American Airlines has dropped flights to three destinations this year—exiting Santa Maria, California, and Tijuana, Mexico, while cutting its long-haul route to Doha, Qatar—as part of a broader network trim driven by underwhelming passenger demand and fleet optimization.
Exiting Santa Maria and Tijuana Amid Phoenix Fleet Cuts
Travelers are facing shrinking options after American Airlines completely pulled out of two markets this year. The carrier permanently ended its service connecting Phoenix Sky Harbor International (PHX) to Tijuana International Airport (TIJ) after passenger traffic failed to match expectations. Launched at the start of 2024 as a 290-mile link, the route ran for its final time on August 2, 2026.
Domestic regional service also took a hit in California. American previously operated flights to Santa Maria, California, through a regional partnership under its American Eagle brand with SkyWest Airlines. SkyWest informed American it would discontinue service as of May 7 because the route failed performance benchmarks. With that departure, Santa Maria lost its only service from a major U.S. legacy carrier, leaving Allegiant Air as the airport’s sole commercial operator with flights to Las Vegas.
Doha and Long-Haul International Cuts
The carrier has trimmed its long-haul international map. Regional geopolitical tensions and security concerns in the Middle East initially prompted the suspension of flights from Philadelphia International Airport to Doha Hamad International Airport (DOH). That suspension was made permanent in June 2026.
Following the exit from Doha, Qatar Airways stepped in to restore nonstop service between Philadelphia and Doha, operating as the sole carrier on that city pair. American also stopped flying on nonstop routes to Brisbane, Zurich, and Paris.
Economic Realities Behind the Schedule Reductions
Airlines regularly evaluate traffic data to ensure the optimal deployment of aircraft across their global networks. When specific city pairs fail to cover operational expenses, carriers routinely reallocate planes to more profitable corridors.
If airlines are consistently not making money on a route, they’re going to pull out, and it happens all the time. It’s part of the economic reality of running an airline efficiently.
Steven Arroyo, aviation safety expert and retired United Airlines captain
Aviation analysts advise passengers booking itineraries to keep a close watch on ticket schedules. Travelers heading toward the Middle East should monitor airline websites directly and establish backup travel arrangements in case of unexpected schedule adjustments.