Are you sure about that 105 number? Even on a peak summer day like today (Aug 25), I see only 90 flights out of JFK on AA (including Envoy). Winter usually doesnt see an increase in number of flights...sure some seasonal Caribbean (e.g., SXM) and Ski destinations come back for winter but these additions are offset by reductions elsewhere (e.g., JFK-SAN and SEA go back to 1x daily from 2x during the summer).

Why would AA cut LGA to DCA? AA seems to like their "shuttle" fights (LGA to BOS, BOS to DCA, LGA to DCA, etc)

That wasn't worded amazingly, I meant that they will likely cut service on JFK routes that are also served by LGA. LGA-YYZ wouldn't go, but JFK-YYZ may.

I did not count all 105 flights, but that is the number that AA reported. They release the number of flights and number of destinations served for each hub every quarter.

This is a tremendous illustration of the difference a one-letter word can make -- "not given" vs. "not a given". :)

This makes sense -- who wants to trek to JFK if you're going to/from NYC -- but then what does AA do with all of its slots that are used for these routes and the international routes that were cut?

I'm actually kind of worried LGA-YYZ will go. AA is really not very competitive on this route.

Based on what?

Well, its all ER4 service versus mainline 737/320-family on Westjet and Air Canada. Also frequencies are poorer.

Increase hub frequencies to ORD & DFW, which have a combined 3 daily flights from JFK. Any extras could also be sold or swapped. DL flies DCA-MSN/LEX/OMA nonstop, and with them wanting to grow at JFK and DCA not being a DL hub, I'm sure they could agree to some sort of slot swap deal.

Unfortunately I know that Republic owns the slots Delta Connection is using for the OMA and MSN flights. They got them back when the bought Midwest Airlines.

Making it far cheaper to run, thus my question above.

I've been (and booked) incredibly discounted fares on routes like PHL-LGA-YYZ, some with obnoxiously long layovers at LGA. This is a pretty clear indication that AA is routing very cheap connecting fares on LGA-YYZ. It wouldn't surprise me if it's toast at some point.

I don't know much obviously. Just found there to not be very few elites the few times I've flown AA on LGA-YYZ recently, which I assume means it's generally a lower yielding crowd. Schedule/aircraft really don't compete well against AC/WS/PD. And the fares on LGA-YYZ are now on average lower than anything I remember seeing in the past 10 years.

Appreciate the thoughtful replies! I'l have to ask about that one.