Last edit by: IADCAflyer
Speculation: New Routes, Hubs, Flights (2017 Onward)
Because there is community interest in having a purely speculative discussion about whether other airports will pop up to become focus cities or hubs, new routes, etc. the following new thread has been amalgamated on this topic.Note:
Going: 9 A330-300, ER190, some older 757-200 and 8 767-300ER (leaving 17), MD-80
Coming: Remainder of 16 Boeing 26 787-8, 22 Boeing 787-9 (began later 2016). A320 family - 100 A321neo, and B737-800 (100 737-MAX8) aircraft.
See Cranky Flier article on 2016 fleet changes, AA-HP-US. Link.
Also see: HELP DESK: General questions about aircraft equipment, fleet, seats, IFE, etc.
Speculation fun time: Will xxx be the next AA focus city / hub? (consolidated)
Obsolete posts from 2015 on have been moved to ARCHIVE: Speculation: Possible Routes (Flights) and Hubs, Discussion - 2015 on
All posts prior to 2015 have been moved here: ARCHIVE: Routes (Flights) and Hubs (Speculation, News and Discussion)
Speculation: Possible Routes (Flights) and Hubs, Discussion - (2017 on)
#961
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Usually in SAN or Central Europe.
Programs: AA:EXP/1MM. Accor/Radisson:Silver; HH:Gold; ICH:Plt Amb.
Posts: 22,307
Fair. Although, few if any are going to Naples; most are going in buses to Pompei and the Amalfi Coast
. But, the idea of even seasonal service to NAP or FLP and none to BRU and only one flight to AMS still doesn't make sense to me. But, neither did BUD or PRG. I don't have any inside knowledge, but the last two destinations seemed to take a play from DL's dart board approach to new destinations as opposed to AA's more conservative approach.
![Big Grin](https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif)
#962
Join Date: Jun 2018
Posts: 153
EW only serves tourist-heavy destinations from DUS, like JFK, MIA & RSW - without offering connections in the U.S.!
Keeping that in mind, there should be enough potential for another route, aimed at business travelers & cargo shippers, besides DL's ATL-flight.
#963
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: PHX
Programs: AA EXP, Hyatt Something-ist, Bombay Sapphire
Posts: 69
Few months ago I heard a rumor from PHX based flight crew that BA was pulling out of PHX. Presumably, that would be replaced by AA metal to LHR. Then came the BA (contract) lounge's lease is expiring, and airport is looking for a new operator.
With the deferred retirement of the A333's might leave a little slack in the wide body fleet (LHR-PHX-HNL turn?). Reading JonNYC's tweet tonight about premium seat overcapacity makes a good point too.
Plausible or wishful thinking?
With the deferred retirement of the A333's might leave a little slack in the wide body fleet (LHR-PHX-HNL turn?). Reading JonNYC's tweet tonight about premium seat overcapacity makes a good point too.
#964
Join Date: May 2011
Location: DFW
Programs: AA EXP, LT Gold
Posts: 3,148
I’m almost positive the rumor JonNYC is discussing here will happen. Already did in MIA, and AA mgmt has been talking around this in many calls lately.
Will be good for some, bad for some. I, personally, am looking forward to better AA access to points in Europe, if that means more BA metal to make it happen.
Will be good for some, bad for some. I, personally, am looking forward to better AA access to points in Europe, if that means more BA metal to make it happen.
#965
FlyerTalk Evangelist
![IHG Contributor Badge](/forum/products/hotel-reviews/img/badges/ihgcontributor.png)
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: PHX & AGP
Programs: AA Lifetime PLT, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, Hilton Gold
Posts: 11,456
I’m almost positive the rumor JonNYC is discussing here will happen. Already did in MIA, and AA mgmt has been talking around this in many calls lately.
Will be good for some, bad for some. I, personally, am looking forward to better AA access to points in Europe, if that means more BA metal to make it happen.
Will be good for some, bad for some. I, personally, am looking forward to better AA access to points in Europe, if that means more BA metal to make it happen.
#966
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: PHL
Programs: AA
Posts: 343
Very curious as to what this means for PHL. AA connected the dots with several new flights this summer that connect to the transatlantic bank, as well as beefed up service to LAX and SFO with A332s. However, Terminal A-West is now completely full at peak with no more room for additional flights unless they are spaced out a bit more.
Even more secondary Europe from PHL?
Even more secondary Europe from PHL?
#967
Join Date: Dec 2000
Location: Philadelphia
Posts: 2,508
Very curious as to what this means for PHL. AA connected the dots with several new flights this summer that connect to the transatlantic bank, as well as beefed up service to LAX and SFO with A332s. However, Terminal A-West is now completely full at peak with no more room for additional flights unless they are spaced out a bit more.
Even more secondary Europe from PHL?
Even more secondary Europe from PHL?
#968
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2001
Programs: DL 1 million, AA 1 mil, HH lapsed Diamond, Marriott Plat
Posts: 28,190
If you're complaining about BA fuel surcharges you're thinking award tickets. 'Let's improve saver award availability,' said no Parker sycophant ever.
#969
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Austin
Posts: 4,629
True. If people are hoping even for the same amount of award availability if the route switches to AA then they are fooling themselves.
#970
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: PIT
Posts: 759
AA has 3 hardstand gates West of A that they can use (H1-H3) although it is not a fun option. What they really should do if they want to add more TATL from PHL is 1) Make the remaining Terminal A gates FIS-accessible for narrowbodies from the Caribbean, 2) switch the LAX/SFO flights to 752/321neos with lie-flats (I know there is no official plan for the neos to get them, but I believe a subfleet of them eventually will), and 3) put in 2 distinct TATL banks and try to get a handful of flights to arrive after the first bank departs around 5-6pm. Not easy, but should be doable, especially from leisure destinations.
#971
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Usually in SAN or Central Europe.
Programs: AA:EXP/1MM. Accor/Radisson:Silver; HH:Gold; ICH:Plt Amb.
Posts: 22,307
IIRC, there were a couple of gates at PHL (in either B or C) which could handle the 762s. Couldn't those gates also handle the 763s? As for flight banking and gate space... there could easily be 3 banks of TATL flights at PHL: 6pm/8pm/10pm. Even the longer flights to FCO and ATH, for example, could depart around 4pm. Moreover, this is really only an issue in the peak summer months.
#972
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: DCA/IAD/WAS
Programs: MAR AMB, WOH Explorist, AA EXP, UA 2P
Posts: 2,138
IIRC, there were a couple of gates at PHL (in either B or C) which could handle the 762s. Couldn't those gates also handle the 763s? As for flight banking and gate space... there could easily be 3 banks of TATL flights at PHL: 6pm/8pm/10pm. Even the longer flights to FCO and ATH, for example, could depart around 4pm. Moreover, this is really only an issue in the peak summer months.
Who's connecting to those 4 pm flights?
#973
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Usually in SAN or Central Europe.
Programs: AA:EXP/1MM. Accor/Radisson:Silver; HH:Gold; ICH:Plt Amb.
Posts: 22,307
#974
Join Date: May 2009
Location: PHL
Posts: 2,842
My understanding is that gate space at PHL is at a premium for the arriving TA flights between noon and 4pm, especially between 2:30-4:30. I am not aware of immediate issues for the departing banks with a need to board using remote stands
#975
Join Date: May 2007
Programs: UA 1K, Hyatt Globalist
Posts: 5,459
This is my understanding as well. That said, AA could work around this by scheduling a ~10-11pm departure bank to closer European destinations (LIS, MAD, etc.) and having the corresponding planes turn around for an afternoon departure from Europe and early evening arrival back into PHL, after the present 2-4pm rush.