American Airlines made this announcement:

American Airlines is utilizing its currently grounded passenger aircraft to move cargo between the United States and Europe, ensuring the world’s goods continue to get where they need to go.

The first cargo-only flight departs from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) on March 20, landing at Frankfurt Airport (FRA) on March 21. The Boeing 777-300 will operate two round trips between DFW and FRA over the course of four days, carrying only cargo and necessary flight personnel. This is the first scheduled cargo-only flight since 1984 when American retired the last of its Boeing 747 freighters.

The 777-300 has 14 cargo positions for large pallets and can carry more than 100,000 pounds. The four scheduled flights this weekend are expected to be booked to capacity and transport medical supplies, mail for active U.S. military, telecommunications equipment and electronics that will support people working from home, and e-commerce packages. The flights provide much-needed cargo capacity for many of the airline’s regular cargo customers, allowing them to continue operating in this challenging environment.

Air cargo has always played a key role in times of crisis, delivering lifesaving medical supplies and materials to keep the world’s infrastructure intact. In the face of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, this role has never been more important as the world relies more on e-commerce to support basic needs during quarantines and social distancing. The airlines’ role is deemed a critical infrastructure industry by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Cargo-only flights, while not carrying customers, continue to require a group effort from American’s team members across every function. From the first call to a customer to the last cargo offloaded from the plane, team members and vendor partners contribute to these efforts.

Domestically, American continues to carry cargo on all of its planes. The smaller narrowbody aircraft are especially vital in supporting the world’s economy, delivering medicine and e-commerce goods. This week the airline also transported its first shipment of COVID-19 test kits from Raleigh-Durham International Airport to Chicago O’Hare Airport. American continues to work to provide solutions for our customers and world governments to protect the public health and keep the global economy moving during this time of need.

In other news, American also made this announcement:

As coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to impact every corner of our world, American Airlines is temporarily closing and consolidating its premium clubs and lounges in direct response to changes in demand and government mandate.

• American is consolidating Admirals Club lounges in airport locations where multiple clubs exist. Changes made to alcohol service and food being consumed outside of the lounges have been made to meet government mandate.
• Beginning Friday, March 20, Flagship First Dining and Flagship Lounges will temporarily close, as American has reduced international travel by more than 75% in response to demand.

Flagship Lounges

Flagship Lounges in Chicago (ORD), Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), Los Angeles (LAX) and Miami (MIA) will be closed in response to significantly reduced international demand and reduced international flying. The Flagship Lounge at New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) will temporarily covert to Admirals Club service. Admirals Club guests will be able to access the lounge for Admirals Club grab-and-go service.

Flagship First Dining at DFW, LAX, MIA and JFK will also close. Those guests will be welcomed into Admirals Club lounges.

Domestic changes, as of 8:30 p.m. Central include:

*Note all times are local

Atlanta (ATL)
Hours have been reduced in response to demand. Operating hours are now 6 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Austin, Texas (AUS)
Hours have been reduced in response to demand. Operating hours are now 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Per government mandate, all food will be served to-go and may be consumed on the premises.

Boston (BOS)
Hours have been reduced in response to demand. Operating hours are now 5 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Per government mandate, alcohol will not be served to guests during this time. All food will be served to-go and may be consumed on the premises.

Charlotte, North Carolina (CLT)
The Admirals Club at Concourse B will temporarily close. The Admirals Club at Concourse C will operate under the reduced hours of 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Per government mandate, alcohol will not be served to guests during this time. All food will be grab-and-go and cannot be consumed on the premises.

Chicago (ORD)
The Flagship Lounge will close temporarily. Admirals Club lounges located in Concourse G and Concourse L are temporarily closed. The Admirals Club in Concourse H/K will remain open, but with the reduced hours of 5 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW)
Flagship First Dining and Flagship Lounge in Terminal D and the Admirals Club in Terminal B will temporarily close. The Admirals Club lounge in Terminal E is temporarily closed. Admirals Club lounges in terminals A, C and D will remain open.

• Terminal A: 5 a.m.–9 p.m.
• Terminal C: 4 a.m.–9 p.m.
• Terminal D: 5 a.m.–10:15 p.m. (no change)

Denver (DEN)
The Admirals Club will operate from 6 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Houston (IAH)
The Admirals Club will operate from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Per government mandate, all food will be grab-and-go and cannot be consumed on the premises.

Los Angeles (LAX)
Flagship First Dining and Flagship Lounge will be temporarily closed. The Admirals Club in Terminal 5 and the Eagle Regional Terminal are temporarily closed. Guests can continue to use the Admirals Club lounge at Terminal 4 from 4 a.m. to midnight.

Miami (MIA)
Flagship First Dining and Flagship Lounge will be temporarily closed. The Admirals Club located at Gate D15 is temporarily closed. Guests will be welcomed at the Gate D30 Admirals Club from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Per government mandate, alcohol will not be served to guests during this time.

