• American Airlines Tile
    American Airlines
    IATA/ICAO Code:
    AA/AAL
    Airline Type:
    Full Service Carrier
    Hub(s):
    Charlotte Douglas International Airport, Chicago O'Hare International Airport, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Miami International Airport, New York JFK Airport, LaGuardia Airport, Philadelphia International Airport, Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
    Year Founded:
    1926
    Alliance:
    oneworld
    CEO:
    Robert Isom
    Country:
    United States
    Airline Group:
    American Airlines Group
    Region:
    North America
    Loyalty Program:
    AAdvantage

American Airlines has requested permission to engage in scheduled commercial services between Miami International Airport (MIA) and five Cuban cities following the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) lifting of flight restrictions established during the Trump administration. Where does American Airlines want to fly? Let’s find out.

American Airlines’ incoming services

The US carrier wants to add new services to the Latin America and Caribbean region. If approved, starting in November, American Airlines would resume scheduled service to non-Havana points in Cuba.

American plans to commence the following services:

  1. One year-round daily frequency between Miami and Holguín (Frank País Airport, HOG), starting on November 4.
  2. One year-round daily frequency between MIA and Matanzas/Varadero (Juan Gualberto Gómez Airport, VRA), starting on November 3.
  3. Two year-round daily frequencies between Miami and Santa Clara (Abel Santamaría Airport, SNU), starting on November 3, 2022.
  4. One year-round daily frequency between Miami and Camagüey (Ignacio Agramonte International Airport, CMW), starting on November 4.
  5. One year-round daily frequency between Miami and Santiago de Cuba (Antonio Maceo Airport, SCU), starting on November 5.

Overall, American Airlines would have 12 daily flights between Miami and Cuba by November. Currently, the airline operates six daily services from MIA to Havana International Airport (HAV). It is the largest operator between the United States and Cuba, with 46% of the market share.

An American Airlines Boeing 737-800 flying near Miami International Airport.
Charlotte Douglas International Airport is a major hub for American Airlines. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying.

The aircraft

American Airlines proposes to operate its services from Miami to Santa Clara, Holguín, and Varadero with the 172-seat Boeing 737-800 aircraft. This aircraft has a three-class configuration, with 16 business seats, 30 main cabin extra seats, and 126 economy seats.

Meanwhile, the services from Miami to Camagüey and Santiago e Cuba will be operated with the 128-seat Airbus A319 aircraft. This plane has a three-class configuration with eight business seats, 24 main cabin extra seats, and 96 economy seats.

An American Airlines Boeing 737-800 flying near Miami International Airport.
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying.

DOT is making it easier for Americans to travel to Cuba

Earlier this month, the US DOT lifted the flight restrictions imposed during the Trump administration in 2019, making it easier for Americans to travel to Cuba.

The restrictions prevented US airline flights and chartered flights from going to Cuban cities other than Havana. The Trump administration said the reason to ban US flights to all Cuban cities but Havana was to prevent tourism to Cuba, which is barred by US law.

Currently, American Airlines, JetBlue, and Southwest Airlines are the only three carriers operating flights to Havana. There are 91 weekly services between the United States and Cuba, 13 flights per day.

In June 2018, 41.3% more flights and 29.1% more seats were available on flights to Cuba. Moreover, the market has lost 14 additional routes operated by United Airlines (two), Delta Air Lines (three), JetBlue (three), and American Airlines (five).

Secretary of State Antony Blinken said opening up flights to Cuba was “in support of the Cuban people and in the foreign policy interests of the United States.” He said that once the Transportation Department followed through on his request, “scheduled and charter air services between the United States and Cuban airports may resume effective immediately.”

Would you be interested in flying to Cuba from Miami? Let us know in the comments below.