American Airlines announced today that they would be expanding their Los Angeles service, with several new routes thanks to the new gates that their adding, meaning an additional 20 daily flights to several new destinations such as Seattle, Portland, and Anchorage to name a few.

Per American Airlines,

Coming Summer 2016, American Airlines is expanding its leading role at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) by offering more nonstop flights to more destinations than any other carrier. American’s legacy in Los Angeles began 60 years ago. Today that commitment deepens through new flights, unprecedented engagement with the entertainment industry, more jobs for the region and a greater commitment to the community around the greater Los Angeles area. 

American is building two new gates at LAX to support more than 20 new daily flights to nine new year-round and seasonal destinations and added frequencies to existing destinations. When the flights begin June 2, American will operate more than 220 daily flights at LAX with service to more than 70 destinations around the world.

New Destinations include:

Daily

• Seattle (SEA) 5x Daily
• Portland, Oregon (PDX) 3x Daily
• Minneapolis/Saint Paul (MSP) 2x Daily
• New Orleans (MSY) Daily
• Kansas City, Missouri (MCI) Daily
• Omaha, Nebraska (OMA) Daily
• Hartford, Connecticut (BDL) Daily

Seasonal Destinations

• Anchorage, Alaska (ANC) Daily
• Durango, Colorado (DRO) Weekend

Summer Schedules

• Jackson Hole, Wyoming (JAC) Daily
• Montrose, Colorado (MTJ) Weekend
• Vail/Eagle, Colorado Weekend

As previously announced, this year American will inaugurate new international service from LAX to Tokyo’s Haneda Airport (HND) in February and Auckland, New Zealand (AKL) in June. In 2015, American added new flights from LAX to Sydney (SYD); Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ); and Mexico City (MEX), as well as charter service to Havana (HAV). American continues to be the only carrier with true three-class transcontinental service from LAX to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK).

Bottom Line

I’m thrilled about American’s latest announcement on their Los Angeles service and can’t wait to see what else they will continue add with their new gates.

Do you think American can become the leader in Los Angeles, or do United and Delta still have a chance?