American Airlines Is Launching Four New Flights to Punta Cana This Winter

American Airlines is expanding its Caribbean network once again, this time with a major boost to service in the Dominican Republic.

Beginning Dec. 6, the carrier will launch four new nonstop routes to Punta Cana International Airport from Indianapolis, Nashville, Pittsburgh and Raleigh-Durham. All four routes will operate on Saturdays using Boeing 737 aircraft, positioning the airline to offer more service to Punta Cana than any other U.S. carrier.

The move comes as demand for winter sun travel continues to rise, with Punta Cana among the region’s most sought-after beach destinations. The new flights add to American’s extensive Dominican Republic footprint, which already includes service to Santo Domingo, Santiago, Puerto Plata and La Romana.

American first began flying to the Dominican Republic five decades ago and today operates more than 30 peak-day departures from five airports across the country. The airline continues to see the Dominican Republic as a core part of its Caribbean network strategy.

Travelers can also tap into the airline’s AAdvantage loyalty program, which allows members to earn and redeem miles for flights to nearly 1,000 destinations worldwide.

So what do you need to know about the new flights?

The new Indianapolis–Punta Cana flight will run once weekly, departing Indianapolis on Saturday mornings and arriving in Punta Cana in the early afternoon, giving travelers a full afternoon and evening on the beach. The return flight will operate later the same day, allowing for efficient weekend or weeklong vacations.

From Nashville, the Saturday-only service will follow a similar schedule, with departures timed to give travelers a convenient, same-day arrival at Punta Cana’s resort corridor. The route caters to a fast-growing leisure travel market in Tennessee, offering a direct Caribbean option without the need to connect through Miami or Charlotte.

The Pittsburgh flight will also operate on Saturdays, opening up a nonstop winter escape for Pennsylvania travelers. The morning departure from Pittsburgh International will bring passengers to Punta Cana just in time for check-in at most resorts, a convenient option for families and couples alike.

Finally, the Raleigh-Durham route is designed to provide easy access from North Carolina’s Research Triangle area, departing mid-morning on Saturdays and arriving in Punta Cana in the early afternoon. All four new flights will be served by Boeing 737 aircraft, offering both Main Cabin and First Class seating.