Nashville (BNA)
The Admirals Club will operate from 6:45 a.m. to 6:45 p.m.

Newark, New Jersey (EWR)
The Admirals Club will operate from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Per government mandate, alcohol will not be served to guests during this time. All food will be grab-and-go and cannot be consumed on the premises.

New York (JFK)
The Admirals Club located near Gate 42 is temporarily closed. The Flagship Lounge near Gate 12 will temporarily be converted to Admirals Club service and operate from 4 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Per government mandate, alcohol will not be served. All food will be grab-and-go and cannot be consumed on the premises.

To follow government mandate closing all restaurants, Flagship First Dining will be closed.

New York (LGA)
Operating hours will be 5 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Per government mandate, alcohol will not be served to guests during this time. All food will be grab-and-go and cannot be consumed on the premises.

The Service Center is temporarily closed. Guests can continue to utilize the Admirals Club in Concourse D.

Orange County, California (SNA)
The Admirals Club will operate from 5:45 a.m. to 5 p.m. Per government mandate, all food will be served as to-go items and cannot be consumed on the premises.

Orlando, Florida (MCO)
The Admirals Club will operate from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Per government mandate, alcohol will not be served to guests during this time.

Philadelphia (PHL)
The Admirals Club at Terminal A and Terminal F will be temporarily closed. The Terminal B/C Admirals Club will remain open with reduced operating hours, 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. Per government mandate, alcohol will not be served to guests during this time. All food will be served as to-go items and may be consumed on the premises.

Phoenix (PHX)
The Admirals Club located near Gate B5 will be temporarily closed, and guests will be welcomed to Admirals Club lounges located near Gate A7 from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Gate A19 from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. Per government mandate, all food will be served to-go and may be consumed on the premises.

Pittsburgh (PIT)
The Admirals Club will operate from 6 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Per government mandate, alcohol will not be served to guests during this time. All food will be served as to-go items and cannot be consumed on the premises.

Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina (RDU)
The Admirals Club will operate from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Per government mandate, alcohol will not be served to guests during this time. All food will be grab-and-go and cannot be consumed on the premises.

St. Louis (STL)
The Admirals Club will operate from 6 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

San Diego (SAN)
The Airspace Lounge will temporarily close beginning Friday, March 20, at 7 p.m.

San Francisco (SFO)
The Admirals Club will operate from 5 a.m. to midnight. Per government mandate, all food will be prepackaged and may be consumed on the premises.

Tampa, Florida (TPA)
The Admirals Club will operate from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

Washington (DCA)
The Admirals Club at Terminal B will temporarily close. The Admirals Club at Terminal C will operate from 5:30 a.m. to 9 p.m.

International temporary changes

Admirals Club lounges in Paris (CDG), Rio de Janeiro (GIG), Buenos Aires (EZE) and São Paulo (GRU) are closed. The Tokyo Narita Japan (NRT) Admirals Club was previously scheduled to permanently close at the end of March.

Mexico City (MEX)
The Admirals Club will operate from 7 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.

Toronto (YYZ)
The Admirals Club will operate from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Friday and from 5:15 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday.

London (LHR)
The Arrivals lounge hours have been temporarily reduced. The International First Class Lounge will be closed temporarily. Flagship guests will be welcomed into the Admirals Club and will be offered a complimentary menu.

Above Copyright Photo: American Airlines Boeing 777-323 ER N717AN (msn 31543) PAE (Nick Dean). Image: 949429.

American Airlines aircraft slide show:

American will add three new destinations to its network with the introduction of service between Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) and TXL, BLQ and DBV next summer. These seasonal flights will be operated June through September on Boeing 767 aircraft, featuring lie-flat business class seats, Cole Haan amenity kits and chef-designed meals with award-winning wines.

“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.”

This summer, American launched seasonal service from PHL to Budapest Ferenc Liszt International Airport (BUD) in Hungary and Vaclav Havel Airport Prague (PRG) in the Czech Republic, as well as from ORD to Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) in Italy and from Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to Keflavik International Airport (KEF) in Iceland, all of which will operate through the end of October and return in 2019.

American will also add a new nonstop flight from Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) in Phoenix to LHR, complementing existing service from PHX provided by Atlantic Joint Business partner British Airways. With the addition of American’s PHX–LHR service, American and British Airways together will operate more than 70 flights per day to London from North America.

“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.”

Atlantic Joint Business partner Finnair has also announced new service between Helsinki Airport (HEL) and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), which will begin March 31.

American’s new flights will be available for sale Aug. 27.

2019 additions:

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American will remove nonstop ORD–PVG service from its schedule in October and seek a dormancy waiver from the DOT to permit a return to the market once conditions improve. The last westbound flight will be Oct. 26 and the last eastbound flight will be Oct. 27. Customers holding reservations after these dates will be reaccommodated on other flights and can continue to reach PVG directly through American’s hubs at DFW and LAX and from ORD via NRT in conjunction with Pacific Joint Business partner Japan Airlines (JAL).

