American Airlines network chief Znotins pushes smaller aircraft strategy and Seattle Asia

Znotins, who managed United’s network before joining American Airlines in January 2020, is leading a strategy that favors using smaller aircraft to add frequencies rather than widebodies.

He planned an Airbus A321XLR order to add two smaller flights to a destination instead of one larger aircraft, intended Seattle to become the airline’s primary Asia gateway in partnership with Alaska Airlines, said Los Angeles was not profitable because of losses on a handful of long‑haul routes, and suggested moving wide‑body aircraft from Los Angeles to other hubs such as Miami, New York and Dallas.