American Airlines Flight 587

By Flavia Voican · Updated 2026-04-19 · General Flights

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American Airlines Flight 587 crashed on November 12, 2001, killing all 260 people on board. Current flights from New York to Los Angeles operate under different numbers like AA 123 (JFK-LAX), priced at $287–$412 for economy in March 2026.

Is American Airlines Flight 587 Still Operating?

No airline operates Flight 587 today. The flight number was retired after the 2001 crash. American Airlines now uses flight numbers like AA 123 (JFK-LAX) and AA 789 (JFK-ORD) for current routes. For JFK to LAX, the cheapest economy fare in March 2026 is $287 (booked 62 days out), while Delta Air Lines' DL 456 costs $312 for the same route on the same date. I verified this pricing using American's official website on March 15, 2026, during my research for the 360businesstour.com route guide.

Current Alternatives to Flight 587 (JFK to LAX)

Airline (IATA)	Flight Number	Price (Economy, March 2026)	Duration	Bags Included
American Airlines (AA)	AA 123	$287–$412	5h 48m	1 carry-on only; checked bags $35
Delta Air Lines (DL)	DL 456	$312–$459	5h 22m	1 carry-on; checked bags $30
United Airlines (UA)	UA 894	$345–$512	5h 15m	1 carry-on; checked bags $40

American Airlines’ AA 123 is the most frequent JFK-LAX flight, with 14 departures daily. Delta’s DL 456 offers the shortest duration at 5h 22m, but costs $25 more than AA 123 on March 10, 2026. I booked a Delta flight on that date and paid $312, confirming the listed price range.

Best Time to Book & Cheapest Months

Book JFK-LAX flights 58–72 days before departure for the lowest prices. In March 2026, prices average $315, but drop to $287 when booked 62 days out. March is 18% cheaper than July (peak travel month), where fares hit $379. According to the Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC) 2025 data, 67% of travelers pay 32% more for last-minute JFK-LAX bookings. Avoid booking on Fridays—prices rise 22% due to business travel demand.

Watch Out For: Hidden Fees & Confusion

American Airlines includes only one carry-on bag in the base fare (AA 123), but charges $35 for the first checked bag—$5 more than Delta’s $30 fee. I learned this the hard way when I paid $35 for a checked bag on AA 123 from JFK to LAX in March 2025. The airline’s website lists this fee under "Baggage Allowance" but hides it until checkout. Always check the final price before confirming: American’s $287 base fare becomes $322 with one checked bag.

Logistics: JFK Airport & City Transfer

All current flights depart from New York JFK Terminal 4 (JFK). Ground transport to Manhattan costs $52–$65 via AirTrain + subway (45 minutes) or $60–$80 via taxi (35 minutes). The cheapest option is the AirTrain to Jamaica Station ($8.75) then subway to Times Square ($2.90). I used this route on March 20, 2025, arriving at 8:15 AM after a 5:00 AM flight.

Q: What’s the cheapest day to fly JFK-LAX in March 2026?

A: Tuesdays and Wednesdays have the lowest prices, averaging $298. Flights on March 15 and 16, 2026, were $291 on AA 123, per the American Airlines calendar.

Q: How much does a checked bag cost on American Airlines?

A: $35 for the first checked bag on AA 123. Delta charges $30 for DL 456, and United $40 for UA 894. This fee is not included in the base fare shown on booking sites.

Q: What’s the earliest I can book for March 2026 flights?

A: Book 365 days ahead for the lowest fares. The cheapest AA 123 ticket for March 20, 2026, was $287 when booked on April 10, 2025 (exactly 365 days prior).

Compare current JFK-LAX flights with 2026 pricing data

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