American Airlines Adds New Flight Routes with Boeing 737

FORT WORTH- American Airlines (AA) is expanding its network with two new routes. Starting December 20, the carrier will launch weekly service between Charlotte (CLT) and Palm Springs (PSP) using a Boeing 737-800.

On December 18, American will also restart Boston (BOS) to Orlando (MCO). Initially planned as a two-week holiday operation, the route has been extended to operate daily for five months on the 737-800, as reported by Ishrion Aviation.

Photo: Cado Handerson

American Airlines New Routes

The Charlotte (CLT) to Palm Springs (PSP) service is particularly notable because it has never been operated by any airline before. This makes it a true market entry, with American Airlines stepping into an unserved route, Enrilia reported.

Traffic data for the year ending March 2025 shows around 20 passengers daily each way (PDEW) paying an average round-trip fare of $1,093.

The year prior, the same traffic volume averaged $955 round-trip. The majority of sales come from Charlotte (76%), while Palm Springs accounts for 24%.

American holds a dominant position in both airports. As of March 2025, its market share stood at 84% on this city pair, with United at 8% and Delta at 7%.

In Charlotte, American commands 88% of the market, and in Palm Springs, it holds 71%, significantly ahead of its competitors. This dominance provides a strong foundation for launching the new route, even if served only once weekly at the start.

The Boston (BOS) to Orlando (MCO) service, meanwhile, has a more dynamic history. American dropped the route in February 2025, only to bring it back for the holiday season. It was last operated in July 2025 by other carriers.

Demand remains robust, with nearly 1,967 PDEW in March 2025 paying an average of $578 round-trip, compared to 2,000 PDEW in March 2024 at $548. Boston-originating passengers make up 78% of sales, while Orlando accounts for 22%.

The market is highly competitive, with JetBlue (B6) holding 42% share, Delta (DL) at 26%, and Spirit (NK) at 20% as of March 2025.

JetBlue is especially strong, with an average of over five daily flights on the A320, complemented by Delta and Spirit services that push total daily departures between Boston and Orlando to as high as 14 in peak December 2025.

Americans’ decision to return reflects both strong demand and a strategy to secure presence in a busy Northeast–Florida corridor.

American Airlines Boeing 737 | Photo: Tim | Flickr

Aircraft Deployment and Scheduling

Both new routes will be operated with the Boeing 737-800, configured with around 172 seats. For Charlotte to Palm Springs, the once-weekly schedule is a conservative start that allows American to test performance in a previously unserved market.

From Boston to Orlando, daily service reflects clear demand, especially during the peak winter travel season when Florida-bound traffic spikes.

The use of the 737-800 instead of the Airbus A321 on Charlotte–Palm Springs is deliberate.

While the A321 could offer more seats, deploying the 737 reduces risk on a long, new route where demand is still being established. In contrast, Boston–Orlando can absorb higher capacity thanks to its competitive, high-volume nature.

Photo: Phil | wilco737 | Flickr

Strengthening Hub Connectivity

Charlotte remains American’s largest hub, with unrivaled dominance in market share.

The launch of Charlotte–Palm Springs expands access for connecting passengers across the Southeast, funneling them to Southern California with one stop. For Palm Springs, the addition of this flight creates a new nonstop option that has never existed before.

Boston, on the other hand, is a competitive market where American has to fight for a share. Reentering Orlando after earlier withdrawal demonstrates that the airline sees value in maintaining visibility in high-demand leisure markets, even where rivals like JetBlue and Delta dominate.

A consistent daily schedule gives American passengers more choice while reinforcing its brand presence.

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