Currently, under a U.S.-Mexico treaty, United Airlines and Alaska Airlines are the only US carriers that are allowed to fly nonstop between Los Angeles and Mexico City, however that could soon change once American Airlines begins service between the two cities, as they would be taking over the route for Alaska Airlines, as early as June 4th.
In addition, both Aeromexico and Volaris fly this route, though the restriction doesn’t apply to carriers based in Mexico.
Per this Bloomberg article, American Airlines won tentative approval to begin flying between Los Angeles and Mexico City as U.S. regulators dismissed objections to the plan by Delta Air Lines.
The route can be operated by American for a year, the U.S. Department of Transportation said Friday in backing the shift of the flight authority from Alaska Airlines. The agency said it would consider objections to the decision in the interim, or make the ruling final if there is no opposition.
The exchange between Fort Worth, Texas-based American and Alaska lets the world’s largest airline start flights from its Los Angeles hub to Mexico City and offer the route twice daily. Delta filed documents to block the swap and urged the government to allow other carriers to bid for the flying rights.
American’s victory in building up its Los Angeles service follows a setback in late March, when U.S. regulators rebuffed the airline’s attempt to take some of Delta’s authority to serve Tokyo’s Haneda airport. American wanted Haneda access to begin flying there from Los Angeles.
Under a U.S.-Mexico treaty, Alaska and United Airlines are the only U.S. carriers allowed to fly between Los Angeles and the Mexican capital. Alaska, which operates the flight once a day, will be able to book its customers on the Mexico flights through a marketing agreement with American.
Bottom Line
This could be great news for American Airlines flyers who wish to head down to Mexico City from Los Angeles. The article doesn’t mention what type of aircraft American would use, but my guess would be a Boeing 737-800 on this type of route.
What are your thoughts on this latest news about American?
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I find it funny that Delta opposed this when at the same time, they are trying to put together a joint venture with AeroMexico.
You mean to tell me that we have thousands if not millions of illegal aliens pouring over the border from Mexico and points further south and we have some BS treaty that limits the airline flights from ANY city in the US to ANY place in Mexico? What a load of crap.