American Airlines has reduced its September schedule by greater than 10,000 flights, significantly reducing frequencies on quite a few routes and cutting others. Easy Flying has contacted American for comment but has not received a reply on the time of publication.
Significant reduction in September
Several airlines reduced summer schedules a couple of months ago, anticipating a scarcity of personnel to fulfill the significantly increasing demand for air travel. Coming off Memorial Day Weekend, during which the US had its busiest day in air travel since before the COVID-19 pandemic, American has removed greater than 10,000 flights from its September schedule.
Photo: Lukas Souza | Easy Flying
Though 10,000 flights is a big number, it only represents a 6% reduction in American’s operations in September. As of last week, the carrier had 175,589 flights scheduled and now plans to operate 165,025. In September 2022, American operated 160,434 flights, 2.9% fewer than scheduled for September.
By flight numbers, American’s Newark-Chicago route suffered probably the most significant reduction, with 62 fewer flights one-way. The changes mean American will operate 31% fewer flights than initially planned, eliminating about 15,000 seats in each direction. This likely comes because the FAA requested that airlines reduce flights from the Latest York City area airports as a result of Air Traffic Controller Shortages.
The next most-cut route can be from an airport where the FAA asked airlines to cut back flights, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport. As of last week, American had 139 flights scheduled between Washington and Portland, Maine, but has cut 54, representing a 38.8% reduction on the route. As of now, American will operate 26.7% fewer flights, year-over-year.
The table below shows the ten most affected routes in American’s schedule by reduction in flight numbers. Its base at Charlotte Douglas International Airport has probably the most routes affected. American is cutting flights from Charlotte to Charleston, Greensboro, Norfolk, and Richmond. The Richmond route will see 22.9% fewer flights than in the identical period during 2022, probably the most significant year-over-year reduction of the Charlotte routes.
Photo: Lukas Souza | Easy Flying
From its hub at Raleigh Durham International Airport, American will only fly to Tampa International Airport five times in September. As of last week, the carrier had 55 flights scheduled. Last 12 months, American operated 60 flights on the route in September, 91.7% greater than this September’s schedule.
As of this week |
As of last week |
Yr prior |
Yr-over-year |
||
Origin |
Destination |
Flights |
Flights |
Flights |
Flights |
ORD |
EWR |
133 |
195 |
202 |
-34.20% |
DCA |
PWM |
85 |
139 |
116 |
-26.70% |
ORD |
RIC |
59 |
110 |
64 |
-7.80% |
CLT |
CHS |
185 |
235 |
179 |
3.40% |
CLT |
GSO |
185 |
235 |
186 |
-0.50% |
CLT |
ORF |
185 |
235 |
228 |
-18.90% |
RDU |
TPA |
5 |
55 |
60 |
-91.70% |
LAX |
BOS |
60 |
110 |
112 |
-46.40% |
CLT |
RIC |
185 |
235 |
240 |
-22.90% |
MIA |
LAX |
185 |
235 |
210 |
-11.90% |
Route cuts
Ten routes are cut in September, two from Charlotte, two from Dallas, one from Boston, three from Phoenix, and two from Chicago. Below is an entire list of all of the route cuts:
- Charlotte – Bozeman
- Charlotte – San Jose Del Cabo
- Dallas Fort Price – Grand Cayman
- Dallas Fort Price – Nassau
- Boston – Hilton Head Island
- Phoenix – Ixtapa/Zihuatanejo International
- Phoenix – Idaho Falls
- Chicago – Charleston
- Chicago – Billings
- Phoenix – Cleveland