american airlines

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American Airlines Pauses Its New York Operation, Drops Flights 95%

by Gary Leff on April 6, 2020

Apr 06 2020

On Sunday I wrote that American Airlines was operating more flights out of Newark airport than United Airlines. That seemed insane, considering United’s major hub at the airport. With the coronavirus crisis limiting air travel generally, and the New York area the current epicenter of fighting the virus in the United States, continuing to operate even 15 flights from Newark hardly seemed to make sense for American.

It seems the Dallas-based carrier realizes this, and has pulled down its schedule from the three major U.S. airports to just 13 flights in total from April 7 through May 6.

American Airlines Is Now A Bigger Than United At Newark

by Gary Leff on April 5, 2020

Apr 05 2020

For ‘at least’ the next three weeks United will operate a reduced schedule with only 17 flights from the New York area, including 15 from Newark. Today American Airlines is scheduled to operate more flights from Newark than United.

American Lays Out Their Plan To Bring Back International Service This Summer

by Gary Leff on April 2, 2020

Apr 02 2020

American’s May schedule will have only 10% of its usual international flying, and about 20% of its domestic flying.

They’ve just announced what they’re planning to fly internationally for summer. It’s much more ambitious.

American Airlines Reminds Flight Attendants To Pitch Credit Cards During Coronavirus Crisis

by Gary Leff on April 2, 2020

Apr 02 2020

American Airlines and their credit card partner Barclays have updated the offer for the credit card they market inflight. And with this change, American Airlines is again encouraging flight attendants to hand out paper applications on board to passengers, even while they’re reducing the rest of their service levels to promote health and safety of cabin crew and customers alike.

American Airlines sent out a message to flight attendants who have been through training to qualify to pitch the card inflight.

American Airlines Suggests Employees Take A Second Job At Amazon And Instacart

by Gary Leff on April 1, 2020

Apr 01 2020

Even though U.S. airlines are getting access to a $58 billion federal bailout, and even though taking government money places limits on furloughing employees, there are going to be employees who do lose their jobs, lose their hours, and also just have time on their hands.

American Airlines has set up relationships to facilitate hiring of their employees by 6 large companies who are looking for workers.

American Airlines Will Fly Even Less In May, Considers Retiring Another Arcraft Type

by Gary Leff on March 31, 2020

Mar 31 2020

American Airlines thinks their May schedule – targeted at 20% of its normal domestic flying and 10% of international – will be closer to demand. That’s what airline President Robert Isom told flight attendants in an online question and answer session on Friday.

With less flying they’re looking at retiring not just Embraer E-190s, Boeing 757s and 767s, but also Airbus A330-300s. Currently 135 of the airline’s 150 widebody jets are parked. Yet they’re still planning to take delivery of new 737 MAX and 787 aircraft this year.

Will American Airlines Furlough Employees Once The Bailout Money Runs Out?

by Gary Leff on March 31, 2020

Mar 31 2020

The $58 billion airline ~~smash and grab~~ bailout comes with several restrictions, including maintaining service to cities that already have flights and no employee furloughs through September 30.

In an employee ‘crew news’ session on Friday, airline President Robert Isom told flight attendants that once government restrictions on furloughs lift after September there are a number of things that will help to shrink employee numbers before getting to furloughs. Pilots, though, he was willing to tell that furloughs aren’t in the card.

American Airlines Now Offering Employees Leave At 25% Pay And Full Benefits Or Early Retirement

by Gary Leff on March 30, 2020

Mar 30 2020

Two weeks ago American was asking flight attendants to take leave with no pay. Unsurprisingly they didn’t have enough takers. Pilots, however, could take leave or early retirement at about two-thirds pay.

American is now offering paid early retirement and paid leave across the company, not just for pilots, though of course the leave options aren’t as generous as what pilots receive.

American Airlines Group Loses A Chicago O’Hare Gate Agent to COVID-19

by Gary Leff on March 30, 2020

Mar 30 2020

American’s wholly-owned regional subsidiary Envoy Air lost a 51 year old Chicago O’Hare gate agent named José Vázquez. Just Saturday Envoy Air had shared the information with its Chicago team that “two (2) of our Envoy employees here at ORD tested positive for the Coronavirus (COVID-19).”

American Airlines Makes Basic Economy Better: Paid Seat Assignments At Booking

by Gary Leff on March 28, 2020

Mar 28 2020

I do not see any real reason to stay way from Basic Economy fares at this point, unless the buy up to regular economy is very small. It largely is a buy up for the possibility of an upgrade and more credit towards re-earning elite status, which has been less likely and less valuable in recent years. And that means, effectively, the end of basic economy as a pricing strategy.