American Airlines Adds New Ski and Sun Routes for Winter 2025
American Airlines is expanding its domestic network for winter 2025 with new routes to both snowy slopes and sunny escapes. The airline has announced flights to two new destinations—Sun Valley, Idaho, and Santa Maria, California—while also boosting service to Fort Myers, Florida; Missoula, Montana; and Santa Fe, New Mexico. This seasonal expansion focuses on leisure-driven regional markets and aims to meet rising demand for purpose-driven winter travel.
American’s winter schedule includes daily flights from Phoenix to Fort Myers starting November 20 through early January. The carrier is also adding new nonstop service from Chicago to Missoula, a route it previously operated only during the summer. Flights to Santa Fe will grow with new service from both Los Angeles and Chicago starting in October and December, respectively.
The most notable additions are the routes to Sun Valley and Santa Maria—two smaller markets with strong leisure appeal. Flights to Sun Valley from both Chicago and Phoenix will operate daily from December 18 through April 6 using Bombardier CRJ700 regional jets. Santa Maria, located on California’s Central Coast near the Paso Robles wine region, will see twice-daily service from Phoenix beginning October 16. This marks a significant upgrade for the regional airport, which until now has been served only by Allegiant Air.
The strategic move reflects American’s growing interest in connecting travelers to niche vacation spots during high-demand periods. “Airlines are becoming more selective about which regional airports they serve,” says Katy Nastro, travel expert at Going. “They’re not expanding across the board but rather targeting places like Sun Valley and Fort Myers that show clear seasonal demand.”
American’s presence at ski destinations continues to grow, joining existing services to airports like Aspen, Montrose, and Eagle. Aviation analyst Mike Arnot of Cirium explains that these routes often offer high yield with low competition, especially when operated with smaller regional jets. “These mountain and sun routes allow airlines to seize a revenue advantage where demand spikes during specific months,” he says.
While American’s international footprint often gets attention, this winter schedule reflects a sharp focus on domestic leisure travelers. The airline is positioning itself as a top choice for those planning end-of-year getaways—whether they’re chasing powder in Idaho or sunshine on Florida’s Gulf Coast. All flights are already available for booking on American’s website and app.
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