American Airlines Drops 8 International Routes for 2027, Even Some Flying 80% Full
American Airlines has dropped eight international routes from its 2027 schedule, and several of them were filling about 80% of their seats or more.
The cuts range from short hops to Canada and Mexico to long-haul flights to Europe, the Middle East and Australia, according to an analysis by Simple Flying of the airline’s schedule and Department of Transportation data.
The routes are:
- Los Angeles to Brisbane, Australia
- Philadelphia to Doha, Qatar
- Miami to Paris
- Chicago O’Hare to San José, Costa Rica
- New York JFK to Toronto
- Phoenix to Tijuana, Mexico
- Dallas/Fort Worth to Zurich
- Phoenix to Monterrey, Mexico
Most of the flights already stopped earlier this year. Phoenix to Monterrey is the last to go, with its final flights this month.
Miami to Paris has the longest history. American launched it in 1992 and later cut it to seasonal service, and a planned December 2026 return has been canceled. Dallas to Zurich began only this past summer.
Demand was not the main problem for most of them. Philadelphia to Doha filled 85.8% of its seats in the first half of 2026, while Chicago to San José hit 82.4% and Dallas to Zurich 79.8%.
The Phoenix flights were the weak spots. Phoenix to Tijuana filled just 50.6% of its seats, and Phoenix to Monterrey 58.2%. Philadelphia to Doha was suspended over Middle East hostilities, and partner Qatar Airways now flies the route.
Fuel Is Driving the Cuts
The backdrop is a jump in jet fuel prices. American paid an average of $3.85 a gallon in the third quarter, which drove fuel expense up $1.9 billion, or 67.5%, from a year earlier, the company reported in October.
The airline expects to pay about $4.70 a gallon in the fourth quarter, nearly double what it paid a year earlier, adding roughly $2.8 billion in fuel costs.
American posted a third-quarter net loss of $269 million despite record third-quarter revenue of $16.3 billion.
“While historically high fuel prices significantly impacted our financial results, our focus remains on restoring profitability and building a stronger American for the long term,” CEO Robert Isom said in the earnings release.
American said it expects network growth in 2027 to slow from 2026 levels. In a statement cited by Simple Flying, the airline said that “as part of targeted actions to strengthen the airline, American will moderate its planned growth.”
Isom had warned in September that persistently high fuel prices could force the carrier to adjust its capacity plans, Reuters reported. In October, American also announced cuts to five more routes, including Miami to Montreal and Miami to Tulum, Mexico.
The airline is not retreating from overseas flying. Philadelphia and JFK are each scheduled to grow about 7% next year as American adds transatlantic flights, many on the new long-range Airbus A321XLR, and Miami is set to grow 4.9%.
About 75% of American’s international flights head to Latin America and the Caribbean, compared with less than half at Delta and United, so most of its southern network is unaffected.
Travelers on the canceled routes will need to connect through a hub or book a partner airline, such as Qatar Airways from Philadelphia or Qantas to Brisbane.
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