The world’s largest airline is planing another big expansion to the Caribbean, and it’s not from one of its traditional hubs like Dallas-Fort Worth or Miami. 

American Airlines has big international ambitions in Austin, Texas, with plans to launch new service to a host of Caribbean destinations. 

That includes new daily flights from Austin to San Juan, Puerto Rico, with flights beginning Oct. 7. 

On the same date, American will also kick off thrice-weekly service to Cancun, Mexico. 

And in November, Austin will launch new nonstop flights to destinations including Punta Cana, Dominican Republic and Nassau in The Bahamas. 

Both of those routes will operate four times each week, with service launching on Nov. 2. 

“Earlier this year we added more flights from Austin, and customers have spoken: they want more,” said Brian Znotins, American’s Vice President of Network Planning. “We’re eager to offer our customers even more opportunities to reconnect with family, friends and colleagues. Together with our partners, we’re making it easier than ever to connect Austin with the world.”

American is also adding service from Austin to a pair of hot destinations in Mexico: San Jose del Cabo, with thrice-weekly service launching Oct. 7, and Puerto Vallarta, with three weekly flights kicking off on Nov. 2. 

“For the past 40 years, American Airlines has connected Austin and Central Texas with the world,” said Steve Adler, Mayor of Austin. “We couldn’t be happier with the announcement of new and expanded service in AUS. We look forward to continuing our successful partnership with American for many more years to come.”

The announcement is an important sign, not just of the growth of Austin as a Caribbean tourism source market — but of the growing popularity of Caribbean travel amid the pandemic.

— CJ