American Airlines Expands Operation at Los Angeles

American Airlines is significantly expanding service from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) this year, further strengthening one of its key hubs and providing more access for customers across its growing global network. The US major, currently in merger discussions with US Airways, was the second largest operator at the major US hub airport with a 17.2 per cent share of seat capacity in 2012, after being overtaken by United Airlines following its merger with Continental Airlines.

In addition to American’s new service between Los Angeles and Raleigh/Durham, N.C., which began on April 2, American has confirmed it will begin services to Eugene, Ore. and Redmond, Ore. from June 12, 2013 in partnership with SkyWest Airlines; Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport in Bentonville, Ark., from August 27, 2013 under American Eagle Airlines brand and in its own right to Pittsburgh, Pa., Indianapolis, Ind., Columbus, Ohio, and Hartford, Conn., from the same date.

In addition earlier this year the US major filed an application with the US Department of Transportation for the right to fly additional United States – Brazil frequencies beginning in 2013. Pending government approval, American intends to use these frequencies to add one new daily round trip service from its Los Angeles hub to Sao Paulo from November 21, 2013 expanding the airline’s Latin American network footprint. It currently offers more than 900 weekly flights to 49 cities throughout Latin America, including Mexico, Central and South America.

“Our Los Angeles hub plays a vital role in our domestic and international network strategy,” said Virasb Vahidi, chief commercial officer, American Airlines. “Together with our oneworld alliance partners, we offer customers seamless access to the most important business and leisure travel destinations across the globe from Los Angeles International Airport.”

With these new markets, American will serve 51 domestic and international destinations from its Los Angeles hub. And its passengers have access to even more global destinations through partners British Airways, Iberia, Qantas, Japan Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Cathay Pacific and LAN Airlines, all of which offer connections from Los Angeles. In addition, American’s codeshare relationship with Alaska Airlines provides customers with enhanced service to key destinations along the US West Coast.

Further demonstrating its commitment to the Los Angeles market, American will be deploying its brand new 777-300ER aircraft on its route between Los Angeles and London Heathrow from June this year. American was the first US airline to order and take delivery of the state-of-the-art Boeing 777-300ER and intends to take delivery of 20 of the aircraft over the next few years.

“Los Angeles’ position as both a premier business and tourist destination requires accessibility to travelers across the US and around the globe,” said Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa. “By expanding its network out of Los Angeles International Airport, American Airlines affirms its commitment to serving the Los Angeles area and helps solidify the city’s role as both a domestic and international travel hub.”

In the table below we look in greater detail at capacity from Los Angeles International Airport. As highlighted above, American was the second largest carrier at the facility in 2012 by seat capacity behind its rival United Airlines. Budget carrier Southwest Airlines, Delta Air Lines and Virgin America complete the top five operators list. American’s capacity increase in 2013 will follow a 6.4 per cent growth in 2012, but it is Virgin America and Delta Air Lines that have made the largest impact in the Los Angeles market over the past five years with capacity up 915.8 per cent and 36.6 per cent, respectively.