American adds 30 flights from Phoenix in confidence boost for legacy hub
American Airlines is (finally) showing some love to its hub at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX).
Beginning in November, the carrier is adding 30 daily departures from PHX for the winter season. This includes a brand-new daily route from PHX to Jacksonville International Airport (JAX), which will commence Nov. 5. Jacksonville will become the airline's fourth nonstop destination from Phoenix in Florida, joining Miami, Orlando and Tampa.
American will deploy an Airbus A320 on the new route to Jacksonville, which also happens to be the first route from Phoenix to this Florida city.
Additionally, American will resume regional jet service from PHX to Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport (ICT) on Nov. 5. This flight, operated by American Eagle subsidiary SkyWest Airlines, will operate on a CRJ-700 on a daily, year-round basis.
All told, the airline will offer more than 12% additional daily flights compared to last winter, making it one of the largest winter schedules American has offered from Phoenix in nearly a decade.
That's great news for Phoenix, which hasn't necessarily seen as much growth as some other American Airlines hubs, such as Charlotte and Dallas-Fort Worth.
American inherited the Phoenix hub from Tempe, Arizona-based US Airways during the merger in 2015, and many analysts consider it the weakest link in the network (behind Philadelphia).
It's clear that local authorities are excited about American's expansion, something that the airport has likely lobbied for over the past few years.
"American's announcement of their largest winter schedule in nearly a decade is wonderful news, and it really speaks to their continued confidence in the Phoenix market. American is an essential business partner, and we couldn't be more pleased with their continued growth and investment in Phoenix," Chad Makovsky, director of aviation services for the City of Phoenix aviation department, said in a statement.
These days, Charlotte and Dallas-Fort Worth seem to get all the attention from American, as the airline keeps expanding in these fortress hubs. In fact, earlier this month, the airline shared plans to grow its Charlotte operation to 800 daily departures. (For context, Phoenix will have, on average, 263 daily departures this winter.)
Boosting service from Phoenix in the winter seemingly makes sense, even if the additional flights aren't necessarily about funneling connections through the Valley of the Sun. That's because Phoenix is a popular destination in the winter due to its mild temperatures and abundant sunshine.
These latest additions join the recently launched service from Phoenix to Monterrey, Mexico, which took off in January.
American also faces competition in Phoenix from Southwest Airlines, which considers the airport one of its operating bases. As such, some of this growth might be designed as a competitive response to the Dallas-based carrier.
American's winter additions from Phoenix
American will add one additional daily flight between Phoenix and the following 27 cities this winter season.
- Albuquerque, New Mexico
- Boise
- Boston
- Dallas-Fort Worth
- Des Moines
- Fresno, California
- Houston
- Jacksonville
- Kansas City, Missouri
- Las Vegas
- Medford, Oregon
- Miami
- Milwaukee
- New York
- Orlando
- Redmond, Oregon
- Sacramento
- San Antonio
- San Diego
- San Francisco
- San Jose, California
- Santa Barbara, California
- Santa Rosa, California
- Spokane, Washington
- St. Louis
- Tulsa, Oklahoma
- Wichita, Kansas
The airline is also adding three daily flights from Phoenix to Tucson, going from six to nine daily flights during the winter peak season.
That said, the airline is pulling down one daily frequency in four markets this winter — Burbank, California; Detroit; Seattle; and Tampa.
Related reading:
- Your ultimate guide to American Airlines AAdvantage
- Best credit cards for American Airlines flyers
- What is American Airlines elite status worth?
- 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
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees