Latest news with #AmericanAirlines'
Miami Herald
6 hours ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Thinking of getting away? A new direct flight debuts at Miami airport
Have the storms and flooding the first few days of hurricane season got you thinking of heading out of town? You may want to get over to MIA, pronto. American Airlines debuts a nonstop flight to Rome on Thursday. American Airlines' first nonstop flight between Miami International Airport and Rome's Fiumicino Airport is scheduled to depart MIA at 7:45 p.m. June 5. The roughly 10-hour trip will be aboard a Boeing 777-200 aircraft. The airline will run daily service. The flight was originally planned to start in July, but increased demand pushed up the date. Miami to Europe Rome becomes the fifth city in Europe with direct flights with MIA on American Airlines. The others are Madrid, Barcelona, Paris and London. The flight to Charles de Gaulle Airport operates during the winter. 'We are strengthening our service to Europe,' Juan Carlos Liscano, the airline's vice president of MIA operations, said in an email to the Miami Herald. Other carriers fly between MIA and Italy. British Airways and Lufthansa have direct flights to Rome although not every day. Condor has service four times a week. American Airlines and MIA As MIA's largest airline, American is betting on the airport's continued growth. 'American Airlines continues to double down on Miami,' Liscano said. The carrier, which says it has about 15,000 employees based at MIA, is flying its largest summer schedule ever out of Florida's second busiest airport, and for the second straight year. Between May 16 and Sept. 2, American will operate more than 37,200 flights from MIA, about 336 per day. That's an increase of 3% in flights compared to the same period in 2024. The number of flights is also expected to grow next year with American the official North American Supplier of the FIFA World Cup and with Miami is one of the host cities. Other locales seeing more flight frequency from MIA on American this summer include: ▪ Chicago O'Hare: 8 flights daily, up from 7 daily ▪ Las Vegas: 4 flights daily, up from 3 ▪ Montego Bay: 3 flights daily, up from 2 ▪ Charleston: 3 flights daily, up from 2 ▪ Los Angeles: 8 flights daily, up from 7 ▪ New York La Guardia: 10 flights daily, up from 9 American is also adding new year-round service to Salt Lake City. And if you're looking to stay closer to home, American will start service from MIA to Sarasota-Bradenton in November.
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Travel + Leisure
2 days ago
- Business
- Travel + Leisure
American Airlines Debuts New Amenity Kits With an Iconic Hollywood Designer
American Airlines' amenity kits are getting a Hollywood makeover. In a limited-edition release, the airline will debut three new styles by celebrity designer Brandon Blackwood, whose styles have been worn by stars like Beyoncé, Jennifer Lopez, Lucy Liu, Megan Thee Stallion, and Heidi Klum. 'I remember how excited I would get as a child, racing to find my seat and eagerly searching for the amenity kits,' the 33-year-old trending fashion designer told Travel + Leisure, noting that he often traveled and moved around the world since his stepdad was in banking. 'Each kit felt like a little treasure trove, filled with varied, thoughtfully designed items that brought me so much joy and curiosity.' His goal while taking on this collaboration was to 'recreate that same feeling of excitement and wonder,' aiming for styles that meld functionality with whimsy. 'I wanted every kit to spark that sense of curiosity I once had as a child, bringing a smile to travelers,' he added. The complimentary kits will be available on select summer flights starting in mid-June and running through September for passengers in premium classes flying between the U.S. and Asia, Australia, Europe, South America, and the Middle East, as well as on domestic cross-country and Hawaii flights. Premium economy travelers will receive a blue-and-white pouch in Blackwood's trademark checkered pattern, while those in Flagship business will be treated to a black pouch with red accents including the checkered design on the inside. The most coveted kit will be reserved for Flagship first class passengers, who will receive a mini version of Blackwood's viral Portmore bag, made of denim with a wrap-around zipper. 'The Portmore backpack holds a special place in my heart as one of the very first styles I created and the bag that truly put us on the map,' Blackwood said. He scaled down the design for the airline as an ode to his brand's 10th anniversary. 