American Airlines Expands in Europe, Scales Back in Asia

American Airlines is beefing up its flights to Europe with nine new routes next summer. However, it is scaling back its Asia services as oil prices spike and competition grows.

Next summer, there will be new routes to popular European cities, including daily service to Munich from Cleveland and daily service from Dallas Fort Worth to Munich and Dublin. Seasonal service will include travel from Chicago to Athens, Greece, and flights from Philadelphia to Scotland, Berlin-Tegel, Bologna, Italy, and Dubrovnik.

“By providing the only nonstop service from North America to Bologna and Dubrovnik and adding Berlin to our international footprint, American is making it easier to see the world,” said Vasu Raja, vice president of network and schedule planning. “Through our Atlantic Joint Business, we have seen increased interest to these markets from the U.S., and adjusting our network to introduce these destinations will provide more choices for customers on both sides of the Atlantic.”

American will also add a new nonstop flight from Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to London Heathrow, enhancing service from partner airline British Airways.

“We are in the business of making the world more accessible, and with the success of Budapest and Prague, as well as the new flights we’re announcing today, we continue to make the world a little bit smaller for our customers,” said Raja. “We are pleased to work with our partners at British Airways to design a schedule that complements the full joint business.”

Fuel surcharges are curbing flights to Asian destinations.

In October, service from Chicago to Shanghai will be suspended and American will reduce its service from Chicago to Tokyo’s Narita International Airport from daily to three times per week, starting the week of December 18, 2018.

“We remain strongly committed to Asia and will continue to serve the region through our hubs in Dallas/Fort Worth and Los Angeles,” added Raja. “Our Chicago–Shanghai service is unprofitable and simply not sustainable in this high fuel cost environment and when we have opportunities to be successful in other markets.”

The last westbound flight to Shanghai will take place on October 26, 2018, and the last eastbound flight will be October 27. Customers booked on flights after these dates will be rebooked on other flights. Travelers can also still reach Shanghai from Dallas Fort Worth and LAX international airports with American Airlines.

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