Due to the ongoing jet fuel crisis, which has caused a surge in operating costs for carriers across the globe, American Airlines will be cancelling a selection of flights in August and September. The company has stressed that the schedule changes are temporary and is inviting passengers to rebook or to get a refund.
Jet fuel traditionally represents a big part of an airline’s operating costs – approximately 25 to 30% according to the International Air Transport Association. Since the start of the U.S.-Israel war on Iran and the spike in fuel costs it has caused, however, that percentage has dramatically increased.
“War-related disruptions in the Middle East and rising fuel costs have shifted the outlook for airlines for the worse. Profits will shrink from $45 billion in 2025 to $23 billion this year. And margins will shrink from 4.2% to 2.0%,” explained Willie Walsh, IATA’s Director General.
Airlines have been taking different kinds of measures to deal with the cost increase. From raising ticket prices to applying fuel surcharges and reducing flight routes, many carriers have been combining all three in order to stay afloat.
American Airlines applies temporary flight cuts
American Airlines has now announced it will be cancelling a number of flight routes throughout August and September to manage its increased costs. Six routes will not be operating over the two-month period: Los Angeles to Cleveland, Los Angeles to Columbus, Los Angeles to Pittsburgh, Los Angeles to Washington Dulles, Charlotte to Ontario, and Charlotte to Sacramento.
“American is not suspending any routes indefinitely as part of this adjustment,” an American Airlines spokesperson explained in a statement.
The late-summer cancellations are thus to be considered as a temporary measure, not as a definitive flight route cut. The airline has also mentioned that passengers affected by the measure will be offered two options: they will be able to either rebook their flight or get a refund.
Los Angeles International Airport and the jet fuel crisis
American Airlines is not the first airline to suspend (a selection of) its flights to and from Los Angeles International Airport. Norse Atlantic Airways already cancelled its LAX-Europe flights over the summer months in April, and Allegiant Airlines rerouted its flights to Hollywood Burbank Airport.
The reason Los Angeles International Airport was particularly hit by flight cancellations during the jet fuel crisis is mainly due to the fact that the American West Coast is not connected by pipelines to the rest of the country. According to United Airlines Chief Executive Scott Kirby, this means fuel has to be brought in by ship, which has reportedly led to a 40% increase in jet fuel prices since the start of the conflict in the Middle East.
“Fuel price is more susceptible to supply weakness on the West Coast than anywhere else in the country,” Scott Kirby said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times in March 2026.
Although Los Angeles International Airport still offers a wide selection of flights, passengers scheduled to fly through or from LAX should keep an eye on their flight details.
