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May saw the fewest US airline flights in 26 years

Aug. 21, 2020
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3 min read
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May saw the fewest US airline flights in 26 years
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May was a tough month for airlines. Fresh off the worst of the coronavirus pandemic, U.S. carriers slashed schedules — some cutting 90% of their flights from the same period in 2019.

Now the numbers are in and they are as bad as expected. U.S. airlines flew just 180,151 flights, the fewest on record since February 1994, according to Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS) data.

That's right: February 1994. Bill Clinton was president; the Winter Olympics where Tonya Harding and Nancy Kerrigan skated for gold took place in Lillehammer, Norway; and then-new regional carrier Qatar Airways was less than a month old.

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And even in 1994, carriers flew more than double what they did this May, though 1994 is the year the agency officially began tallying the numbers.

May spelled a sharp reversal of fortune for the industry. Airlines were flying high prior to the pandemic during what some are calling a now-past modern Golden Age of air travel. More than 7.9 million flights were flown, carrying a record 811 million travelers aboard U.S. domestic flights in 2019, according to BTS data.

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That all came to a screeching halt in March after it became clear COVID-19 was not contained in China. While airlines recognize April as the low point for flyers, it took them more than a month to reduce their schedules in sync with the number of travelers. For example, Southwest Airlines began April flying more than half of its schedule — but with fewer than 10% of seats filled. That was rectified with deeper cuts over the month.

Thus U.S. carriers operated 194,390 flights in April, 7% more than in May, BTS data shows.

Related: Global air travel unlikely to recover until 2024 as COVID remains ‘issue’ in US, elsewhere

While flights plummeted, consumer complaints skyrocketed in May. BTS reports a whopping 1,591% jump in complaints to 21,914 that month compared to a year earlier. The vast majority — 20,915 — were regarding ticket refunds.

Flight numbers should begin climbing in June. Every airline had begun adding back flights for what appeared as a nascent recovery, with some like Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines even launching new routes. That recovery, however, had stalled by July as COVID-19 infections surged again across the U.S.

U.S. domestic flights are scheduled to rise to nearly 435,000 in August, according to Cirium data. Airlines have begun to pull back flights in September, with just over 387,000 scheduled. This is in preparation for what J.P. Morgan analyst Jamie Baker says could be an "autumn of discontent."

Related: Airlines may face a tough fall after that summer uptick

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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)

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  • 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.