American Airlines Rescheduled Or Slashed 31,000 Flights Since November

According to statistics from aviation analytics firm Cirium, American Airlines slashed its flight schedule again in November, slashing 16% of its flights.

Cirium data suggests that the largest reduction is between Chicago O’Hare and Dallas-Fort Worth, as well as between Boston and Philadelphia. According to Cirium statistics, American Airlines will cancel 109 flights from Boston to Philadelphia and 42 flights from Boston to Miami in November.

The airline said the move is “in line with our approach to network and schedule planning throughout the year.”

“Preliminary schedules are published 331 days in advance and then adjustments are made based on the program we intend to operate,” American said in a statement. “We are now loading schedule adjustments about 100 days in advance, which is in line with how we adjusted our schedules in 2019 before the pandemic.”

Last week, it was reported that airlines is cutting its flights by 2% in September and October.

American Airlines called the changes “active adjustments” to “shape our airline for the resources we have available and to create additional buffers throughout the remainder of our summer schedule.”

Airlines make modifications depending on criteria such as demand projections and personnel, according to Mike Arnott, an industry pundit and Cirium representative.

“For passengers, the impact may be negligible; instead of 15 flights a day, there may be nine flights between Dallas and Chicago, but with more bums in the seats,” Arnott said.

American is not the only American airline that has reduced its timetable. United Airlines recently reduced its Newark, New Jersey, timetable, and Delta reduced its summer schedule early in the season. This summer, airlines are dealing with flight cancellations and delays due to crew shortages, severe weather, and air traffic control delays. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg recently described the airline industry as “very fragile” and advocated stronger consumer safeguards for travelers.