While twice weekly flights operated by regional jets might not appear exciting on the surface, I think these routes are pretty noteworthy.
In this post:
American adds two new Caribbean flights
American Airlines has been expanding its Miami hub significantly in recent months, as the carrier faces increased competition from new entrants into the market, including JetBlue, Southwest, and Spirit. The carrier has now announced two new Caribbean routes, to Anguilla and Dominica.
As of December 11, 2021, American will launch 2x weekly flights between Miami (MIA) and Anguilla (AXA). The 1,221-mile flight will operate with the following schedule on Wednesdays and Saturdays:
AA3780 Miami to Anguilla departing 10:50AM arriving 2:49PM
AA3780 Anguilla to Miami departing 3:40PM arriving 5:53PM
As of December 8, 2021, American will launch 2x weekly flights between Miami (MIA) and Dominica (DOM). The 1,415-mile flight will operate with the following schedule on Wednesdays and Saturdays:
AA3579 Miami to Dominica departing 11:00AM arriving 3:21PM
AA3579 Dominica to Miami departing 4:24PM arriving 6:55PM
Both flights will be operated by American Eagle using Embraer E175 aircraft. These planes feature a total of 76 seats, including 12 first class seats, 20 extra legroom economy seats, and 44 economy seats. Personally I find these jets to be extremely comfortable, on par with mainline aircraft. I love the 1-2 layout in first class, and the 2-2 layout in economy, meaning there are no middle seats.
What makes these new Caribbean routes cool
While two new regional jet routes to the Caribbean might not sound too exciting, both of these are potentially valuable additions. Why? Neither island otherwise has direct service from the United States mainland.
For example, Anguilla is a popular destination for Americans, and has plenty of great hotels, ranging from Cap Juluca (Belmond), to Four Seasons, to Malliouhana (Auberge), to Zemi Beach House (LXR). Up until now if you’ve wanted to get to Anguilla, you’d need to connect through another Caribbean island.
Dominica is an awesome eco-destination based on everything I’ve heard, and I’d love to visit at some point. However, up until now there has been no direct service to the mainland.
The schedules for both of these flights are well timed, and are ideal for planning a three to four day trip to the Caribbean.
Bottom line
American Airlines will be launching twice weekly flights from Miami to both Anguilla and Dominica. These are great new routes, given that both of these are destinations that don’t otherwise have service directly from the United States mainland.
It’s always nice to see destinations become more easily accessible, and that’s exactly what these routes offer.
What do you make of American Airlines’ two new Caribbean routes? Have any OMAAT readers been to Anguilla or Dominica?
This is beautiful. I carry so many bags and items for the family back home in AXA it’s such a hassle. When I take the public ferry, I need extra help. I started taking the private ferry which is much more comfortable but going straight into the island is a game changer.
Awesome news for the Nature Isle of the Caribbean, Dominica! Great to finally have a direct flight to the US. Hope this is the beginning of great things to come!
This is great news for Anguilla! This announcement promises to take the hassle out of traveling to and from Anguilla. I was praying for this day to come, and yes, it will be here soon. Thanks be to the Almighty God!
These are exciting times. I have been visiting Dominica for over 20 years now from Florida and cannot wait to be one of AA first passengers to fly. The nature island will be just a 4 hr trip away. So amazing! Thank you AA for taking this bold step.
This is wonderful news for my beautiful island Anguilla. I work for mainline AA out of New York for 21 years. I were always hoping they would come back to AXA I am so happy for this.
I would love to be part of the team to open the station and help with training, plus I am legal work there.
This is the great news for our beautiful island Anguilla, i am very happy this is pure blessings for the people .Well deserved.
We Jamaicans in Anguilla is also hoping that someone will get tge idea to Fly from Anguilla to Jamaica as Caribbean Airlines (CAL)is not helping out through Sxm since
covid-19.
