American Airlines adds 2 brand-new destinations in 7-route expansion
American Airlines is starting to make winter plans with seven new routes, including two new destinations.
American's two new destinations are Santa Maria Airport (SMX) on California's Central Coast and Friedman Memorial Airport (SUN) in Sun Valley, Idaho. From Sun Valley, the carrier will add service to its hubs at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). Santa Maria will get one nonstop route — a link to American's Phoenix hub.
Beyond those, American is adding four other new routes that will bolster its service at Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers, Florida; Missoula Montana Airport (MSO); and Santa Fe Regional Airport (SAF) in New Mexico.
Bargain hunting: When is the best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare?
Here are the details of American's new routes:
- Fort Myers to Phoenix: Daily on a Boeing 737 from Nov. 20 through Dec. 3, and from Dec. 18 through Jan. 6, 2026.
- Missoula to Chicago: Daily on an Embraer E175 from Dec. 18 (American currently flies from Missoula to Chicago seasonally during the summer).
- Santa Fe to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): Daily on a Bombardier CRJ700 from Oct. 6.
- Santa Fe to Chicago: Daily on a CRJ700 from Dec. 18 through Jan. 6, 2026.
- Santa Maria to Phoenix: Twice daily on a Bombardier CRJ900 from Oct. 16.
- Sun Valley to Chicago: Daily on a CRJ700 from Dec. 18 through April 6, 2026.
- Sun Valley to Phoenix: Daily on a CRJ700 from Dec. 18 through April 6, 2026.
Ticket sales for American's new routes begin June 30.
Most of American's new markets are well-established beach or mountain destinations. Sun Valley, for example, is known for its popular ski resort and is already served by Alaska Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines.
Santa Maria stands out as unique. The California city is near Vandenberg Space Force Base between Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo. The airport is only served by Allegiant Air with twice-weekly flights to Las Vegas' Harry Reid International Airport (LAS), schedule data from aviation analytics firm Cirium shows.
United was the last major airline to serve Santa Maria, with regional flights to San Francisco that ended in 2016, according to Cirium.
American has shown a willingness to try unique smaller domestic destinations in recent years. It added Provo Airport (PVU) in Utah in 2024, and McClellan-Palomar Airport (CLD) in Carlsbad, California, north of San Diego, earlier this year.
The carrier was planning to grow scheduled capacity by a percent in the "low single digits" this year compared to 2024. However, it suspended its outlook in April following the slowdown in domestic travel.
One thing going for American on its new routes: little competition. It only faces United on the Chicago-Missoula and Chicago-Sun Valley routes.
.Related reading:
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $8,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.