Did You Know American Airlines Used To Fly To London Stansted Airport?

London Stansted Airport (STN), located 40 miles northeast of London, is the city’s third-busiest airport and the UK’s fourth-busiest overall. Despite its smaller size compared to Heathrow and Gatwick, Stansted serves over 160 destinations and acts as a hub for European low-cost carriers like Ryanair.

In the 1990s and 2000s, American Airlines operated transatlantic flights from the US to Stansted but ceased operations due to unprofitability and high operational costs. Nevertheless, Stansted has continued to grow, showing resilience and maintaining its importance, particularly as a freight hub and a preferred airport for high-profile visitors.

London Stansted Airport

London’s metropolitan area is the world’s busiest city airport system by passenger count. The city is served by six international airports, including:

• Heathrow Airport (LHR)
• Gatwick Airport (LGW)
• Stansted Airport (STN)
• Luton Airport (LTN)
• London City Airport (LCY)
• Southend Airport (SEN)

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Stansted Airport, London’s third-busiest airport, is located 40 miles (64 km) northeast of the city in the county of Essex. Although much smaller than the well-known Heathrow Airport, Stansted is the UK’s fourth-busiest airport.

Today, the airport serves over 160 destinations in Europe, Asia, and Africa, and is a base for several European low-cost carriers, including acting as Ryanair’s largest base. Stansted Airport is also regularly used by private companies for charter flights, state visits, and celebrity visitors to the city, most recently including Taylor Swift.

Despite being overshadowed by the larger Heathrow and Gatwick Airports, Stansted has played an important role in connecting the UK with the world. Throughout the years, several major airlines have operated flights to and from Stansted, including the leading US carrier American Airlines.

London Stansted Airport

Stansted Airport is London’s third busiest airport. While it has hosted services from the likes of Emirates and Air India, its focus is on short-haul low cost carriers. Ryanair maintains its largest base at the airport. (Featured Image: Stansted Airport)

American Airlines and Stansted in the 1990s

In the early 1990s, American Airlines operated flights between Stansted Airport (STN) and Chicago-O’Hare (ORD). At the time, the US airline was the only long-haul carrier flying to the London airport, according to The Independent.

American Airlines began its daily service to Stansted in June 1992. The route addition came amid fierce competition between US and UK carriers to control transatlantic routes. Additionally, as Stansted struggled to recoup its 1992 losses of nearly £29 million (approximately $44.6 million at the time), it sought to attract more airlines and services.

Despite the airport officials’ excitement over the US carrier’s presence, American soon found the ORD–STN route extremely unprofitable. Most flights were less than half full, while flights to Gatwick, Heathrow, and Manchester averaged 80% capacity. By March 1993, American Airlines had already lost nearly $10 million on the daily transatlantic flights.

On March 31, 1993, American Airlines announced it would be ending its ORD–STN service by the end of May. The loss of a major international airline was a huge blow to the London airport, but representatives were confident in Stansted’s continued success even still. According to a representative for the British Airports Authority (BAA):

“Obviously, we are very sad that American has pulled out, but you have got to put it in context. Stansted is the fastest-growing airport in Europe, and American accounted for only 2 percent of passenger traffic.”

Photo: Simple Flying | Vincenzo Pace

American Airlines continued service on its ORD–LHR route after pulling out of Stansted. The London airport didn’t see another major US carrier until the early 2000s when Continental Airlines began operating flights from Newark (EWR). However, the service was stopped soon after the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001.

American Airlines and Stansted in the 2000s

In 2007, American Airlines announced the launch of a new daily nonstop service between New York JFK and Stansted Airport. According to Business Travel News Europe, the flight was the only transatlantic service between the two cities to offer both Business and economy class seating.

American also confirmed it would add an additional flight in April 2008. The second service would allow passengers to choose between early or late evening departures from New York and morning or late afternoon departures from Stansted.

These flights were operated by Boeing 767-300s configured in a two-class seating arrangement. The aircraft contained 195 economy seats and 30 new business class seats featuring a lie-flat design and an innovative personal inflight entertainment device. American’s Vice President at the time, Chuck Imhof, explained the airline’s reason for resuming flights to Stansted Airport. According to Imhof’s statement, several catalysts led to the decision:

“While we initiated JFK-Stansted service because our business customers asked for it, the route also has strong appeal for leisure travelers…as well as the opportunity to connect to large numbers of flights within the UK and the rest of Europe.”

To further the connection between the London Airport and the US, American planned to begin the construction of the American Airlines Business Lounge in Satellite Two (one of Stansted’s satellite buildings for arrivals and departures). Construction of the lounge was planned to begin in Spring 2008 and would feature seating for 48 people, various amenities, and direct passenger boarding from the Business Lounge.

Stansted Airport officials were elated at the return of the leading US airline. The managing director of the airport, Stewart Wingate, responded to the news:

However, by May 2008, American Airlines had announced it would end its JFK–STN flights on July 2. The decision came after record-high fuel prices and a weakening economy disrupted the global aviation industry and necessitated extreme cost-cutting programs.

The second American Airlines pullout was another major blow to Stansted. This followed the significant loss of business-only carrier Eos Airlines, which stopped serving the airport after its collapse in April 2008.

Even still, Stansted Airport officials maintained positivity in their reaction to the losses. In a statement to Travel Weekly, Stansted strategy director Nick Barton said:

Stansted Airport without American Airlines

Even with these ups and downs, Stansted has continued to grow and maintain its place as one of London’s essential airports. Despite a sharp decline in passenger numbers from 2007 to 2012, the airport showed an increase in subsequent years.

In 2013, Stansted showed a 2.2% growth rate and, by 2015, had grown by 12.8%. By 2016, the airport reported a record total of passengers at 24.3 million, solidifying its place as the third-busiest airport in the UK. During the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, Stansted was even ranked as the second-busiest airport in the country.

In spite of the roller coaster of its relationship with American Airlines, Stansted has shown tenacity and resilience. Its importance as a freight airport and a destination for important visitors seeking less-crowded travel conditions to London has led to the airport planning a new arrivals terminal. Once completed, this £130 million (over $164.5m) project will make Stansted the only UK airport with dedicated arrivals and departures terminal buildings.

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Did you ever fly to or from London Stansted Airport on American Airlines? Share your experiences by commenting below.