Fort Worth, Texas-based American Airlines will temporarily upgrade its equipment on flights between Miami and Cancun, Mexico. Select flights on the popular leisure route will be operated by the Boeing 777-200ER for a limited time at the end of the year.
The carrier typically deploys multiple narrowbody aircraft types on the route with multiple daily flights. The addition of a widebody aircraft and increased frequencies will boost capacity on the route by more than 10,000 seats.
Flight details
According to independent aviation blog Ishrion Aviation, American will begin flying the 777-200ER between its hub at Miami International Airport (MIA) and Cancun International Airport (CUN) on December 19th. The widebody will perform one daily flight in each direction through January 6, 2025.
AA2494 is scheduled to depart from MIA just after 08:30 and arrive at CUN around 10:30. The return flight, AA1469, has a departure time of 11:40, arriving back at MIA just after 13:30.
Increasing flights & seats
American will continue to use its narrowbody aircraft on other frequencies between the two destinations. In December, the airline has a total of 274 flights scheduled, according to aviation data and analytics provider Cirium. The Airbus A319 and A321neo are both scheduled on a total of eight flights – four in each direction. The 777-200ER will handle 13 flights in each direction, totaling 26 flights. The remainder of the frequencies will be operated by the 737-800 and 737 MAX 8. The latter is scheduled on a total of 108 flights – 54 each way, while the former will handle the bulk of the flights, with 62 in each direction, totaling 124 flights.
The oneworld Alliance carrier will offer 49,594 seats between MIA and CUN in December, which will be more than 10,000 seats compared to the previous month. In November, American will operate 38 fewer flights at 236, resulting in 39,552 seats. All aircraft scheduled on the route in December will also fly between MIA and CUN in November, except for the 777-200ER and 737 MAX 8.
What’s it like on American’s 777-200ERs?
Although there are more frequencies in December, American’s capacity on the route is also boosted thanks to the 777-200ER. The aircraft accommodates a total of 273 passengers across three cabins. Flagship Business, the airline’s second-most premium class, has 37 lie-flat seats. Each seat has a width of 21.9 inches, along with elevated amenities, such as chef-inspired dining. Passengers are also pampered with amenity kits featuring travel essentials from Shinola and D.S. & Durga. For sleeping, travelers can stay comfortable with pillows and blankets developed exclusively by sleep technology company Casper.
Premium Economy has 24 large recliner seats, each with a pitch of 38 inches and a width of 18.5 inches. On select flights, American also offers noise-reducing headphones. Additionally, the airline provides dining and complimentary alcoholic beverages on flights with full drink service.
The Main Cabin consists of the remaining 212 seats. 66 seats within the class are “Main Cabin Extra” seats, which have a few more inches of legroom. Passengers in all classes can take advantage of seatback entertainment, power outlets, and WiFi.
New competition
American is currently the only carrier to fly between MIA and CUN. However, that will change on December 19th. As the airline will begin flying the 777-200ER, Aeromexico will offer a challenge by introducing its own service on the route with the 737 MAX 8.
While it is not confirmed, Aeromexico’s new presence could have influenced American’s decision to use a larger aircraft on the route to remain as the dominant carrier. Simple Flying contacted American for comment, but did not receive an immediate response.