How Much Has American Airlines Really Improved? Let's Not Be Too Charitable - American

How Much Has American Airlines Really Improved? Let's Not Be Too Charitable

Ben Schlappig — Wed, 15 Jul 2026 23:53:49 +0000

In early 2025, American Airlines executives shared their vision to once again make the airline more premium, given the carrier’s lagging financials, compared to rivals Delta and United. For so long, American executives were convinced the airline could just compete on schedule and price, but that strategy hasn’t turned out to be a success.

Continue reading: How Much Has American Airlines Really Improved? Let’s Not Be Too Charitable

Share your questions, experiences, and thoughts below.

justlanded — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 14:03:17 +0000

Normally an AA customer (lifetime hubster), but we recently flew Air Canada for the first time in many years. Paid extra for "better" seats in the main cabin and to check our bags. The original plane was 3x3, but was later switched to 3x2. Due to the plane switch, we were moved to the exit row, with an empty middle seat no less. They just made better, well better. Without even asking. Again, without even asking, AC sent an automated refund for all the extra seat & baggage fees I had paid. I can't imagine AA doing something like that on their own accord. It's just not in their current DNA.

HaroldW — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 14:00:01 +0000

DO you think making multiple posts asserting your "uncouth" belief somehow makes you/it more persuasive? Saying the same thing over and over often does the reverse.

HaroldW — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 13:40:44 +0000

I quit halfway. The aimless ramblings and run-on sentences with too little information or insight became unbearable to read. Are writers here paid by the word or just incapable of ruthless editing for reader value?

rebel — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 13:09:25 +0000

I agree that some folks are incorrigible, but the vast majority of people want their work to make a positive difference. Airlines are extremely complicated ventures that if mismanaged can frustrate even the most right minded employee. Beyond good management a large airline requires strong leadership with a well-communicated vision to inspire employees to go the extra mile for the customers to get the service to the next level. The only other way to do it is through fear at airlines based in places where workers have no rights or recourse. No thanks.

rebel — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 13:01:06 +0000

TD says, "AA made the right decision to retire aircraft; that isn't applauding them." Actually, FAIAP it is applauding them, and it was obviously the wrong thing to do along with a lot of other miscalculations that are easy to see in retrospect. Hindsight is 20/20 as they say, but parking long-haul wide-body aircraft ahead of the biggest boom in international travel and with supply severely constrained was a mistake. Much of that lack of supply was because most other airlines made the same mistake so they are far from alone.

alanZ — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 12:00:29 +0000

You just got bumped from Thanksgiving dinner list.

alanZ — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 11:58:44 +0000

Damn. You beat me to it. CHARBUCKS!!!!!

Tim Dunn — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 11:50:03 +0000

and yet he comes to someone else's site to argue w/ me. you of all people are hardly the one that knows how to contain your argumentative nature but it does say volumes that he has to argue w/ someone on another blogger's site and specific to the topic, which at least rebel discusses- you always resort to personal attacks when you can't debate the issues - AA wasn't profitable in the TATL and TPAC regions and in major markets like the transcons. DL has and will continue to grow its share and add premium revenue AA could not carry as a result. AA made the right decision to retire aircraft; that isn't applauding them. That is being able to see that doing the same thing as your competitors is not the right thing if you can't do it well

Steve A — Tue, 30 Jun 2026 09:30:01 +0000

American just sold off its former retired A330s to an Asian airline. Surely these aircraft, which were fitted with Premium Economy I believe, could have seen another 5 or so years plying routes through to Europe until new aircraft are ordered and arrive. They weren't that old as far as cycles and flight time were concerned either. And another 20 or 30 additional used ones could have been purchased too to fill the gap until they are no longer needed.