MrAndy1369

I'm trying to look for a DCA-LAX flight that has a specific connection in JFK. I love how on DL, you can filter the connecting hub, but AA.com doesn't have that capacity... and does not even show JFK at all as a connecting option?

The only way, it seems, is to do a multi-city search, which is a pain to use and hopelessly old-fashioned, or to call (and incur a booking fee).

I tried different dates to no avail.

Is JFK a valid connecting city between DCA and LAX (and for that matter, SFO)? I believe it should, because it used to show JFK as a connecting point a while ago, from what I can remember.

asf-07

I've had luck sometimes using google flights to search for routing that I wanted. Maybe give that a try?

AlwaysAisle

I gave up on AA.com multicity search. Recently I tried to book JFK-HND-BKK-JFK routing and AA.com multicity search will not show HND-BKK non-stop JL flights and show connections only, some choices were HND-SFO-HKG-BKK ?????

I used Google Flights and purchased via AA.com.

Antarius

It is, although the 321T flights are at a premium, so I guess sometimes they don't get displayed.

I use google flights (even there I sometimes need to specify DCA-->JFK-->LAX/SFO to force it to look for the transcon. The vast majority of flight are thru PHL or CLT.

MrAndy1369

Google Flights is a good solution...for people who know that it exists.

But, I think this is a terrible oversight by AA. They're losing premium customer revenue. Let's say Customer A wants a DCA-SFO flight, with a connection in JFK in paid F/J, specifically for the lounge access and upgraded transcontinental service. They search, no DCA-SFO flights with a connection in JFK, so (if they don't know about Google Flights, or don't want to bother using them or calling) move on to DL, which is incredibly easy to find JFK connections, and book premium travel on DL.

Then, there's Customer B, who doesn't find any DCA-LAX flights with JFK and paid F options, call, and are angered to discover there's a $25 call booking fee, and move their business elsewhere.

I just don't understand why AA doesn't offer the option to connect in JFK when doing a search on their website. Simply searching for DCA-LAX shows the nonstops, then connections in PHL, CLT, ORD, DFW, and PHX. Nothing in JFK. Is JFK not a valid connecting point? Or is it because of the complexity of 3-class F and the other options only consisting of 2-class F that makes AA not show JFK as an option?

Edit: I tried a search way later, in October, in case it was just a matter of availability this summer, but still no JFK option then.

Antarius

OP - My speculation is

1. Its is a site issue. The search on AA.com is generally terrible.
2. Its a price issue. The Tcon is designed for O&D traffic. While there may be a few who specifically choose it or know enough to choose it for a connection (like us FTers), the majority book on price. The cheapest options, even in F, are usually thru their mega hubs as there is more capacity. As AA wants to be competing on price with DL and UA and B6, this is what they show.

MrAndy1369

Well, DL shows connecting options in JFK, in addition to their other hubs, when doing a DCA-LAX/SFO search, so this is not competitive by AA, IMHO.

Also, just to clarify – this is not a multicity thread. I'm focusing specifically on connecting, with a desired connection through JFK.

3Cforme

So, check the routing rules for the highest fare you're willing to pay.

iadisgreat

Checking expertflyer for DCA-LAX, I do not believe there is a single fare that allows for a single connection that is JFK. You would have to break the fare (via multicity) to make it happen.

C17PSGR

While JFK seems like a logical connection, looks like AA may be trying to minimize connections through there.

DL might perceive that they have less demand on the LAX-JFK route and allow connections.

aaupgrade

I see NYC as a valid connection in EF.

JonNYC

Travel

Agent

iadisgreat

I probably read it wrong, but I don't see NYC as a single connection between DCA and LAX as allowed, as I mentioned. Seems to allow NYC-CHI/DFW-LAX though which would be a double connection from DCA.

Maybe there are coach fares? I only searched premium.

ETA - Hmm, I guess by my own logic it wouldn't allow a single connection via CLT which I've definitely seen sold before. My bad, perhaps they just don't want to sell it via AA.com through JFK.

dkc192

I have noticed the same for the BOS-LAX/SFO routes. Seems like AA prefers to keep the ex-JFK transcons largely for O&D and international connections that are not possible through any other hub (e.g. SFO-JFK-ZRH), and funnel all other domestic/international connections through ORD, CLT, and the like.

Ceasy

pretty sure there was another thread on this a while ago - indeed no more domestic connections to transcon's through JFK unless "forced" (i.e. two tickets)