“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.”

American will also reduce its ORD–NRT service from daily to three days per week starting Dec. 18. Together, American and JAL will continue to provide nonstop service from ORD to NRT 10 times per week. During the peak summer season between June and August, JAL will increase its service on the route so that combined, the carriers offer twice-daily service that captures peak demand out of Tokyo.

“These adjustments to our Asia service are necessary in this high fuel cost environment, but we remain committed to the network we’ve worked hard to build,” added Raja. “As with Shanghai, American will continue to serve Tokyo through our hubs in Dallas/Fort Worth and Los Angeles.”

Top Copyright Photo: American Airlines Boeing 777-323 ER N718AN (msn 41665) LHR (SPA). Image: 927356.

American Airlines aircraft slide show:

American Airlines customers will have new options to escape the cold with more seasonal and year-round flights to the Caribbean and Hawaii starting this winter. An overview of these new flights is as follows:

• From ORD: Daily winter seasonal service to HNL and four new routes to the Caribbean: AUA, GCM, NAS, PLS
• From MIA: Seven additional daily frequencies to the Caribbean and one new route to the Caribbean: BGI, CUR, FPO, POP, POS, SDQ, UVF and new route SVD
• From CLT: Two new routes to the Caribbean: ELH, MHH
• From DFW: One new route to the Caribbean: AUA

Additionally, American will move one of its Miami International Airport (MIA)–London Heathrow Airport (LHR) flights and instead operate a Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)–LHR frequency. Through its Atlantic Joint Business, British Airways will add a third frequency between MIA and LHR.

Finally, American will seek a dormancy waiver from the U.S. Department of Transportation to discontinue its service between Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Beijing Capital International Airport (PEK). The airline also announced it plans to remove the nonstop ORD–PEK service from its schedule in October.

American is the first U.S. carrier to serve St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVD) with the introduction of year-round Saturday service from MIA. American’s sun-seeking customers will also have more opportunities to reach their favorite Caribbean destinations, including new flights to Aruba (AUA) from ORD and DFW; to Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands (GCM); Nassau, The Bahamas (NAS); and Providenciales, Turks and Caicos (PLS) from ORD. Customers will also gain new access to Eleuthera (ELH) and Marsh Harbour (MHH) in The Bahamas from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT). In addition, American will add an extra frequency from MIA to seven Caribbean destinations it currently serves today.

Beginning this winter, American will also introduce new winter seasonal nonstop service to Honolulu (HNL) from ORD on a Boeing 787-8.

New Routes

*Subject to change

New Frequencies

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American and joint business partner British Airways together will provide more capacity to their LHR hub from American’s hubs at DFW and MIA. Beginning Oct. 28, American will move one of its two MIA–LHR flights to DFW–LHR using a Boeing 777-300ER, and British Airways will add its third MIA–LHR frequency using a Boeing 747-400.

“Customers across Europe will benefit from larger-capacity aircraft between LHR and MIA, and the DFW–LHR frequency will continue to provide great connecting opportunities through American’s centrally located hub,” said Vasu Raja, Vice President of Network & Schedule Planning. “By better leveraging the networks of our joint business partners we are laying the foundation for American to grow its long-haul international network more profitably in the years ahead.”

Simon Brooks, British Airways’ Senior Vice President of Sales for North America, said, “We are thrilled to have this partnership with American Airlines for over seven years now. We continually work with our joint business partners to ensure customers have the best travel experience, and this schedule change delivers on our promise to provide more options.”

Customers will continue to choose to fly on either American or British Airways through codeshare on all DFW–LHR and MIA–LHR flights as part of the joint business.

New Frequencies

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American will seek a dormancy waiver from the U.S. Department of Transportation for its service between ORD and PEK, and plans to remove the nonstop ORD–PEK service from its schedule in October. The last westbound flight will be Oct. 20 and the last eastbound flight will be Oct. 22. Customers already holding reservations after these dates will be reaccommodated on other flights, and can continue to reach PEK through American’s hubs at DFW and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). American intends to seek access to operate services at Beijing’s new international airport when it opens next year.

“American is operating more seats from Chicago this summer than in the past 10 years, and we are excited to continue to grow in this important hub,” said Raja. “However the current fare environment severely limits our ability to successfully compete between Chicago and Beijing. We remain committed to China and anticipate that moving to the new Beijing airport in the future will improve the viability of the route through the additional connectivity in conjunction with our codeshare relationship with China Southern in the long run.”

Copyright Photo: American Airlines Boeing 777-323 ER N732AN (msn 31549) PAE (Nick Dean). Image: 941261.

American Airlines aircraft slide show: