Beach News

American Airlines adds new flights for winter vacay tropical destinations

Caribbean beach scene white sands palm tree

Caribbean beach scene with white sands, palm tree, take me there, American.

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It's never too soon to start planning your winter tropical vacation, a lesson that American Airlines knows all too well: The Fort Worth-based airline has issued a new winter 2023 schedule for the Caribbean and Latin America.

They're increasing service on 23 routes to the Caribbean and Latin America — representing a 10 percent increase compared to winter 2022 — for a grand total of more than 2,250 weekly flights to 90 destinations in the region.

That includes expanding winter seasonal service to its newest destination, Tortola, British Virgin Islands (EIS), with two daily nonstop flights.

“This coming winter we're looking forward to adding more service to the destinations in Latin America and the Caribbean that our customers want to visit, including popular spots like Cancun, Montego Bay, and Punta Cana, as well as our newest destination, Tortola,” says VP José A. Freig, VP of Operations and Commercial for Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America.

Austin: Starting November 5, American will launch a second daily nonstop service from Austin to Cancun, Mexico (CUN).

Dallas-Fort Worth: American also plans to increase service to seven popular destinations in Mexico from Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW), offering more than 50 daily departures from DFW to Mexico:

Acapulco (ACA) - Expanded to 3 weekly flights
Huatulco (HUX) - Expanded to 4 weekly flights
Monterrey (MTY) - Increase to 5 daily flights
Puerto Vallarta (PVR) - Increase to 4 daily flights
Los Cabos (SJD) - Increase to 5 daily flights
Zacatecas (ZCL) - Expand to daily service
Zihuatanejo (ZIH) - Expand to daily service

Non-Texas expansions include:

Charlotte: Expanded service on 10 routes from Charlotte (CLT) to Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America compared to winter 2022.

Miami: Expanded service on routes from Miami (MIA) to Buenos Aires, Argentina (EZE) and Rio de Janeiro (GIG)

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Checking in

Longtime Arlington hotel will be demolished to make way for sleek new one

Courtesy rendering

Americana by Loews Hotels, coming to Arlington.

It will be out with Sheraton and in with Americana in Arlington's Entertainment District when a new $500 million hotel called Americana by Loews Hotels – Arlington, TX, breaks ground in summer 2026.

The transition from old to new will involve a bit of a blast.

"A 'ground-shaking' event, where the existing [Sheraton Arlington] hotel will be demolished, is planned for early June, marking the official start of construction on the new Americana by Loews Hotel this summer," says a release.

This will mark the third hotel in Arlington (and 28th property overall) for Loews Hotels & Co, "reinforcing the company’s long-term belief in the destination and its continued growth as a premier meetings, events, and entertainment hub," says the release.

The name "Americana" pays homage to the iconic Americana Hotel in Bal Harbour, Florida — a Loews landmark that opened in 1956, the company says.

"This new, contemporary addition to the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex is designed to honor the past, embrace the present, and shape the future: celebrating Loews’ rich heritage in refined hospitality, joining two existing world-class properties in Arlington’s Sports and Entertainment District today, and creating a best-in-class destination for tomorrow’s travelers," company officials say in the release.

The two existing Loews hotels in Arlington are the Live! by Loews - Arlington and Loews Arlington Hotel.

The new Americana hotel will feature 507 guest rooms, including 39 suites. There will also be more than 83,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space, including a 10,000-square-foot Event Barn, two ballrooms, an event lawn, pool terrace, and three-meal terrace.

In total, Loews Hotels & Co campus in Arlington will have a total of 1,695 guest rooms and more than 374,000 square feet of meeting space, they say.

All the hotels are a quick walk from entertainment hot spots including AT&T Stadium, Globe Life Field, Choctaw Stadium, Live! by Loews, the National Medal of Honor Museum, Arlington Museum of Art, and more.

“This project reflects our strong belief in Arlington as a dynamic destination and our confidence in its continued growth,” says Alex Tisch, President and Chief Executive Officer of Loews Hotels & Co.

The hotel is targeting 2029 for an opening date.

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