American’s Head Of Network Planning Is Out: Will International Expansion Follow?

Reports suggest that American Airlines’ head of network planning has left the airline. In the long run this could have major implications for American’s route network, and it’s the latest sign that maybe American is serious about a turnaround?!

Brian Znotins reportedly leaves American Airlines

JonNYC was first to break the news that Brian Znotins, American’s SVP of Network Planning, has reportedly left the airline.

Znotins joined American in early 2020 as VP of Network & Schedule Planning, where he at the time reported to Vasu Raja, American’s SVP of Network Strategy (and later Chief Commercial Officer, before he was ultimately fired). Prior to that, he worked at WestJet, United, Continental, and Canadian Airlines.

Reports suggest that Znotins will be replaced by Nick Andersen, who currently serves as American’s VP of Commercial Planning & Performance. Andersen has been at American (and US Airways before that) for nearly two decades, since 2007, and has basically spent his entire career working in network planning, pricing, etc.

Is American ready to pursue a new network strategy?

I’ve met Znotins before — he’s a very nice guy, and he’s no doubt bright. However, along with Raja, he’s one of the primary guys who has been behind American’s strategy of focusing so heavily on domestic flying, and basically avoiding long haul flying as much as possible.

So while I respect him, I do think the direction American’s network has gone under his leadership has been… less than ideal, we’ll say. Unless you live in El Paso or Tucson, I suppose.

I mean, you want the clearest sign of how much Znotins dislikes long haul flying? His LinkedIn banner image is of an Airbus A319, American’s smallest mainline plane. Any true network planning geek would put the carrier’s biggest or most modern plane on the cover (for the record, United’s Patrick Quayle has a Boeing 787, and Delta’s Joe Esposito has an Airbus A350).

My guess is that American Chief Commercial officer Nat Pieper is cleaning house here, and realizes that if things are going to change, the carrier needs a new strategy. I’m very much on #TeamPieper (and also #TeamReplaceIsom), and if American stands any chance of a solid recovery, it’s going to be under his direction (unless they bring in some more outside people).

My assumption — and this is purely speculation — is that Pieper just realized how much of a competitive disadvantage American is at when it comes to its network, and he knew Znotins wasn’t the guy to fix that. I have a couple of thoughts:

• I imagine the long term plan now will be to pursue more long haul flying, though that won’t come overnight; after all, American doesn’t have enough long haul aircraft, and while an order is reportedly imminent, it’ll likely take years before those planes are delivered
• I don’t know anything about Andersen, who is reportedly replacing Znotins, but I’m skeptical of anyone who has been in the organization for two decades and comes from America West or US Airways, simply because this is the same group of people who caused this mess

I think one thing we also have to remember is how United’s network whiz, Patrick Quayle, actually worked at American until early 2017, as a Managing Director of International Planning. He was then poached by United, and goodness, the trajectories of the two airlines sure have changed since then.

2017 really was a turning point for American — it’s when the airline started its “focus on cost at all costs” approach, and that started nearly a decade of going steadily downhill. The funny thing is that even American’s stock price reflects that. Keep in mind American’s stock was trading for close to $60 in 2017, and now it’s trading at $12.

Bottom line

American’s network planning chief, Brian Znotins, has reportedly left the airline suddenly. He’s one of the guys behind American’s strategy of focusing so heavily on domestic flying, and basically ignoring the rest of the globe in any sort of a meaningful way.

I have to imagine that Nat Pieper is behind this, and that he knew some changes were needed. Znotins is reportedly being replaced by someone who has worked under him, who has been at the airline for nearly 20 years. I don’t know enough about him to have a strong take, though I’m definitely more of a fan of outsiders at the organization.

Here’s to hoping this is the (slow) start to a new approach to network planning. Admittedly not a lot will likely change overnight, given American’s small long haul fleet.

What do you make of American’s changes in network planning leadership?