American Airlines Cuts Six Routes Across the U.S. Including Los Angeles, Washington DC, Cleveland and More

American Airlines is temporarily suspending six domestic routes and lowering its 2026 profit forecast as rising jet fuel costs linked to the war in Iran continue to pressure airline operations and profitability.

The carrier said Wednesday it would suspend nonstop service on routes between Los Angeles and Cleveland, Columbus, Pittsburgh and Washington Dulles, as well as between Charlotte and Ontario, California, and Charlotte and Sacramento. The changes will affect flights in August and September, though the airline said no routes are being eliminated permanently.

"American is not suspending any routes indefinitely as part of this adjustment," the airline said in a statement reported by CBS News, adding that affected passengers will be offered rebooking options or refunds and that passengers traveling on the suspended routes will still be able to reach those destinations through connecting flights.

The route cuts come as airlines worldwide respond to sharp increases in fuel costs following disruptions tied to the conflict involving Iran and concerns over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a key corridor for global oil supplies. Reuters reported back in April that American Airlines was expecting its annual jet fuel bill to rise by more than $4 billion this year, with fuel prices reaching roughly $4 a gallon during the second quarter.

Jet fuel typically accounts for about 25% to 30% of airline operating expenses. Analysts cited by the Bipartisan Policy Center noted this week that jet fuel and diesel prices have risen more sharply than gasoline prices because both fuels rely heavily on middle distillates produced from crude oil, which are more vulnerable to supply disruptions and refinery constraints during geopolitical crises.

Other carriers have taken similar steps in recent months. Delta Air Lines raised baggage fees, while Lufthansa, KLM and Norse Atlantic Airways have also adjusted routes or schedules in response to higher operating costs.

Industry analysts say airlines are increasingly balancing fuel-related pressures against ticket prices that were often sold months in advance, limiting their ability to quickly offset rising expenses.

American Airlines said the affected routes represent only a small fraction of its more than 6,500 daily departures, though the impacted markets collectively handled more than 1.4 million round-trip passengers last year, according to Department of Transportation data cited by KTLA.