AS is in the business of attracting and retaining new customers, and that's done through great service and low fares. They're not about to turn a blind eye to the East Coast, where new growth opportunities await, especially when the transcons from LAX and SFO are the crown jewels of the VX system, with long stage lengths that bring CASM down in the process.

AS didn't buy VX so they could turn off the Boston/New York/Washington end of that business - that would be insane!