It may be summer, but American Airlines is already getting into the holiday spirit, rolling out new international routes and boosting flight frequencies for winter travelers looking to trade snow for sunshine. In a sort of “Christmas in July” celebration, the airline has announced three brand-new routes and expanded service to dozens of warm-weather destinations across Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America.
Starting this winter, American will launch brand-new daily flights from Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to both Mexico City (MEX) and Queretaro (QRO), and from Philadelphia (PHL) to Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic (SDQ).
“As the leading U.S. airline in Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America, at American we’re focused on growing our network, giving our customers access to their favorite destinations in the region—from the tropical paradise of Puerto Rico to the dynamic and cosmopolitan city of Mexico City, and beyond,” said José A. Freig, Vice President of International and Inflight Dining Operations. “With these new routes and additional flying, next winter we’ll operate 10 percent more seats than the previous year, a testament to our commitment to the region and our customers.”
In total, American plans to operate more than 430 daily departures at peak season to 97 different destinations in the region. That amounts to 2.3 million roundtrip seats during the December holiday period—nearly a million more than its nearest competitor.
“Summer travel is in full swing, but American is giving travelers a head start on planning winter vacations,” said Philippe Puech, American’s Director of International Network Planning. “American is giving travelers more options to get away this winter, and we are thrilled to offer customers more new routes and flights to popular destinations.”
Reservations on these routes will become available on July 14 at on American’s website or mobile app.
From Windy City To Sunny Climes
Travelers departing from Chicago will gain two new options this winter. Starting October 26, American will begin daily flights to Mexico City, offering a gateway to one of the world’s most vibrant capitals, renowned for its culinary scene, cultural heritage and bustling urban energy.
Then, just in time for holiday vacations, the airline will begin daily seasonal service from Chicago to Queretaro on December 18, running through January 5. Known for its colonial charm, and proximity to Mexico’s wine country and the enchanting town of San Miguel de Allende, Queretaro offers a more off-the-beaten-path experience for winter travelers.
These additions build on American’s earlier expansions from Chicago, which now includes over 20 sunny international destinations.
Philadelphia Adds Caribbean Connections
American is also beefing up its service out of Philadelphia, where it already flies to more destinations than any other airline. Beginning December 18, a new daily route to Santo Domingo will provide PHL travelers with direct access to the Dominican Republic’s capital, offering a lively mix of beaches, history and culture.
In addition, American is boosting flight frequencies on several existing routes. Aruba will see two daily flights, San Juan will increase to three, and St. Maarten will shift from a once-weekly flight to daily service—all during the busy holiday travel window from December 18 to January 5. In total, American will serve 14 destinations across Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America this winter, with over 20 peak-day departures on its schedule.
Expanded holiday service from Philadelphia:
DestinationService notesAruba (AUA)Increase to two daily flightsSan Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU)Increase to three daily flightsSanto Domingo, Dominican Republic (SDQ)New daily serviceSt. Maarten (SXM)Increase from one weekly to one daily flight
Miami Expands as a Winter Hub
As a longtime gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean, Miami International Airport (MIA) will play an even bigger role this winter season. American is ramping up its service to a record 415 peak daily departures, including more than 170 daily flights to 73 warm-weather destinations across the region.
From December 18 through January 5, Miami travelers will benefit from expanded service on eight popular routes, including twice-daily flights to Dominica and Ocho Rios, and increased frequencies to destinations in Jamaica, The Bahamas and the Dominican Republic.
Expanded holiday service from Miami:
DestinationService changesDominica (DOM)Increase to two daily flightsKingston, Jamaica (KIN)Increase to four daily flightsMarsh Harbour, Bahamas (MHH)Increase to three daily flightsNorth Eleuthera, Bahamas (ELH)Increase to three daily flightsOcho Rios, Jamaica (OCJ)Increase to two daily flightsSan Juan, Puerto Rico (SJU)Increase to seven daily flightsSantiago, Dominican Republic (STI)Increase to three daily flightsTortola, British Virgin Islands (EIS)Increase to five daily flights
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