When I was looking through the new updated domestic schedule for November ( 5 November - 30 November ) which was recently published, I have realized that there are significant changes on transcontinental flights.

I am reporting this before any aviation website so it should be considered as an ISTFlyer exclusive.
Note: This analysis is a courtesy from me to FlyerTalk members and visitors

Route 1: New York JFK to Los Angeles

It's down to two daily 777-200ER flights. No more A321T aircraft on this route. No Flagship First would be offered in this route temporarily after 5 November.

The new schedule looks like;

AA 1 JFK LAX 9:00 12:21 77E
AA 3 JFK LAX 18:00 21:19 77E

AA 2 LAX JFK 08:30 16:47 77E
AA 4 LAX JFK 21:35 05:45+1 77E

Competitors: UA from EWR - 4 daily service ( 2 x 757; 2 x 787 )
B6 from JFK/EWR - 5 to 9 daily service ( All A321Mint - Service varies by day )
DL from JFK - 5 daily service ( All service with 767 )

* Alaska Airlines is not added to the list as they are not considering this route as premium transcontinental.

Route 2: New York JFK to San Fransisco

It's down to single daily with the Airbus A321T with the only eastbound option being a red-eye. Plus no service on 26 November and 27 November in both directions. Flagship First is offered on this route.

AA 76 JFK SFO 07:30 11:07 321T
AA 276 SFO JFK 21:27 06:00+1 A321T


Competitors: UA from EWR - 5 daily service ( Mixture of 757, 777, 787 )
B6 from JFK/EWR - 3 to 4 daily service ( All A321Mint - Service varies by day but 1 daily EWR, 2-3 daily JFK)
DL from JFK - 2-3 daily service ( All service with 757; Service varies by day )

* Alaska Airlines is not added to the list as they are not considering this route as premium transcontinental.

Route 3: Miami to Los Angeles

Instead of one premium transcontinental flight on this route, two premium transcontinental flights would be offered daily. Both flights with the Boeing 777-300ER and Flagship First being sold.

Note: Only premium transcontinental services are covered here. An additional 3 daily mainline domestic service is available in this route.

AA 1235 MIA LAX 10:30 13:06 77W
AA 2289 MIA LAX 19:22 22:05 77W

AA 1782 LAX MIA 00:10 07:50 77W
AA 1473 LAX MIA 09:00 16:44 77W

Competitors: AA has no direct competitors on this route.

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Overview of this post:

- AA does only have one 321T flight daily in November. They currently have 17 A321T in their fleet and unless they are assigned to other routes, they would be grounded.
- Instead of a flexible schedule on the JFK-LAX route vv., AA has decided to consolidate flights and operate with a wide-body and eliminate Flagship First for a while.
- It's understandable that LAX-MIA is increased as there is a high demand for premium travel towards Florida so they added an additional red-eye flight on the LAX-MIA route ( + subsequently a return from MIA).
- AA does not expect much from the JFK-SFO route. I know many people who avoid red-eyes as they could not sleep onboard planes. AA has now lost these customers on this route unless they are willing to make a connection somewhere.
- They might start partnering with JetBlue as earlier this month or next month. Both JetBlue and American has decreased the number of NYC-LAX & NYC-SFO flights compared to October. This might be a sign.
- AA might introduce domestic Premium Economy like United, Delta; although PE seats on 777's are still marketed as MCE.

So what could be asked:

- Did AA gave hope from their premium transcontinental routes and would start leaning towards their other hub operations such as DFW, CLT & PHL?
- Did the AA & B6 partnership led to a decrease in ex-JFK transcontinental route.
- What is AA planning to do with their 16 grounded Airbus A321T's in November. It is a sign of early-phase out; reconfiguration, retrofit; etc... or is it AA planning to add more premium transcontinental routes across the US or maybe some flights to Hawaii?
- How is AA planning to compete with UA and DL on ex-NYC routes, where Delta and United offer a more flexible schedule for travelers?

Maybe more questions may be asked upon this analysis, although these were what came to my mind when I was creating this thread.