American launches New York-Dublin route

American Airlines has announced a set of new routes throughout Asia, Europe and Latin America, including New York to Dublin, Dallas to Seoul and Chicago to Dusseldorf. The nonstop daily New York to Dublin service will start on June 12, 2013. The flight will be operated in conjunction with British Airways and Iberia as part of the long-standing transatlantic agreement between the carriers (see online news October 2010). Passengers will be able to access the US customs pre-clearance facility at Dublin. Flight AA290 will depart JFK at 1855, landing in Dublin at 0655 the next day. The return flight AA291 will depart Dublin at 0900, arriving into JFK at 1130. The route will be serviced by a two-class B757-200 aircraft. Graham Bell, AA sales director for the UK and Ireland, said: “Dublin is an important market for American and I am delighted that we can now offer a direct flight to New York to complement the existing flight that we operate direct to Chicago.” The carrier will also launch its first ever service to Seoul, with daily flights from Dallas Fort Worth beginning May 9. This service will be operated in conjunction with the joint-business agreement with Japan Airlines (see online news January 2011). Flight AA27 will depart Dallas at 1030, arriving in Seoul at 1500 the next day. The return flight AA26 will leave Seoul at 1700 and arrive back in Dallas at 1620. The route will be operated by a B777-200. A new daily service to Lima will launch from Dallas on April 2 and will enhance the carrier’s relationship with Oneworld member LAN, including reciprocal frequent flyer benefits. Flight AA2193 will depart Dallas at 1730, arriving in Lima at 1225 the next day. The return flight AA2194 will leave Lima at 0200, arriving back in Dallas at 0915. This route will be operated by a B757. Lastly, the Chicago O’Hare to Dusseldorf daily service will launch on April 11 using a B767-300. This will be codeshared with fellow Oneworld carrier Air Berlin. Flight AA242 will leave Chicago at 1700, arriving in Dusseldorf at 0815 the next day. The return flight AA241 will leave Dusseldorf at 1210, arriving back in Chicago at 1420. New domestic services will also be added to the AA network through regional affiliates American Eagle and Express Jet, from February 14. New links between Dallas Fort Worth and Beaumont/Port Arthur, Texas; Columbia, Missouri; and Fargo, North Dakota, as well as a new Chicago O’Hare-Columbia service will be established. Bookings for all of these routes will open on November 5. For more information visit aa.com. Report by Scott Carey