American Airlines to Launch Its Longest Route with New Australia Flight

09.02.2024 - 13:40 / travelandleisure.com / Brian Znotins

American Airlines is getting ready to stamp its passport by adding new international flights to Australia, Mexico, and beyond.

Starting on Oct. 27, the Dallas-based carrier will add new flights from Dallas to Brisbane, Australia, marking the carrier’s longest nonstop flight in its network, according to the airline. That same day, American will launch flights from Dallas to Rio de Janeiro and resume winter service from Dallas to Kona in Hawaii.

This summer, the carrier will also add flights from Dallas to Veracruz, Mexico. The new route, which will launch on June 12, will grow American’s peak-day flights to Mexico to more than 105 in 2024.

“American is thrilled to grow our international network to give customers more ways to escape the cold next winter,” Brian Znotins, American’s senior vice president of network and schedule planning said in a statement. “Together with Qantas, customers can enjoy more ways to explore new destinations across one of the most comprehensive networks connecting the United States and the South Pacific.”

The new Australia flights will be operated daily on a Boeing 787-9 aircraft and will feature 51 Flagship Suite seats and 32 Premium Economy seats. Beyond the new route, American’s partnership with Australian carrier Qantas will allow travelers to fly to four major cities in Australia and New Zealand: Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney, and Auckland.

The carrier’s new seasonal flights to Rio de Janeiro and winter flights to Kona will each be operated daily on a Boeing 787-8 aircraft. Travelers heading from Dallas to Veracruz will be on board an Embraer E175 aircraft.

In addition to the new routes, American plans to expand its current service to popular beach destinations this summer, including to Grand Cayman, Turks and Caicos, and St. Thomas in the U.S. Virgin Islands.

American’s international plans come as the carrier revamped its AAdvantage loyalty program, introducing members-only benefits like free same-day standby for domestic flights and free 24-hour ticket holds. The airline will also now allow AAdvantage members who purchase a basic economy ticket directly through the airline to cancel it for a fee and receive a partial trip credit.