American introduces exciting new Caribbean destination while cutting its transcontinental Miami route in a major network overhaul

American Airlines has made a series of significant adjustments to its flight routes.

The Fort Worth-based airline is launching one brand-new international route and adding two additional flights from New York’s LaGuardia (LGA). At the same time, it will eliminate a prominent transcontinental route from Miami and reduce its long-haul services to London this winter.

These adjustments were initially spotted in Cirium schedules and were later confirmed by a spokesperson for the airline.

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You can find all the details regarding American's updates below, now fully reflected in the carrier’s online schedule.

American adds new service to South Caicos, Turks and Caicos Islands

The major highlight is American’s new addition to its route map: South Caicos Airport (XSC) in the Turks and Caicos Islands.

The new flight will commence on February 15, 2025, and operate twice a week—on Wednesdays and Saturdays—from American's Caribbean hub at Miami International Airport (MIA).

A 76-seat Embraer 175 regional jet will be used for this new 628-mile service.

Flights will depart Miami at 10:05 a.m. and reach South Caicos at 12:27 p.m. The return flight will leave at 1:44 p.m. and return to Miami at 3:55 p.m.

As American’s gateway to Latin America, Miami now offers travelers from over 75 cities in the U.S. and Canada direct access to a previously unserved destination in the Turks and Caicos.

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"American has been flying to the Turks and Caicos for over 30 years, and we are excited to launch the only nonstop service from the U.S. to South Caicos beginning next February. This new route will provide North American travelers quicker and easier access to this beautiful island and everything it has to offer," said Jason Reisinger, American’s Managing Director of Global Network Planning, in a statement.

Until now, U.S. travelers heading to the Turks and Caicos have typically flown into Providenciales International Airport (PLS), the island's capital and primary international gateway.

The South Caicos area is home to popular resorts such as the Sailrock Resort and will soon welcome a new Marriott Luxury Collection hotel opening next year.

The Salterra Turks & Caicos is set to open on February 15 and is expected to be a hit with Bonvoy members, especially with the new nonstop flight service to the island.

American expands its LaGuardia routes with two new destinations

Last month, American introduced a series of new routes from its New York LaGuardia Airport (LGA) hub, and now the airline is adding two more Florida routes for the upcoming winter season.

American will begin new flights from LaGuardia to Fort Myers and Tampa starting November 5.

These seasonal winter routes will be available through May 4, 2025. Tampa will have two daily flights, while Fort Myers will operate once a day.

American told TPG that the addition of these routes aims to "offer our customers greater access to warm-weather destinations."

To add flights at the capacity-limited LaGuardia, American must secure slots, or takeoff and landing rights, for each flight. Since these slots can't be acquired on a whim, it’s typically a competitive process when airlines add services at airports with slot restrictions like LaGuardia.

So, where is American obtaining these slots? The airline is primarily using slots it had previously lent to JetBlue as part of the Northeast Alliance. (American is also cutting its once-daily winter route from LaGuardia to Grand Rapids, Michigan.)

Since the partnership was ruled anti-competitive by a federal judge last year, JetBlue had to return American’s slots as part of the decommissioning process.

Slots are usually on a use-it-or-lose-it basis, so if American didn’t add new routes, it risked losing these valuable slots.

While American could "slot squat" by launching short and relatively low-cost regional flights (like from LGA to Hartford), the airline appears to believe it can generate revenue with some of these sought-after winter destinations.

In June, American introduced winter seasonal routes from LaGuardia to New Orleans, as well as Florida cities including Orlando, Sarasota, and West Palm Beach.

American discontinues transcontinental route from Miami

Earlier this year, American launched a new transcontinental route connecting Miami to Orange County, California.

Flights began on January 8, but they will be ending — just eight months later — on August 5.

"As part of our 2024 capacity growth evaluation, American has made the tough decision to end service between Miami (MIA) and Orange County (SNA)," American told TPG in a statement.

This 2,310-mile route was introduced as American expanded its presence in Miami, where it’s been facing increased competition from rivals like Delta and Spirit, both of whom have recently added new routes and destinations from Miami.

In fact, this was the third new transcontinental route from Miami for American. The airline also introduced flights to Portland, Oregon, on November 5, 2023, followed by service to Sacramento on December 20, 2023.

American will maintain service on both of these transcontinental routes. However, it seems that the Orange County route didn't perform as expected. South Florida passengers heading to Orange County can now either fly nonstop to Los Angeles and drive or connect via one of American's hubs across the U.S.

Beach, please: American introduces new routes and flights in its largest-ever Caribbean expansion

American reduces its London service

American made several adjustments to its long-haul network this weekend, particularly focusing on its Heathrow Airport (LHR) operations.

The airline will suspend its Phoenix to London flights for the winter and eliminate one of its three daily Los Angeles to London flights.

Both changes will be implemented starting October 27.

London serves as American’s main European hub for connections through its partner British Airways’ operations, but these cuts aren’t severe since BA will continue daily service between PHX and LHR as part of their transatlantic joint venture.

American shares revenue with British Airways on its transatlantic routes, and it’s likely the decision to scale back London service from L.A. and Phoenix was made in collaboration with its partner across the Atlantic.

"As part of our ongoing network evaluation, American Airlines will make adjustments to its service from London (LHR). Alongside our partner British Airways, we’ll maintain service from over 25 U.S. cities to LHR," American told TPG.