American Airlines Quits 3 Airports in 2026: Here’s the List

American Airlines cancels flights to Doha, Santa Maria and Tijuana in 2026. Here’s what ended, what the airline says and where travelers can still fly.

American Airlines has ended its own service to Doha, Qatar; Santa Maria, California; and Tijuana, Mexico, this year, cutting routes from its hubs in Philadelphia and Phoenix.

The three exits played out separately between February and August. American said it dropped Philadelphia-Doha flights for network and fleet reasons. It tied the end of its Phoenix flights to Santa Maria and Tijuana to performance that fell short of expectations.

None of the three airports lost all airline service when American left. Qatar Airways restored daily nonstop flights between Philadelphia and Doha on Aug. 1, and Santa Maria’s airport lists Allegiant Air flights to Las Vegas.

The list covers three destinations documented through airline statements, airport records and aviation trade reporting. It is not a networkwide count of every airport American has left in 2026.

Doha: Suspension First, Then a Permanent Cut

American issued a Doha travel advisory on Feb. 28 amid unrest in the Middle East. It covered travel to and from Hamad International Airport in Doha starting that day.

The suspension became permanent in June. American spokesperson Bri Harper attributed the decision to network and fleet optimization in an emailed statement published June 10 by The Philadelphia Inquirer. She said American would contact affected customers to offer alternate travel arrangements. The statement did not include figures on the route’s financial performance. The Inquirer described the route as the longest flight ever to depart Philadelphia International Airport.

The date of American’s final Philadelphia-Doha flight has not been independently confirmed. When American filed the route in August 2023, it scheduled daily flights on Boeing 787-9 jets.

Qatar Airways announced its return to Philadelphia the same day American’s statement was published. In a June 10 release hosted by Philadelphia International Airport, the carrier described connections through Doha and onward connections through American, its partner in the oneworld alliance.

A second Qatar Airways release, issued Aug. 4, said daily Philadelphia-Doha service resumed Aug. 1 with an Airbus A350-900. Philadelphia International Airport’s live arrivals board listed Qatar Airways Flight 727 from Doha on Oct. 16.

Santa Maria: Phoenix Link Ends in Under Seven Months

American confirmed to AirlineGeeks in March that American Eagle flights between Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport and Santa Maria Public Airport would end effective May 7. SkyWest Airlines operated the flights.

American said the flights did not meet performance expectations and that SkyWest informed the airline it would discontinue the service. American said affected customers would be offered alternate arrangements or a refund.

Flights began Oct. 15, 2025, the start date set in American’s June 2025 announcement. The route was announced as twice-daily service. The Santa Maria Public Airport District’s launch announcement said the flights would use 76-seat regional jets with 12 first-class and 64 coach seats.

By March 17, AeroRoutes reported one daily CRJ900 flight on the route, with the last flight scheduled for May 6.

“They’re a for-profit company, not in the business of losing money,” Martin Pehl, the airport’s general manager, said in a KSBY report following an airport board meeting. American’s own explanation cited performance expectations, not specific financial figures.

A SkyWest representative told Noozhawk that passengers booked beyond the final service date would receive alternative flight options. Employees would be offered opportunities, including transfers, the representative said.

Michael Boyer, president and CEO of the Santa Maria Valley Chamber, expressed disappointment in a statement to KEYT. He called on local partners to pursue restored service.

Santa Maria’s airport directory lists Allegiant flights to Las Vegas but does not give a weekly frequency. Travelers looking for American service can compare SLO County Airport in San Luis Obispo, which lists American nonstop flights to Phoenix and Dallas-Fort Worth.

Tijuana: Phoenix Flights End Aug. 3

An American spokesperson confirmed to AirlineGeeks in a May 9 report that flights between Phoenix and Tijuana’s General Abelardo L. Rodríguez International Airport would be discontinued effective Aug. 3.

The spokesperson said the route did not meet performance expectations and said the airline routinely evaluates its routes to ensure optimal deployment of aircraft. No new destination for the planes was identified.

At that time, SkyWest flew the route with CRJ700 regional jets up to five times a week, according to the report. The service launched as a daily route in 2024. Phoenix Sky Harbor’s Feb. 15, 2024, announcement listed Embraer 175 and Bombardier CRJ700 aircraft. It said the new service made Phoenix the only U.S. destination from Tijuana at the time. AirlineGeeks reported in May that American was also the only U.S. carrier serving Tijuana.

No statement on the exit could be located on Phoenix Sky Harbor’s press-release page or from Tijuana airport operator Grupo Aeroportuario del Pacífico as of Oct. 16.

Cross Border Xpress, or CBX, offers another way to reach Tijuana’s airport. It is a pedestrian bridge connecting the Tijuana airport with San Diego, AirlineGeeks reported. Users need a boarding pass for a flight to or from Tijuana International Airport, a CBX ticket and immigration documents, according to Mexican airline Volaris, which sells CBX crossings. CBX does not replace a U.S. flight, and travelers should confirm eligibility for their trip.

What Passengers Are Owed

The U.S. Department of Transportation says passengers whose flights are canceled are entitled to a refund if they decline replacement travel or other compensation. Accepting the replacement flight gives up the right to a full airfare refund under those rules.

DOT’s summary of its automatic refund rule sets a deadline of seven business days for credit card refunds and 20 calendar days for other payment methods, counted from when the refund becomes due. Refunds cover the unused value of the ticket plus applicable taxes and fees.

DOT also counts a change of origin or destination airport as a significant itinerary change. For tickets bought through a travel agent, the merchant of record shown on the passenger’s payment statement handles the refund. The rules cover the unused ticket, not a new ticket on an airline of the traveler’s choosing.

No date for American to resume service on any of the three routes had been publicly set as of Oct. 16.