In a strategic move aimed at strengthening its operations, American Airlines will be discontinuing five routes from its network starting in 2027. This decision includes the cessation of two routes originating from Florida. The update was initially reported by AirlineGeeks in early October.
The two routes that will be affected from Florida are Miami to Tulum, Mexico, and Miami to Montreal, Canada, with their final flights scheduled for January 5, 2027. These routes are part of a broader strategy to optimize the airline's services.
Domestic and Seasonal Service Changes
In addition to the Florida routes, American Airlines will also terminate three domestic routes. The Phoenix to Provo, Utah route will end on January 5, while the Chicago O'Hare to Lincoln, Nebraska route will cease operations on April 5. The seasonal route from Dallas/Fort Worth to Albany, New York had its last operation on September 7, 2026, and will not resume in the following summer.
These changes impact four major hubs of the airline and include a combination of domestic and international routes.
Strategic Network Evaluation
A company spokesperson communicated to AirlineGeeks that these adjustments stem from a strategic evaluation of the network: "We will continue to assess our network, focusing on investing in our product, enhancing reliability, and serving the destinations most valued by our customers."
Implications for Tulum and Montreal Routes
The discontinuation of the Miami to Tulum route occurs amidst a significant crisis for Felipe Carrillo Puerto Airport (TQO), where passenger traffic plummeted by 33.2% in the first half of 2026 compared to the previous year. Only 471,500 passengers were recorded, down from 705,400 in 2025. While Aeroméxico and Volaris have also announced their withdrawal from this destination, American will maintain nonstop flights from Dallas/Fort Worth to Tulum with up to five weekly frequencies.
The Miami to Montreal route, which was first launched in 1992 and recently operated seasonally, will also be removed from American's schedule.
New Additions from New York
Amidst these cutbacks, American has announced new routes from New York. The airline will resume its JFK to Seattle service on April 6, 2027, offering two daily flights on Airbus A321neo aircraft—a service paused since 2019. Additionally, the route to Bozeman will move from LaGuardia to JFK, increasing frequency from one to four flights weekly starting June 18, 2027.
These adjustments by American Airlines are part of a wider trend of contraction in the air travel market to Latin America and the Caribbean.
Impact on Air Travel to Cuba
In relation to Cuba, Delta Air Lines has requested to suspend 14 of its 21 weekly flights to the island from October 2026 to March 2027, citing insufficient market improvement. In 2026, at least 11 international airlines halted their flights to Cuba, with the country receiving only 387,591 visitors from January to June—a drop of 60.7% compared to the same period the previous year.
Although the routes canceled by American from Miami do not directly link to Cuba, the airline remains the largest U.S. carrier in the island, maintaining flights from Miami to six Cuban destinations amidst an aviation fuel crisis.
Frequently Asked Questions about American Airlines Route Changes
Why is American Airlines discontinuing these routes?
American Airlines is discontinuing these routes as part of a strategic review to strengthen its network, focusing on improving product reliability and serving destinations of higher customer value.
What are the new routes being introduced by American Airlines?
American Airlines is introducing new routes from New York, including the resumption of the JFK to Seattle service and an increased frequency to Bozeman moving from LaGuardia to JFK.
How will these changes affect travel to Cuba?
While the discontinued routes from Miami do not directly affect Cuba, American Airlines continues to be the dominant U.S. carrier to the island, maintaining flights to six Cuban destinations.