Johnson ensured that American Airlines would focus on the New York and Boston markets. The company added 20 more routes to New York’s two major airports, John F. Kennedy and LaGuardia, last year.

So, let’s start there,” Steve Johnson, American’s vice chairman, told analysts on April 24 when the Fort Worth-based carrier reported earnings. He said the carrier isn’t giving up on ...

American and JetBlue had previously entered into a partnership, the Northeast Alliance, in 2020 to challenge Delta Air Lines’ and United Airlines’ dominance in the New York and Boston markets.