'It was a journey to take such an iconic bag and reimagine it for this significant moment in our history—this feels like a rebirth of a classic.' Brandon Blackwood with the his full American Airlines amenity kits. Lexi Lambro/American Airlines Inside each kit will be a curated selection of skincare products, including Buttah lip balm and towelette and Pholk lotion. The collaboration is the second of the Texas-based carrier's limited-edition kits, which started in 2024 with women-owned B Corp company Raven & Lily in partnership with Stand Up to Cancer and helped raise $4.3 million for the nonprofit. The opportunity marks a profound moment for Blackwood, who was on the 2024 Time 100 list for revolutionizing the fashion industry with the End Systemic Racism tote. 'Being a first to do something is always such a milestone, especially at this scale,' Blackwood told T+L of the opportunity as a Black designer to work with a brand like American Airlines, which he's long adored. 'Every first my brand has done has helped spotlight other brands of those that look like myself. It gives hope, spreads awareness, and shows that there is so much overlooked talent that's waiting to show up and show out.' For those who have long supported his brand, he hopes they'll 'feel a sense of pride and see a reflection of both themselves and our brand in the kits,' while he hopes those happening upon his designs for the first time will see the kits as a 'warm welcome…inviting everyone to share this beautiful experience together.' The partnership is a choice that the airline is excited to bring to their passengers for the summer travel season. 'Brandon's bold, fashion-forward designs are the perfect addition to our amenity kit collection, especially as we see our premium customers skewing younger, which is in line with Gen Z investing in luxury items and experiences,' the airline's chief customer officer Heather Garboden said in a statement obtained by T+L.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
I Flew on Fiji Airways' New Nonstop Route from Dallas to Nadi: Here's What It Was Like
All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by Condé Nast Traveler editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, Condé Nast may earn an affiliate commission. Fiji Airways For years, the only direct flights from the US to Fiji departed from the West Coast. For folks on the country's East Coast, this meant taking a 6-hour transcontinental flight before even starting the 11-hour trip. But now, it's gotten a whole lot easier for Americans to reach the stunning South Pacific islands. This December, Fiji Airways, the nation's flagship carrier, launched a nonstop 13-hour flight from Dallas-Fort Worth International (DFW) to Nadi International Airport (NAN). This April, Fiji Airways also launched a direct route this April connecting Nadi with Cairns, the gateway to Australia's Great Barrier Reef. When combined with the new Dallas flight, American travelers can now shave off a whopping three hours of average travel time when flying to Queensland's Great Barrier Reef region. Plus, the airline recently joined the Oneworld Alliance allowing for more codeshare flights, and—in a move to specifically lure more US travelers—also adopted American Airlines' AAdvantage loyalty program, literally allowing fliers to earn miles as if they're on an AA flight. The integration makes Fiji "so much more accessible not just to Americans, but anybody who's an AAdvantage member,' Kamal Haer, American Airlines' chief sales and marketing officer, tells Condé Nast Traveler. Since Fiji Airways's route network has historically been more localized, Americans may not be as familiar with the onboard experience. To try out the airline's US routes and seat products, I flew with the carrier from Dallas to Fiji in business class and returned in economy on the Nadi to Los Angeles route. My flight from Newark Liberty International (EWR) to Dallas felt like a quick commuter flight. Upon landing in Texas, all I had to do was ride the airport train over one terminal and I was already at the Fiji Airways gate, without having to go through security again. With my business class seat, I was granted to access to the American Airlines Flagship Lounge, where a Piper-Heidsieck champagne stand greeted me by the entrance, along with an impressive chef-driven buffet—including a red miso and Tonkotsu broth bar, house-made sushi, and paneer tikka masala, with craft-your-own Texas margarita and Bloody Mary stations to boot. Soon, it was time for me to board the 10:50 p.m. flight, which operates on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Entering the brightly-lit business cabin with a soft purple hue, I felt like I had already been transported to Fiji. The cheerful flight attendant doted on me with the local welcoming 'bula' spirit, kindly asking the proper pronunciation of my name before addressing me. Overhead, Fijian music lulled me into a relaxed mindset, as