American Airlines adds 8 new routes, including Punta Cana service from 4 US cities
American Airlines is planning a big expansion in the Dominican Republic.
Next winter, the Fort Worth, Texas-based carrier will launch four new nonstop routes to the popular vacation destination of Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic — home to a slew of resorts, including the first all-inclusive W property (part of the Marriott Bonvoy portfolio), which is set to open in a matter of weeks.
American's winter 2025-26 schedule also includes a new flight to Cancun, Mexico, which marks the first international service from the state of Oklahoma.
Bargain hunting: When is the best time to book flights for the cheapest airfare?
And, for those who prefer a ski getaway to a beach come the colder months, there's a new link to Colorado's ski country.
All told, American unveiled eight new routes for next winter, building on new flights TPG already reported — including the return of Chicago-to-Honolulu service and a new link between its Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) home base and Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA) in Hawaii.
American's 8 new routes
The biggest news in American's winter route drop Wednesday features four new nonstop flights between the U.S. and Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ).
All have a lot in common: They'll run once each week on Saturdays, starting Dec. 6, and link the Dominican Republic with a medium-size U.S. city — none of which are hubs for American.
Read more: The credit card that offers complimentary Admirals Club membership
Those routes include Punta Cana flights from:
- Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
- Nashville International Airport (BNA)
- Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)
- Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)
American will have competition on just two of those routes. Southwest Airlines operates a limited number of flights to PUJ from BNA. Avelo Airlines recently made RDU-PUJ one of its inaugural international routes.
New Cancun service
Another winner in Wednesday's announcement: Oklahoma City's Will Rogers International Airport (OKC).
Beginning Nov. 8, American will launch weekly Saturday service to Cancun International Airport (CUN) — also with a 737.
This will offer Oklahomans an international flight that's long evaded the Sooner state, which the airport celebrated on social media Wednesday.
3 new domestic routes
Three new domestic routes are also joining American's schedule this winter, most notably nonstop flights beginning Dec. 19 between its Charlotte hub and the popular ski town of Aspen, Colorado.
The routes include:
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Iowa's Des Moines International Airport (DSM), launches Oct. 6
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) to Little Rock, Arkansas' Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport (LIT) in a route that American last flew in 2021, launches Oct. 6
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) to Aspen/Pitkin County Airport (ASE), launches Dec. 19
Boosted service
American on Wednesday also revealed it will boost its service to a handful of international destinations that are popular in the wintertime.
The carrier will add a second daily nonstop flight from DFW to Kahului Airport (OGG) on Maui on Nov. 22. And in December, it'll add additional weekly flights to South America, including its DFW service to Sao Paulo/Guarulhos International Airport (GRU) and from its Miami International Airport (MIA) hub to Buenos Aires, Argentina's Ezeiza International Airport (EZE).
Meanwhile, the airline will extend its seasonal service from New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) to Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport (BCN) through Dec. 2.
Its Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) link to Athens International Airport (ATH) in Greece will run through Nov. 17.
DFW to Dublin Airport (DUB) flights will last through the winter holidays.
Those latter moves come as airlines, in recent years, have reported travelers have been more willing to venture across the Atlantic to Europe during the colder months previously thought to be off-peak travel periods.
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
Rewards
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
Rewards Rate
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Intro Offer
Earn 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200K miles when you spend $150K in the first 6 monthsLIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus milesAnnual Fee
$395Recommended 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.740-850Excellent
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month