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American adds 8 new routes to the Caribbean, Latin America
Zach Griff
Senior reporter
Zach Griff is a senior reporter at TPG. He writes travel and product reviews, deep dives into loyalty programs, news about the airline industry and more.
May 16, 2024
•
7 min read
American adds 8 new routes to the Caribbean, Latin America
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American Airlines is getting even bigger in the Caribbean and Latin America.
On Thursday, the Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier announced a slew of new routes to the region, including an all-new destination for the airline. These new routes are part of an expanded short-haul international schedule for the winter season, during which American seemingly expects plenty of winter-weary travelers to seek escapes from the cold.
You'll find the full table of new routes at the bottom of the story, but highlights include new service to La Romana in the Dominican Republic. This outstation hasn't seen American service since 2017, when the airline operated regional jets to La Romana International Airport (LRM) from Miami International Airport (MIA).
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This winter, American will fly daily from MIA to LRM using an Airbus A319.
La Romana joins existing American service to Puerto Plata, Punta Cana, Santo Domingo and Santiago in the Dominican Republic, Cirium schedules show. American will become the only U.S. airline serving La Romana. Given American's massive hub in Miami, it will be able to offer plenty of one-stop itineraries to its new destination.
In total, American is adding eight new Caribbean routes (just one is a recent resumption), six of which are from the Northeast.
From American's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) hub in New York, the airline will add nonstop service to Grantley Adams International Airport (BGI) in Bridgetown, Barbados; Hewanorra International Airport (UVF) in Vieux Fort, St. Lucia; Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM) in Simpson Bay, St. Maarten; and Argyle International Airport (SVD) near Kingstown, St. Vincent and the Grenadines.
American is also adding two new routes from Philadelphia, a hub that has been seemingly neglected in recent years while American focused on expanding in New York and Boston with its now-defunct Northeast Alliance with JetBlue.
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From Philadelphia International Airport (PHL), American will add service to BGI and Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) in Liberia, Costa Rica.
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Notably, all of American's new routes will be operated by mainline jets, as the carrier seemingly believes that there should be plenty of demand to the islands this winter.
Many of the new routes will launch on a Saturday-only schedule, intended for leisure travelers who want to spend a week at their destination. American’s upcoming winter schedule will be its largest ever, with over 11% more departures and 10% more seats compared to 2023.
In addition to the new routes, American is expanding service on 16 existing routes, and you'll find the full list of routes at the bottom of this story. Many of these routes will be upgraded to daily service.
This winter, American plans to operate more than 2,350 peak weekly flights to over 95 destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean, making it the largest U.S. airline in the region.
Though American's presence in the region will be hard to miss, several of its competitors are also expanding down south. This includes recent expansions from Delta and JetBlue. Notably, Delta also recently announced new service to Bridgetown.
Tickets for all routes will be available for sale on the airline's website and mobile app starting May 20.
American's 8 new routes
| Departure | Arrival | Service notes | Aircraft type |
|---|---|---|---|
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) | SVD | New Saturday-only service starting Dec. 7 | Boeing 737 |
MIA | LRM | New daily service starting Dec. 5 | Airbus A319 |
JFK | BGI | New daily service starting Nov. 5 | Boeing 737 |
JFK | UVF | New Saturday-only service starting Dec. 7 | Boeing 737 |
JFK | SXM | New Saturday-only service starting Dec. 7 | Airbus A319 |
JFK | SVD | New Saturday-only service starting Dec. 7 | Boeing 737 |
PHL | BGI | New Saturday-only service starting Nov. 9 | Airbus A321 |
PHL | LIR | New Saturday-only service starting Dec. 7 | Boeing 737 |
American's 16 expanded routes
| Departure | Arrival | Service notes | Aircraft type |
|---|---|---|---|
CLT | V. C. Bird International Airport in Osbourn, Antigua | Increasing to daily service starting Dec. 5 | Boeing 737 |
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) in Chicago | Los Cabos International Airport (SJD) in Mexico | Increasing to twice-daily service between Dec. 19, 2024, and Jan. 6, 2025 | Boeing 737 |
ORD | Lynden Pindling International Airport (NAS) in Nassau, Bahamas | Increasing to daily service starting Dec. 5 | Boeing 737 |
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) | Palmerola International Airport (XPL) in Comayagua, Honduras | Increasing to two weekly flights starting Dec. 5 | Boeing 737 |
DFW | Owen Roberts International Airport (GCM) in George Town, Cayman Islands | Increasing to daily service starting Dec. 5 | Boeing 737 |
DFW | Bahias de Huatulco International Airport (HUX) in Mexico | Increasing to daily service starting Dec. 5 | Embraer E175 |
DFW | NAS | Increasing to daily service starting Dec. 5 | Boeing 737 |
DFW | Oaxaca International Airport (OAX) in Mexico | Increasing to twice-daily service starting Nov. 5 | Airbus A320 and A319 |
DFW | Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo International Airport (ZIH) in Mexico | Increasing to daily service starting Dec. 5 | Embraer E175 |
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) | SJD | Increasing to twice-daily service between Dec. 19, 2024, and Jan. 6, 2025 | Airbus A321 |
MIA | Bonaire International Airport (BON) near Kralendijk | Increasing to daily service starting Dec. 5 | Boeing 737 |
MIA | Cancun International Airport (CUN) in Mexico | Increasing to six daily flights between Dec. 19, 2024, and Jan. 6, 2025 | Boeing 737 |
MIA | Ian Fleming International Airport (OCJ) in Ocho Rios, Jamaica | Increasing to daily service starting Dec. 5 | Embraer E175 |
MIA | Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport (EIS) on Tortola in the British Virgin Islands | Increasing to five peak-day flights starting Dec. 7 | Embraer E175 |
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) | CUN | Increasing to two daily flights starting Nov. 5 | Airbus A321 and Boeing 737 |
PHX | Puerto Vallarta International Airport (PVR) in Mexico | Increasing to three daily flights starting Nov. 5 | Boeing 737 |
Related reading:
- Your ultimate guide to American Airlines AAdvantage
- Best credit cards for American Airlines flyers
- American Airlines elite status: What it is and how to earn it
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- Everything you need to know about flying basic economy on American Airlines
Featured image by ZACH GRIFF/THE POINTS GUY
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.
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Go to reviewCard Rating is based on the opinion of TPG‘s editors and is not influenced by the card issuer.
Rewards Rate
| 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. |
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$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
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 $6,000 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.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.