TLDR
- American Airlines launching new routes to Cancun, Punta Cana, Hawaii, South America and Europe
- Oklahoma City to Cancun service starts November 8, 2025, with four new routes to Punta Cana beginning December 6
- AAL plans to operate over 270 daily flights to Mexico, Caribbean, and Latin America this winter
- Alaska Airlines (owned by ALK) also expanding with Seattle-Seoul route starting September 12
- Jefferies downgraded AAL to Hold from Buy, lowering price target from $20 to $12
American Airlines Group Inc. (AAL) has announced a major expansion of its flight network even as analysts at Jefferies downgraded the carrier’s stock. The airline is adding new international and domestic routes while a key Wall Street firm has reduced its outlook on the company’s near-term prospects.
Starting November 8, 2025, American will launch international service from Oklahoma City (OKC) to Cancun, Mexico (CUN). This marks the first time any carrier has provided such connectivity from Oklahoma.
The Saturday-only service will utilize Boeing 737 aircraft. The airline is also adding four new routes to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic (PUJ).
These new Punta Cana routes will originate from Indianapolis (IND), Nashville (BNA), Pittsburgh (PIT), and Raleigh-Durham (RDU). All are scheduled to begin December 6, 2025, with Saturday-only service.
Domestic Expansion
American is also growing its domestic network. The carrier will introduce new nonstop services from Los Angeles (LAX) to Des Moines, Iowa (DSM) starting October 6.
From the same date, American will also begin service from Phoenix (PHX) to Little Rock, Arkansas (LIT). This continues the airline’s strategy of connecting major hubs to mid-sized markets.
A new seasonal service between Charlotte, North Carolina (CLT) and Aspen, Colorado (ASE) will begin December 19. This represents American’s first-ever nonstop flight between these two cities.
Hawaii and South America
American plans to expand service from Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) to Hawaii. This includes resuming service to Kona (KOA) and expanded flights to Kahului (OGG).
The airline will also offer more than 15 daily flights between the continental United States and Hawaii. This includes the previously announced winter service between Chicago (ORD) and Honolulu (HNL).
For South American travelers, American will provide up to four daily flights between Miami (MIA) and Buenos Aires, Argentina (EZE) from December 2025 through January 2026. The airline will also offer up to 10 weekly flights between DFW and Sao Paulo (GRU).
In total, American expects to operate more than 270 daily flights to destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean, and Latin America from the United States this winter. This extensive network reinforces American’s position as a leading carrier for beach vacations.
Brian Znotins, Senior Vice President of Network Planning at American Airlines, explained the strategy: “American’s comprehensive global network is designed to give customers more access to the destinations they want to visit.”
“Together with new routes, more flights on popular routes and extended seasons to major destinations, American’s schedule is designed for travelers to get away to sun, sand and more next winter,” Znotins added.
American isn’t the only carrier expanding internationally. Alaska Airlines, a subsidiary of Alaska Air Group (ALK), will launch a new nonstop service between Seattle and Seoul Incheon on September 12.
These flights will be operated by Hawaiian Airlines, which Alaska Air acquired last year. The service will use a long-haul, widebody Airbus A330-200 aircraft.
Alaska Air aims to serve at least 12 nonstop international destinations with widebody aircraft from Seattle by 2030. The company’s Seattle hub is currently the largest airline hub on the West Coast.
Analyst Downgrade
Despite these expansion plans, Jefferies has downgraded American Airlines to Hold from Buy. The firm also reduced its price target from $20 to $12.
Jefferies lowered its Q1 and Q2 estimates for American. The analyst cited March exit rates pressuring summer performance as both corporate and consumer sentiment remain soft amid “swelling macro uncertainty.”
The firm also expects that Southwest (LUV) and Air Canada (ACDVF) will need to cut their 2025 outlooks. Jefferies believes Delta (DAL) will likely follow suit.
This analyst action comes at a challenging time for American as it implements its network expansion strategy. The downgrade suggests Wall Street has concerns about the airline’s near-term financial performance despite its route growth.
American Airlines shares were down 1.40% at the time of the report’s publication on April 1, 2025.
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