This is actually good news, as it shows AA have seen the future - in the same way that BA has done. By cutting small early, you can (hopefully) save cutting bigger later.
The US market is reported as being over provided with seats, this will sort the problem. More mergers and more closures will improve the long term strength of the industry. That is, after all, the American Way of capitalism. A lot of people support capitalism when it helps their lives but not when it works the other way.