However, with the grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX, approximately 115 flights, roughly 1.5% of American's daily flights, will be impacted. The airline says extending Boeing 737 MAX cancellations through the end of the peak summer travel season will allow it to proactively accommodate passengers and handle operational issues.
The co-authored statement from Parker and Isom also noted that American's "Reservations and Sales teams will continue to work closely with customers to manage their travel plans."
Passengers who are concerned about the status of their flight as a result of the extension of Boeing 737 MAX cancellations should contact American Airlines now rather than the week or day of their flight. As airlines shuffle planes, other routes will be affected so keep an eye on your itinerary and keep checking it up until the date of departure. If the aircraft has been switched, there's a chance you could lose seats together with any travel companions. There's also a chance passengers might find themselves rebooked on a connecting flight or leaving at a different time of day. If your flight was moved more than an hour, try calling the airline to be moved to another flight or ask for a refund and rebook with another carrier. Passengers who proactively contact American to inquire about their flight and make necessary changes now will avoid long hold times and disruptions on the day of travel.
According to analysis of AA's flight schedule, American Airlines' most common MAX routes are:
- Miami (MIA) – New York LaGuardia (LGA)
- Miami (MIA) – Boston (BOS)
- Miami (MIA) – Bridgetown, Barbados (BGI)
- Miami (MIA) – Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago (POS)
- Miami (MIA) – Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (SDQ)
- Miami (MIA) – Orlando (MCO)
Southwest Airlines, which operates the largest fleet of Boeing 737 MAXs worldwide, also recently adjusted its schedule, removing the Boeing 737 MAX from its schedule through August 5. Southwest also cited the ability to better handle operational issues during the summer travel season.
Boeing 737 MAX remains grounded worldwide following two high-profile crashes that resulted in the death of 346 passengers within a five-month period. The Boeing 737 MAX's faulty MCAS has been implicated in both crashes. As a result of the Boeing 737 MAX grounding, operators across the globe have faced numerous disruptions to operations. Boeing has also faced significant losses, with the company's stock falling roughly 10% during the past month. This latest cancellation extension signifies just how serious the MAX issues are, and how long it will take not just to fix the problem but also to train pilots.
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- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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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. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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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.