American Airlines loses $1.6 billion but sees better outlook

DALLAS (AP) — American Airlines says the first quarter was difficult, with another large loss, but it expects to turn a profit in the second quarter as more people return to travel. American said Thursday it lost $1.64 billion in the first quarter, which was marred by thousands of flight cancellations, many of them because pilots and flight attendants were out with COVID-19. But American says March was much better. Revenue is double what it was a year ago, and it’s back to 84% of pre-pandemic levels. American says it expects to earn a profit in the second quarter, minus certain expenses.