News Summary
American Airlines is enhancing its flight services from Phoenix to Florida, introducing a new route to Fort Lauderdale and increasing daily flights to Tampa and Miami. This expansion aims to meet the rising demand during the holiday season, marking a 50% increase in overall seat availability. The new routes, starting in December, will enhance connectivity and provide more choices for travelers in Arizona. With the airline already being the largest carrier at Phoenix Sky Harbor, these developments further solidify its commitment to servicing the local community.
Phoenix, Arizona – American Airlines is expanding its flight options for travelers in Arizona looking to visit Florida during the holiday season. Starting December 18, 2025, a new route will connect Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport to Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. In addition to this new route, the airline will increase its service to Tampa and Miami, adding a third daily flight to Tampa International Airport and a seventh daily flight to Miami International Airport, effective the same day. Furthermore, American will introduce a new route from Sky Harbor to Southwest Florida International Airport in Fort Myers, with initial flights anticipated to begin in December.
These developments signify a substantial increase in flight capacity for travelers between Arizona and Florida, with a total increase of 50% in seat availability. The enhancements aim to accommodate the surge of travelers typically seen during the busy holiday season, with expectations of significant demand.
Sophia Philis-Ortiz, vice president of American’s Phoenix operation, emphasized that these new flight offerings manifest the airline’s dedication to better serving local travelers by providing more connections to popular destinations. With American Airlines recognized as the largest carrier at Phoenix Sky Harbor, the airline reportedly transported over 21 million passengers to and from the airport in 2024. Notably, December remains a peak month for the airline, with approximately 1.9 million passengers flying during this time, making it the third-busiest month of the year for American Airlines.
Travelers can purchase tickets for these new Florida routes via the American Airlines website or mobile app, and the new Phoenix-to-Fort Lauderdale route will operate once daily using an Airbus A321, which seats around 180 passengers. This expansion allows American Airlines to compete effectively with other carriers such as JetBlue, which also offers a seasonal nonstop route to Fort Lauderdale from Sky Harbor.
The timing of these new flight options aligns well with the peak travel periods, strengthening American Airlines’ longstanding ties with the Phoenix community. The airline’s scheduling reflects a strategic increase, projecting that the winter 2026 flights between Phoenix and Florida will be 50% greater than the previous season. This commitment to expand service affirms American Airlines’ role in supporting travel demand during critical travel times.
As preparations for the holiday season commence, passengers flying from Arizona can anticipate greater flexibility and convenience in their travel plans, thanks to the increased flight options from American Airlines.
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American Airlines Expands Flight Services from Phoenix to Florida
Additional Resources
- AZ Central: American Airlines Adds Phoenix-Florida Flights
- Google Search: American Airlines flights Phoenix Florida
- KTAR: Phoenix-Florida Flights American Airlines
- Wikipedia: Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
- Travel and Tour World: New Phoenix to Fort Lauderdale Flight
- Encyclopedia Britannica: American Airlines
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PHOENIX STAFF WRITER The PHOENIX STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREPhoenix.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Phoenix, Maricopa County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Waste Management Phoenix Open, Cactus League Spring Training, and Arizona State Fair. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce and Visit Phoenix, plus leading businesses in technology and healthcare that power the local economy such as Intel and Banner Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERETucson.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Arizona's dynamic landscape.
