The below was originally published as American Airlines release and has been adapted
Updated April 15, 2019
In a message to American Airlines team members, American Airlines has announced it will extend cancellations of flights on the grounded Boeing 737 MAX aircraft through August 19. Previously the airline has only cancelled flights through June. This will result in an estimated 115 flights per day being cancelled until August 19. American Airlines released a statement which said that "by extending our cancellations through the summer, we can plan more reliably for the peak travel season and provide confidence to our customers and team members when it comes to their travel plans." The statement continued, "Once the MAX is recertified, we anticipate bringing our MAX aircraft back on line as spares to supplement our operation as needed during the summer."
The entirety of the statement issued by American’s Chairman and CEO Doug Parker and President Robert Isom to American team members on Sunday, April 14:
Dear fellow team members,
As we prepare for summer, our focus is around planning for the busiest travel period of the year. Families everywhere are counting on American Airlines for their summer vacations, family reunions, trips to visit friends and adventures overseas. Our commitment to each other and to our customers is to operate the safest and most reliable operation in our history.
To further that mission, we have made the decision to extend our cancellations for the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft through Aug. 19. Based upon our ongoing work with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Boeing, we are highly confident that the MAX will be recertified prior to this time. But by extending our cancellations through the summer, we can plan more reliably for the peak travel season and provide confidence to our customers and team members when it comes to their travel plans. Once the MAX is recertified, we anticipate bringing our MAX aircraft back on line as spares to supplement our operation as needed during the summer.
The planning team is working on this action now and in total, approximately 115 flights per day will be canceled through Aug. 19. These 115 flights represent approximately 1.5 percent of American’s total flying each day this summer.
We remain confident that the impending software updates, along with the new training elements Boeing is developing for the MAX, will lead to recertification of the aircraft soon. We have been in continuous contact with the FAA, Department of Transportation (DOT), National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), other regulatory authorities and are pleased with the progress so far.
Our Reservations and Sales teams will continue to work closely with customers to manage their travel plans, and we appreciate their outstanding efforts to care for our customers. Your professionalism and care for customers is second to none, and we thank you for all you do every day for our customers and for each other.
Frequently asked questions
My flight was previously scheduled on a MAX. Will it be canceled?
Not all flights that were previously scheduled on a MAX will be canceled, as American Airlines plans to substitute other aircraft types. In total, approximately 115 flights will be canceled per day.
My flight wasn’t scheduled to be on a MAX. Why has it been canceled?
A flight that was not scheduled as a MAX flight might be canceled to enable the American Airlines team to cover a MAX route with a different aircraft. American's goal is to minimize the impact to the smallest number of customers.
How will customers know if they are impacted?
Customers who booked through a travel agent will be contacted by their agency directly.
My flight was canceled and I don’t want to rebook. Can I get a refund?
Yes. If a flight is canceled and a customer chooses to not be rebooked, they may request a full refund.
About American Airlines Group
American Airlines and American Eagle offer an average of nearly 6,700 flights per day to nearly 350 destinations in more than 50 countries. American has hubs in Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, Phoenix and Washington, D.C.
RELATED: AA Announces Changes to Service and Emotional Support Animal Policy