I caught lyrics describing the 'stars over Fiji." I opened up the amenity kit emblazoned with traditional Fijian patterns to find socks, an eye mask, dental kit, pen, and Teaology tea-infused body cream. Settling into one of 33 lie-flat seats in business on the Airbus A350-900 XWB, the private alcove was cozy for my 5-foot-6 frame. My window seat was situated diagonally for plenty of legroom, and just enough width for me to shift to my side when laying down. The adjustable aisle-side armrest opened up into a storage unit, where a bottle of water and headphones were waiting. An eco-friendly bag contained a pillow and blanket. In addition to a built-in reading light, the window-side space had a magazine storage rack, and two more compartments: one for storage and another that contained electronic outlets (one traditional electrical plug and two USB-As). I then moved my attention to the menu selection card at my seat, and ordered an appetizer of grilled prawn (other choices were harissa hummus and pea watercress soup), and Fijian BBQ chicken (seared halibut salad, Reuben sandwich, and mushroom ravioli were also offered). Meals could be topped off with a dessert of pineapple and mango sorbet, ice cream, or a tropical fruit bowl. Not long after take-off, mixed dry snacks were served and an attendant brought around a card with a code to redeem free onboard Wi-Fi, a perk for all business passengers. Though I was able to log on quickly—and even load up some video clips of SNL as it aired—the further we got into the Pacific Ocean, the spottier the service became. Through my sleepy state, I made it through the generous appetizer and entree, especially appreciating the flavorful chicken sauce. But ultimately, I couldn't fight my heavy eyelids, and the next thing I knew, I had slept through the sorbet I had been craving. When I woke up, there were only four hours left to go on the flight. I spent the last few hours heeding my physical therapist's advice to walk as much as possible, enjoying the coconut-scented bathroom soap and lotion and browsing the snack basket, with a standard selection of Sun Chips, Oreos and M&Ms. I also channel-hopped through its entertainment system with a delightfully curated list of TV and movies, like Wonka, Inception, and You've Got Mail, plus Bollywood, Asian Cinema, and Lailai Kids' World selections. A chose to watch a few short videos introducing Fiji, including one about the Sigatoka River Safari, a tour operator started by a chance meeting in 1991 between an Australian and local Fijian. Before long, I was being offered a pre-breakfast hot towel, which doubled as aromatherapy. When I inquired what the scent was, I was surprised to learn it was pineapple! I enjoyed my breakfast of chia pudding, croissant bread pudding with apricot, and tropical fruit bowl. Just as I was getting comfortable, an announcement was made, saying, 'Welcome home," greeting visitors to the nation of more than 300 islands. For my return trip, I flew in Fiji Airway's economy class. Since the Dallas flight operates three days a week and I was traveling on a Monday, I had to instead take its nonstop route to Los Angeles. I chose a 'Bula Space' XL Seat that promised more space, though I ended up having to board near the end in Boarding Group J. One hour in, we were given more standard cafeteria-style eats, with a choice of a chicken panini, veggie wrap, or sausage roll. When the passenger in front of me reclined, my knees skimmed the seat, leaving me wondering just how tight the normal seats are. The main Economy Class cabin is laid out in a 3-3-3 configuration, offering 31- to 32-inch seat pitch and a 6 degree recline, and 12-inch entertainment monitors. Meanwhile, the 'Bula Space' seats have a pitch of 34 inches. All in all, the economy cabin felt a bit dated, especially on this full flight, perhaps because of its fabric seats. But despite the cramped space, I must have been relatively comfortable because I ended up dozing through most of the flight. Two and a half hours before landing, a basic breakfast of scrambled eggs, potato hash, and tomato, was served. Last year, Fiji Airways debuted an elevated dining experience called the Chef's Table, located inside the Fiji Airways Premier Lounge at Nadi International Airport. But unlike many elite airline lounge restaurants, this one is open to all passengers, regardless of cabin class. A reservation costs approximately $150 Fijian dollars per person (about $67 USD)—a bargain for this level of exclusivity. There is only one lunch service (at 1 p.m.) and one dinner session (at 6:30 p.m.) per day, with each session limited to 8 guests, so be sure to book in advance. After checking into the lounge, I was escorted into a nondescript back room and served a four-course farm-to-table meal, with the chef