When I saw the news was very excited for my Beautiful country Dominica. very happy, you would not regret adding this route. will worth every penny. I work for This Company for 25 years finally will be traveling without any stress thank you Doug Parker.
Awesome news for Dominica; can’t wait.
Love this great news
I hate connecting flights
Now so much to visit the Mainland from Dominica to shop and check on family and friends.
With the New International Airport about to be built am sure more carriers will follow.
Thanks AA
Charles L. Ruffner Bashing or complimenting our little unique paradise? We'll take it as a compliment. we're all one Caribbean... we all have our own uniqueness, Yes... we have have some of the most beautiful plain and simple sandy beaches, did I mention our beautiful turquoise waters? Great for snorkeling/diving... 33 of them to be exact. There's alot to do in Anguilla, just have your hotel concierge assist you.
On the other hand this is...
Charles L. Ruffner Bashing or complimenting our little unique paradise? We'll take it as a compliment. we're all one Caribbean... we all have our own uniqueness, Yes... we have have some of the most beautiful plain and simple sandy beaches, did I mention our beautiful turquoise waters? Great for snorkeling/diving... 33 of them to be exact. There's alot to do in Anguilla, just have your hotel concierge assist you.
On the other hand this is awesome news both for Anguilla and Dominica. I've worked with guest and they shared their experiences getting to Anguilla esp through SXM, sometimes it can be quite a challenge esp for those who really don't like ferries.
I'm *hyped* for that Dominica flight. Not a turboprop + eliminating the SJU connection + much more reasonable flight times than the Seabourne flight = pure awesomeness.
Tortola should be the next destination form Miami. Tortola lacks nonstop mainline service.
That is fantastic news for getting to Dominica.
Awesome news! I think they used to fly there from their defunct SJU hub. It's about time they added these cities. I'm sure these flights will be successful.
Anguilla is a very plain and simple island. Mostly just sand.
Dominica is one of the lushest islands in the world. Very green with lush foliage. Last remaining Carib Indian Villages on the island. They will carve a world class canoe for you from a single giant tree trunk, and it will take you around the world!
@Ryan,
Press release said Monday, 26th they'll be available for booking.
For those of you wondering the flight to Dominica stars December 8th and Anguilla December 11th.
I just tried to book a reservation, and don’t see the flights on aa.com yet. Any idea when they will be?
It is available now.
This is awesome. I have been looking at Anguilla for quite some time. SXM has a ton of flights, but the boat ride over to Anguilla was not necessarily something I looked forward to - especially if it were a late night arrival.
Anguilla has so many nice properties. I especially love how the island is just....not interested in inviting brands like Walmart, Hilton, IHG, McDonalds, Marriott, Disney, Norwegian Cruise Lines, etc
In the debate...
This is awesome. I have been looking at Anguilla for quite some time. SXM has a ton of flights, but the boat ride over to Anguilla was not necessarily something I looked forward to - especially if it were a late night arrival.
Anguilla has so many nice properties. I especially love how the island is just....not interested in inviting brands like Walmart, Hilton, IHG, McDonalds, Marriott, Disney, Norwegian Cruise Lines, etc
In the debate over Turks & Caicos vs Anguilla - Anguilla just got a +1
Correction: The LXR property in Anguilla is Zemi Beach House (staying there in a couple of weeks).
Anguilla is a fantastic addition, a small, uncrowded, island with fantastic restaurants, hotels, and beaches.. The only previous (reasonable) options were to fly to SXM and take the ferry over or to connect through SJU.
Domenica has been on our list , but we didn't want the hassle and expenseof overnightng in Puerto Rico. This is fabulous news!
This seems to make Avios more valuable to the extent one has any desire to regularly travel to the Caribbean. I hadn’t really focused on the Caribbean till American started adding these new destinations. I think for Dominica you can fly JetBlue, but that is through Puerto Rico. I know Avios are distance based and these new destinations may not be in the shortest distance group but will likely still be a great use of Avios compared to their cash price.