At American’s “Crew News” employee forum with management this week the airline revealed that they are considering non-stop service to Malaga, which the airline’s Vice President – Planning describes as “a particular well to do city in Spain.”
Raja explains the profitability of Spain for American. They have a revenue-sharing anti-trust immunized joint venture with Spanish carrier Iberia (which is owned by the parent company of British Airways).
American Airlines happens to do really well to Spain. When I last checked I think we’re the largest carrier to Barcelona, between us and IAG we are the largest airline alliance to Madrid as well. They’re extremely profitable flights for us from almost all of our hubs.
He then offers that yes — “it is something that we’re looking at, Malaga.”
Whether or not they add it next comes down to a tradeoff with more service to Eastern Europe, because he says their new seasonal flights there are working out so well.
I don’t know quite yet if it’s going to be the first off our list. We’ve so far been really excited by Prague and Budapest. Their RASM performance has been pretty amazing, some of our best flying in continental Europe. So that may actually compel us to go fly more things in Eastern Europe before we come back into Spain.
American’s CEO Doug Parker then asked, “Does anyone fly, is there any non-stop service [from the U.S. to Malaga]?” and Raja points out that Delta has flown New York JFK – Malaga “on and off over the last several years.”
If American does look further at Eastern Europe first, though, Dubrovnik is clamoring for twice-weekly American Airlines service. If they’re taking requests though I wouldn’t mind a seasonal Mallorca flight.
That is great, American Airlines is giving one more chance to fly between Usa and Spain. It looks like an interesting option, but I wait to see the rates of the tickets, because as I learned with the guide https://bit.ly/2ms2Bo5, there are always good options for cheaper prices. It is important to know how to search and book flights. Anyway let me send you congratulations for this amazing blog.
I have been extensively to Croatia. It is a wonderful country to see beyond Dubrovnik. Right now you have to take someone like LOT to Poland and then on to Zagreb. Non Stop service to Dubrovnik would be wonderful but so would non Stop service to Malaga. Croatia is HOT right now with tourists. Europeans discovered it many years ago but more and more Americans are hearing wonderful stories like ours and planning to head there.
More tourists in the summer is exactly what Dubrovnik doesn’t need. They’re already talking about turning away cruise ships.
I’d rather go to Malaga than Dubrovnik. A non-stop flight from US to a city like Dubrovnik (population 42,000) does not make sense.
WOW. Either Dubrovnik or Malaga would be a great non-stop addition for my family.
Malaga? That place hasn’t been a hot destination since like the 90’s – Unless you are a British or Swedish pensioner. Even the super budget Brits and others have graduated to the likes of Las Palmas.