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American Airlines adds international routes on XLR planes
CNBC • • business
Key Points:
- American Airlines will add seven new international routes to its 2027 schedule, many operated with Airbus A321XLR planes, focusing on smaller European cities from Philadelphia and New York hubs.
- New routes include flights from Charlotte to Barcelona, Chicago to Tokyo, and multiple flights from New York and Philadelphia to European destinations such as Amsterdam, Nice, Porto, Reykjavik, and Vienna.
- The airline will also increase service between JFK and London Heathrow with a fourth daily flight on a Boeing 787-9 starting March 28, 2027.
- The Airbus A321XLR, known for its extra long range and cost efficiency, allows American to serve less trafficked routes that are not viable for larger widebody aircraft.
- This expansion aligns with American's strategy to boost international service, which currently represents about 20% of its flying, aiming to close the profit gap with rivals United and Delta.
