The battle is heating up between two megacarriers —American and United—dominating the airways between the United States and Latin America.
United is especially strong on routes to Mexico, American to South and Central America as well as the Caribbean. Now comes word that American is about to up the ante by adding five new routes to the mix.
Pending government approval, American is making a play for more service to Argentina.
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From December 19, the airline will begin flying nonstop from Los Angeles International (LAX) to Buenos Aires (EZE)—making it the first carrier to offer nonstop flights on the 6,118 mile/9,846 kilometer sojourn. A new Boeing 787-9 will do the heavy lifting.
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Buenos Aires-LAX is a particularly intriguing route. It opens up one-stop/change of plane service for deep Latin America via Los Angeles to an array of American and oneworld alliance flights out of LAX to Asia.
This is especially true when it comes to Japan. JAL is a joint venture partner with AA. Tokyo Narita—Buenos Aires is a prime business travel route.
Meanwhile, another Argentine city is squarely in American’s sights.
May 7 is the projected launch date for nonstop flights from American’s Latin transit point in Miami and Cordoba (COR), Argentina’s second most populous city. A venerable Boeing 767-300 is the airplane of choice for this route.
American is also laying on a couple of new runs out of Miami: Georgetown, Guyana (GEO) begins December 20. MIA-Pereira, Columbia (PEI) takes wing on the same day. Airbus A319s will fly both routes. Both are scheduled to get off the ground December 19.
Finally, American is beefing up its presence in Mexico by beginning Dallas/Fort Worth—Oaxaca, Mexico flights December 19. Dallas/Fort Worth is a prime Launchpad for American’s largely regional jet flights to Mexico, in this instance an Embraer E175.
Archrival United’s Texas nexus at Bush Houston Intercontinental is a strong competitor to American in the Mexican market.
