American Airlines using very different fare playbook for Irma than United Airlines did for Harvey

As Hurricane Irma heads toward Florida, where American Airlines has its fourth-largest hub at Miami International, the airline is taking a cue from a fare playbook that United Airlines did not opt to use in the wake of Hurricane Harvey, which hit the Houston region — to devastating effect — late last month. Late Wednesday American Airlines announced it would cap fares at US$99 plus taxes for all remaining seats on all flights departing from Miami and other Florida markets the airline serves until AA starts shutting down service around the state Friday afternoon. AA’s decision to cap fares in the face of a potentially catastrophic weather event is believed to be an historic move by a major US-based airline. United opted to make no changes to its fare structure in the lead-up to Harvey. <br/>