American Airlines has decided to terminate its operations at Long Beach Airport (LGB). The airline operates up to three flights daily to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). This marks the second airline to depart the California airport in recent years, after JetBlue canceled services in October 2020.

American Airlines currently has 50 employees at the airport and will look to transfer these staff into other areas of operations. In a statement to the Long Beach Business Journal, American airlines commented:

“American Airlines has made the difficult decision to discontinue service to Long Beach Airport (LGB) as the route is not meeting performance expectations”

Bookable until February 28.

Flights from Long Beach will be available with American Airlines up to the end of February. Services from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Hollywood Burbank Airport (BUR), Ontario International Airport (ONT), and Orange County's John Wayne Airport (SNA) as these airports are not affected.

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American Airlines operated three of the 53 daily slots at Long Beach and received a fourth slot last year from Delta Air Lines. However, the slot was returned when American decided not to operate any further services.

AA's presence at Long Beach with a connection to Phoenix goes back seven years. However, American Airlines' history in the region dates back to 1987, when America West operated out of the municipal airport. America West then merged with US Airways, which later merged with American.

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Citing pilot shortages

The airline has noted that the decision has come due to a shortage of pilots. In a statement, the airline commented:

In response to the regional pilot shortage affecting the airline industry and soft demand, American Airlines has made the difficult decision to end service in Columbus, Georgia (CSG), Del Rio, Texas (DRT) and Long Beach, California (LGB) this spring.

We’re extremely grateful for the care and service our team members provided to our customers in these cities, and are working closely with them during this time. We’ll proactively reach out to customers scheduled to travel to offer alternate arrangements.

Soft demand and pilot shortages in the regions have enticed the airline to review its operations, with noting above the airline will stop its operations at Del Rio International Airport (DRT), Texas, along with its operations at Long Beach and Columbus Airport (CSG), Georgia.

American is currently the only carrier operating to Del Rio, which will affect the nearly 35,000 people near Laughlin Air Force Base. Being the most extensive pilot training base for the US Air Force, it is hoped another airline will connect the city.

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Southwest will continue operating to Phoenix.

Those that have relied on American's connection to Phoenix will be able to pivot to Southwest Airlines if desired, as the airline includes Phoenix in its range of destinations at Long Beach. Other connections on offer from the airport are:

Delta

  • Salt Lake City

Hawaiian Airlines

  • Honolulu
  • Kahului

Southwest Airlines

  • Austin
  • Chicago–Midway
  • Dallas–Love
  • Denver
  • Honolulu
  • Houston–Hobby
  • Las Vegas
  • Nashville
  • Oakland
  • Phoenix–Sky Harbor
  • Reno/Tahoe
  • Sacramento
  • Salt Lake City
  • San Jose (CA)
  • St. Louis

Southwest will also have seasonal operations to Kahului (resuming March 9, 2023), New Orleans (begins January 8, 2023), and Orlando (begins July 15, 2023).

What are your thoughts? Let us know what you think in the comment section.

Sources: Long Beach Business Journal, CBS News, View From The Wing, Dallas Morning News

  • American Airlines Tile
    American Airlines
    IATA/ICAO Code:
    AA/AAL
    Airline Type:
    Full Service Carrier
    Hub(s):
    Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Miami International Airport, New York JFK Airport, LaGuardia Airport, Philadelphia International Airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
    Year Founded:
    1926
    Alliance:
    oneworld
    CEO:
    Robert Isom
    Country:
    United States
    Airline Group:
    American Airlines Group
    Region:
    North America
    Loyalty Program:
    AAdvantage