coming out to explain each course. The menu evolves every few months: this one was themed around fire and smoke, and sugar and spice. I never thought one of the best meals I had in Fiji would be at the airport, but its creative takes on traditional dishes was done so masterfully. My favorite: Coconut, prepared four ways, with young coconut noodles, arancini made with lolo (coconut cream or milk), coconut apple, and a coconut water shot—a mouth-watering warm-up to the seafood appetizer, lamb main course, and house-made curry leaf and cardamom ice cream. It was all offered along with drink pairings, from cocktails to white and red wines. With this level of detail, it was well worth the price tag. Book now with Fiji Airways Originally Appeared on Condé Nast Traveler The Latest Travel News and Advice Want to be the first to know? Sign up to our newsletters for travel inspiration and tips Stop Counting the Countries You Visit How Safe Is Flying Today? 5 Things Experts Want Travelers to Know The Best Places to See the Northern Lights Worldwide
CNBC
22-05-2025
- Business
- CNBC
American Airlines CFO says some travelers are avoiding Newark airport
American Airlines' chief financial officer said Thursday that some travelers are avoiding Newark Liberty International Airport for other options in the area after a spate of recent disruptions, but cautioned that the impact is "modest." "There probably is some amount of book-away from Newark flights over into LaGuardia, JFK, maybe Philadelphia to a lesser extent," CFO Devon May said at the Wolfe Research conference. The Federal Aviation Administration this week ordered airlines to temporarily cut flights at Newark to relieve congestion there as carriers grapple with a shortage of air traffic controllers, equipment outages and runway construction at the New Jersey airport. Bad weather has also added to disruptions in recent weeks. American has a roughly 4% market share at Newark, according to the most recent data from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, which operates the airport along with LaGuardia Airport and John F. Kennedy International Airport, both in Queens, New York. "There's something happening there, but I think it's relatively modest when you think of the broader network," American's May said. United Airlines dwarfs all other airlines at Newark with its nearly 70% share. That carrier had proactively announced cuts of 35 flights a day earlier this month to put more slack in the system. Earlier this month, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the U.S. will spend billions to overhaul the aging U.S. air traffic control system. President Donald Trump's tax bill, which passed the House early Thursday includes $12.5 billion for air traffic control modernization and staffing.
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
American Airlines Announces Return of Sarasota-Miami Route
American Airlines is one of the largest airlines in the U.S., and the company has a rich history that dates back to 1926. That year, aviator Charles A. Lindbergh, the chief pilot of Robertson Aircraft Corporation, started American Airlines when he "stowed a bag of mail in his DH-4 biplane" and flew from St. Louis to Chicago, according to the airline. Today, American Airlines serves more than 60 countries across the world and is a founding member of the oneworld Alliance, whose member airlines "work together to deliver consistently a superior, seamless travel experience, with special privileges and rewards for frequent flyers, including earning and redeeming miles and points across the entire alliance network." With so much history, American has changed up its routes a lot over the past nearly 100 years. Now, the airline has announced that it's bringing back a popular route that has been unavailable for 16 years. American Airlines will launch daily non-stop service from Sarasota Bradenton international Airport in Sarasota, FL, to Miami, FL, starting November 3, 2025. The daily flights will be on a 76-seat Embraer 175 jet that offers first class, a main cabin extra and a main cabin, according to the airline. The Miami flight will be American Airlines' sixth nonstop destination from the Sarasota Bradenton International Airport. "American is pleased to connect Sarasota with our Miami hub," Jordan Pack, American's director of domestic network planning, said in a statement about the announcement. "Miami is our gateway to Latin America and the Caribbean, and with this service, customers will be able to connect to more than 60 destinations in the region to explore vibrant Puerto Rico, relax on the beaches of Aruba, or taste the coffee in Colombia and much more." American Airlines' corporate headquarters are in Fort Worth, Texas. The airline employs 130,000 team members around the world.
