American Airlines 767-300ER on approach to LaGuardia Airport in New York. (Photo by Sergio Cardona)
American Airlines on Tuesday announced that the airline will begin three days a week service between Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and Rio de Janeiro (GIG), Brazil starting next December 16.
The airline previously announced that it had applied for authority to operate the route on July 8th.
“These new flights offer a wonderful opportunity for people from Texas, the Southwest, West Coast and Midwest to fly via our largest hub at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport to Brazil’s most popular cultural and tourism destination, Rio de Janeiro,” American’s Senior Vice President Peter Dolara said.
The seasonal service will run through April 4, 2011 and will resume for the summer season between June 9 and August 22, 2011. The flights will be made using Boeing 767-300 aircraft that offer two-class service with 28 business class seats and 191 economy class seats.
“We believe seasonal service via DFW is a perfect complement to our upcoming new daily flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York that begins Nov. 18 and our existing daily flight from Miami International Airport. We also will begin four days a week nonstop service between Miami and Brasilia starting Nov. 18,” Dolara added.
Brazil will host the 2014 World Cup and Rio de Janeiro will be home of the 2016 Olympic Games. The region is a preferred destination for leisure and business travelers alike and American Airlines has expressed its interest in better serving Brazil with more flights and more destinations.
“We are confident this new service will be successful and will provide yet another link between our community and our neighbors in South America.”
Currently, American Airlines offers daily nonstop service from DFW and New York’s JFK International Airport to Sao Paulo, in addition to the multiple flights to and from Brazil through the Miami International Airport.
With this latest addition, the airline operator will offer 77 weekly flights to Brazil including Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Belo Horizonte, Recife, and Salvador.
AA previously flew this route in the 1980s using DC-10-30 aircraft. (H/T to @hharteveld)
