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American Airlines adds 8 new routes, including Punta Cana service from 4 US cities

Sean CudahySenior Aviation Reporter
Sean Cudahy is an aviation reporter covering news about airlines, frequent flyer programs and consumer travel issues.

March 26, 2025 • 5 min read

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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.

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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.

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.

Waldorf Astoria Cancun. SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY

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).

Flagship Business on an American Airlines Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY

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:

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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