Also, Monterrey, Mexico, is a destination the airline might consider, he said. Coutts was in Corpus Christi to speak to the Rotary Club about air service as well as answer questions from the membership. The Rotarians asked mostly about additional jet service, frequent flyer programs and the new terminal in Dallas. But in the meantime, the airline is doing something to address customer complaints about being bused from the main terminal to wait to be loaded onto the plane, Coutts said. We're going to solve that problem for you, starting in October, with a brand new facility in Dallas.
Regional jets have a longer range than turboprops, in addition to being faster and more comfortable.
Three of American's seven flights from Corpus Christi International Airport are by jet. American Airlines expects a 30 percent increase in passenger travel over the next five years, he said. American Airlines is planning to retire its DC-10s and 727s by the end of the year, Coutts said. In its place will be regional jets that fly faster, farther and smoother. It could take two or three years for the regional jets to replace all of the planes in the American Eagle system.