DCA-PHX
 

Went to book a DCA-PHX flight today, and I see it no longer exists. (There are a couple of nonstops from IAD and BWI, but none from DCA). Did this end when US Air disappeared? I used to fly this route occasionally, and loads seemed pretty high -- though that is anecdotal on my part, and I do not have any statistics.

Are you sure about that? I put in a search for 12/7 to 12/11 and it showed up every day, although the number of flights per day seem to vary (or some are just sold out).

Funny, I was searching this exact route today. As of an hour ago, there were plenty of nonstops available in Jan/Feb.

AA does not fly IAD-PHX so I suspect the OP is getting IAD and DCA confused...

I can confirm DCA-PHX still exists, as I recently booked seats on AA694, departing DCA at 10:25am on 11/24, bound for PHX.

I fly this route often, and it's annoying that there are not as many flights as there used to be. I often have to fly in and out of BWI to get better flight times / pricing.

I'm on this flight on 11/14 it still exists

AA has 12 perimeter rule exemption slots operating as 2x Los Angeles, 3x Phoenix, 1x Las Vegas out of DCA.

Currently the flights are
694 10:25 AM 01:35 PM
408 07:00 AM 10:20 AM
583 05:05 PM 08:13 PM

The perimeter rule essentially restricts flying out of DCA to destinations over 1250 statute miles away by federal mandate. There are certain exceptions and American has a few, as shown above.

The number of daily flights (three) has been unchanged since HP operated them. They were originally awarded two to PHX in 2000, which was expanded to three.