What:
Beginning in December, American Airlines will add new flights to Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America. Most notably, it’s launching the first and only nonstop service between Los Angeles and Buenos Aires. The new flight, which will utilize Boeing 787-9 aircraft, is open for reservations starting this month. The first flight is scheduled for Dec. 19.
Why It Matters:
South America consistently ranks among travelers’ top destinations, but the actual number of visitors to the continent generally does not reflect this desire. Increasing the number of nonstop flights is a concrete way to help grow visitation. The addition of this new flight also gives agents a fresh opportunity to reach out to clients who might be interested in visiting Argentina now that it’s more convenient.
Fast Facts:
- The Boeing 787 Dreamliner will depart LAX three times a week: Monday, Wednesday and Friday afternoon.
- Travelers on the nonstop flight will be able to connect to Wi-Fi or relax in one of 30 fully lie-flat seats featured in business class.
- International tourism is on the upswing in Buenos Aires as an estimated 1.55 million international tourists arrived through the city’s major airports. During a 10-month period, 67,000 more tourists arrived, representing a year-over-year increase of 4.5 percent. Over 183,000 of these visitors were North Americans from the United States and Canada.
What They Are Saying:
“We’re creating a world-class customer experience, and as the largest U.S. carrier in Mexico and South America, we are committed to offering more choices with the best schedules for our customers in the region,” said Vasu Raja, vice president, network and schedule planning, for American Airlines. “As we look to strengthen our network, we’re excited to add more nonstop flights to places like Buenos Aires, maximizing connections across our network.”
“The addition of nonstop flights from Los Angeles will make Buenos Aires more accessible to West Coast travelers than ever before,” said Gonzalo Robredo, president of the Buenos Aires City Tourism Board. “Business and leisure travelers will have a direct route to explore the city’s cultural attractions, world-renowned entertainment offerings and emerging culinary scene. The increasing connectivity is a testament to the Argentine capital’s flourishing tourism industry, which welcomed more than 183,000 North American tourists last year.”
The Details:
American Airlines
www.aa.com
