American Airlines adds LAX routes from May 2027 and cuts two

American Airlines has announced changes to nine routes at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), adding one year-round and two seasonal services from 27 May 2027 and ending flights to Cleveland and Des Moines on 11 February. According to AirlineGeeks, the carrier confirmed the plans on Friday 13 November 2026. They affect passengers using American Airlines at its Californian hub.

New and returning routes

AirlineGeeks reports that Reno, Nevada, becomes a year-round route from 27 May 2027 using Embraer E175 aircraft. It says the service will operate three times weekly. The Points Guy instead says three times per day, so the sources disagree on frequency.

Seasonal flights to Bozeman, Montana (E175) and Grand Junction, Colorado (Bombardier CRJ700) will run from 27 May to 9 August. The Points Guy notes American last flew LAX to Grand Junction in 2021, citing Cirium data, so the route returns after five years. An American official told AirlineGeeks that Grand Junction is a "seasonal market addition" while Aspen/Pitkin County service is temporarily suspended because of construction work.

More flights on existing routes

According to AirlineGeeks, American will add frequencies on four routes:

• Denver: from twice to three times daily, 27 May to 9 August.
• Washington Dulles: from daily to twice daily from 27 May, using Boeing 737s.
• Las Vegas: from three to four daily from 6 April to 26 May, then five daily until 9 August.
• Seattle: from two to three daily from 6 April to 26 May, then four daily until 9 August.

The Points Guy says the second Dulles frequency complements American's existing Los Angeles service from Washington National.

Why American is investing in LAX

In a separate Points Guy report, chief commercial officer Nat Pieper said at the Skift Aviation Forum that American would "grow" and tailor its schedule to the local market. The airline has focused more on Sun Belt hubs since the pandemic, and Cirium data show it will fly about 32% fewer LAX flights this year than in 2019.

Pieper said growth will be gradual until LAX facilities are ready, expected in late 2028, when American will have access to 30 gates. The Points Guy says American's Terminal 5 area is a construction zone. It currently serves only four long-haul cities from LAX: London, Tokyo, Sydney and Auckland. Pieper cited a need for more destinations in Latin America, Europe and Asia, and pointed to partners Qantas and Japan Airlines.

Competition is intense. The Points Guy says Delta Air Lines is LAX's top carrier and plans its largest-ever schedule there next year, while United Airlines has said it intends to become number one and will add Osaka next year.

What this means for travellers

• Travellers from Cleveland or Des Moines lose nonstop American flights to LAX from 11 February; the sources do not say what alternatives are planned.
• Summer 2027 trips to Bozeman and Grand Junction become possible from 27 May to 9 August only. Grand Junction may suit those who would otherwise have used Aspen.
• Reno flights run all year, though the sources differ on whether that is three times weekly or daily.
• Extra Las Vegas and Seattle flights start in April, and more Denver and Dulles flights from late May, giving more timing choice.
• The sources do not mention any new long-haul routes; further growth is promised but not detailed.

Sources: AirlineGeeks; The Points Guy; The Points Guy.