American seeks LA-Shanghai route

[FA Mikey]

American Airlines is seeking government approval to operate flights between Los Angeles and Shanghai beginning next year.

The airline said Friday it applied to the U.S. Department of Transportation for authority to launch nonstop service April 5.

full story here

 

[FWAAA]

Given how many unused China frequencies there are, this is a slam-dunk.

 

[damajagua]

Given how many unused China frequencies there are, this is a slam-dunk.

I wonder where is AA getting the aircraft to fly this route?
Will they be pulling out of another market or downgrading equipment?

 

[MAH4546]

I wonder where is AA getting the aircraft to fly this route?
Will they be pulling out of another market or downgrading equipment?

AA has the equivalent of five unused 777s. This can be used to open three new routes to Asia, since each requires 1.5 planes.

JFK-HND, LAX-PVG, and a third one that should be announced in December.

 

[Emigrant]

AA has the equivalent of five unused 777s. This can be used to open three new routes to Asia, since each requires 1.5 planes.

JFK-HND, LAX-PVG, and a third one that should be announced in December.

Hi Mark,

You recently posted about possible new European routes and one (1) SA and one (1) MIA route, you did not mention anything about China. Is this a surprise?
THX

 

[Hopeful]

Given how many unused China frequencies there are, this is a slam-dunk.

Now that AA is behind the Asian Rim 8 ball, there's no reason why AA should not win this award hands down.
the UA/CO and DL/NW combos dwarf AA's Pacific/Asian presence.

 

[damajagua]

Any idea what the other Asian route might be?

 

[MAH4546]

Hi Mark,

You recently posted about possible new European routes and one (1) SA and one (1) MIA route, you did not mention anything about China. Is this a surprise?
THX

No, its not a surprise. This has been expected since the JAL ATI was signed and China Eastern went to Skyteam.

Any idea what the other Asian route might be?

Dallas-Seoul, as long as the pilots don't throw a fit.

 

[FA Mikey]

American Airlines, a founding member of the oneworld® Alliance, today issued the following statement:

"We are very pleased that the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) has granted us the authority and frequencies needed to begin new service between Los Angeles and Shanghai, the largest market for travel between the United States and China that is not presently served by a U.S. airline. These new flights will enrich American's customer service offering to China and will expand American's schedule at Los Angeles International Airport, one of its five cornerstone cities.

"We thank DOT officials for their expedited review of our request and we look forward to launching these new daily flights on April 5 using 247-seat Boeing 777 aircraft, which feature 16 First Class, 37 Business Class and 194 Economy Class seats.

full story here

 

[azdryheat]

Any idea the time of day these are going to operate?

 

[FWAAA]

Any idea the time of day these are going to operate?

In its application, AA suggested LAX-PVG departing at 1205 and arriving PVG at 1635; the return was suggested departing PVG at 1835 and arriving LAX sameday at 1525. Pretty typical for most Asian flights.

 

[azdryheat]

Hopefully that is the case. The ORD-PEK flights have terrible departure/arrival times.

 

[FWAAA]

As far as I know, that problem is unique to PEK and hasn't affected PVG landing times. Other airlines have had difficulty with their landing times at PEK as well.

 

[IORFA]

From what I hear, the odd ORD-PEK times actually haven't harmed the route that much and I hear AA is pleasantly surprised with that situation. I fully expect that they go to "normal" times ASAP, just that it hasn't been been the nightmare that they assumed it would be. Besides, if you are going to PEK only, or for a day or 2, it isn't that bad at all.

 

[frontline]

From what I hear, the odd ORD-PEK times actually haven't harmed the route that much and I hear AA is pleasantly surprised with that situation. I fully expect that they go to "normal" times ASAP, just that it hasn't been been the nightmare that they assumed it would be. Besides, if you are going to PEK only, or for a day or 2, it isn't that bad at all.

The PEK times are a joke. A very bad joke and one that I hope is behind us sooner than later. Talk about getting screwed. How are passengers supposed to connect? I'm glad the route is doing well. And hope for better treatment by the Chinese authorities on the Shanghai run.