Every time I think American Airlines can possibly add more 777s on domestic routes from Miami … American adds another 777s on domestic routes from Miami. With this weekend’s schedule update, it’s definitely fun to be an American Airlines flyer in Miami.
American’s 6x daily 777s between Miami and Los Angeles
Between June 3 and August 16, 2021, American Airlines will fly 6x Boeing 777s daily between Miami (MIA) and Los Angeles (LAX).:
- The airline will fly five 777-300 ERs daily, with 304 seats
- The airline will fly one 777-200ER daily with 273 seats
For what it’s worth, American has already scheduled 6x daily 777s between Miami and Los Angeles between May 6 and June 2, though that only includes two daily 777-300ERs instead of five. The summer schedule therefore represents a larger capacity increase compared to the spring schedule.
American flies 77 times 777s daily between MIA and LAX
What are the practical implications of all these 777 services?
- All business and first class passengers have a flat bed
- 777s have a first-class economy, but American does not sell the seats as a clear cabin; so if you are booking an extra seat for the main cabin (to which some elite members are entitled for free), you can opt for a premium economy seat at no extra cost.
- The five daily 777-300ERs even feature a premium four-cabin product for sale
Five daily flights include a first-class cabin
American’s 7x daily 777s between Miami and New York
It’s not just transcon routes that are getting love. Between June 3 and August 16, 2021, American Airlines will fly 7x Boeing 777s daily between Miami (MIA) and New York (JFK).:
- The airline will fly four 777-200ERs daily, with 273 seats
- The airline will fly three 777-300 ERs daily with 304 seats
American’s 777-300ER Business Class Cabin
Although American has historically driven 777s between Miami and New York, we have never seen the airline drive the 777 so consistently on the route. In particular, I never remember regularly scheduling the 777-300ER in this market.
This update comes after New York lifted its requirement for travelers in quarantine, making it easier for New Yorkers to visit Florida (not that they have not already done so), and also making it easier for Floridians to visit New York. .
The same general principles apply as on the Miami and Los Angeles routes, with one difference – between Miami and New York, American does not sell first class on the 777-300ERs. In other words, if you are booking business class on the route, you can book a first class seat at no extra cost.
Choose a 777-300ER first class seat when booking your business class
Other fun broad body trails from Miami
While Los Angeles and New York are the only domestic destinations that bring so many wide bodies out of Miami, there are a few other notable Miami routes to get 777s or 787s during the summer months:
- Between Miami and Dallas American will fly wide 5x daily – 3x daily 777-300ERs, 1x daily 777-200ER, 1x daily 787-8
- Between Miami and Boston, American will fly 777-200ER twice daily
- Between Miami and Las Vegas, American will fly 787-8 times daily
- Between Miami and Chicago, American will fly 787-8 times daily
American also flies 787s domestic from Miami
How does this domestic 777 fly make sense?
American Airlines sells really cheap fares in these markets (these are the lowest fares, and of course many people pay more to fly):
- Between Miami and Los Angeles we see rates of less than $ 100 and business class rates of less than $ 550
- Between Miami and New York we see rates of less than $ 80 and rates for business class of less than $ 250
Is there a world in which the math checks for these flights? Yes, this is perhaps the only time in history where it makes sense:
- American Airlines is unloading all its aircraft from May 2021
- While domestic demand has largely recovered, international demand has not, so America has an excessively wide body
- Airlines have payment support until 30 September 2021, so for all practical purposes the crew of these flights cost them virtually nothing
- Not only that, but Americans have to keep 777 pilots active and working, otherwise the airline will have a bigger problem having to retrain pilots, as they are also largely the more senior pilots.
- Once demand for international travel returns, American will have its 777 fleet (including pilots) ready, which is important
- The planning of these aircraft on domestic routes offers America much flexibility; if travel restrictions are suddenly lifted, American can easily recycle these aircraft on more profitable international routes
Under normal circumstances, there is no way these flights would make money. However, if you think about the lack of other places to operate these aircraft, and that the primary operating costs here are fuel, these flights probably make sense, especially since oil prices are currently quite low.
In other words, route planning for wide-body aircraft is currently not really about finding the most profitable markets (because they largely do not exist), but rather about finding the least unprofitable way to utilize the aircraft, so that the aircraft are ready is for better days ahead.
All US bodies have premium economy
Bottom line
American Airlines flies 777s, unlike ever before, from Miami, including all flights to Los Angeles and New York operated by 777s. Perhaps most interestingly, Americans will be offering 11x local 777-300ER frequencies from Miami daily, which has never been before.
Like I said, this is a fantastic time to be an American pilot from Miami, in terms of the comfort of these aircraft and the chance of upgrading.
What do you make of American’s 777 schedule from Miami?