It looks like American Airlines is not affected by its parent company’s bankruptcy. The airline just announced its plans to expand to eight new destinations out of the Los Angeles International Airport. The airline wants to attract more business travelers. This will make it 51 domestic and international destinations from the LAX.
Seven new domestic destinations are Eugene, Oregon; Redmond, Washington; Pittsburgh; Indianapolis; Columbus, Ohio; Hartford, Connecticut; and Bentonville, Arkansas. The new international flight to Sao Paulo, Brazil will be offered in November, with the approval of the government. American Airlines also started flying to Raliegh/Durham, North Carolina last week.
Business travelers book only around 15 percent of the seats but they generate 30 percent of airline revenue by purchasing high priced seats at the last minute. They prefer the front row seats, which are premium ones.
American Airlines announced in February that it has plans to merge with US Airways to become the nation’s biggest airline. At the Los Angeles International Airport, United Airlines is the largest airline after its merger with Continental Airlines. It is serving 17.6 percent of the passengers at the airport.
American Airlines is the second biggest airline at LAX. It serves 16.3 percent of the passenger. The company expects to get the top spot after its merger with US Airways is completed. Vice president of network planning for American Airlines Chuck Schubert said the company is less worried about being the largest in Los Angeles but is focused in being in the right markets.
