American Airlines to expand service to Brazil this fall

MIAMI, FL (August 18, 2008) – American Airlines will add three destinations in Brazil to its route network in November, further growing its presence in South America’s largest country while expanding its leadership position in flights from the United States to Latin America. American will begin serving the cities of Belo Horizonte, Salvador de Bahia, and Recife in Brazil on November 2, all from American’s Miami hub.

Service from Miami to both Belo Horizonte and Salvador de Bahia will operate nonstop, with the Salvador de Bahia flight continuing on to Recife and then returning to Miami. The Belo Horizonte flight will operate three days a week. Service to Salvador de Bahia and Recife will operate daily.

American will fly the routes using widebody Boeing 767-300 aircraft configured with 30 seats in Business Class and 195 seats in the Main Cabin.

Belo Horizonte, in southeastern Brazil, is a commercial and industrial center also known for its cultural activities and its general quality of life. Salvador de Bahia, on Brazil’s northeast coast, is noted for its cuisine, music and architecture. Recife, also on the northeast coast, boasts a major port, nearby beaches and a vibrant culture and is often called the “Venice of Brazil.”

The three new destinations complement American’s existing service to Brazil, which includes flights to Sao Paulo from Miami, Dallas/Fort Worth, New York JFK and to Rio de Janeiro from Miami. American also operates one-stop service to Rio de Janeiro from New York JFK.

“American is excited to offer our customers more of Brazil,” said Peter J. Dolara, American’s senior vice president – Miami, Caribbean and Latin America. “It is a dynamic country in so many ways, and American’s comprehensive schedule of service to its leading business, leisure and cultural centers puts it all conveniently and easily within reach.”

American’s hub in Miami offers travelers convenient connections to Belo Horizonte, Salvador de Bahia and Recife from dozens of cities throughout North America and Europe.

With the addition of the three Brazilian cities to American’s network, American will offer customers 27 destinations throughout Latin America – more than any other US airline.

Here are American’s schedules to its three new Brazilian destinations, effective November 2. All times shown are local.

From Miami to Belo Horizonte (Operates Tuesday/Thursday/Saturday)
Flight # Departs Arrives
991 (nonstop) 11:15 p.m. 10:30 a.m. (next day)

From Belo Horizonte to Miami (Operates Wednesday/Friday/Sunday)
Flight # Departs Arrives
992 (nonstop) 11:50 p.m. 4:55 a.m. (next day)

From Miami to Salvador de Bahia (Operates daily)
Flight # Departs Arrives
980 (nonstop) 9:10 p.m. 7:20 a.m. (next day)

From Salvador de Bahia to Miami (Operates daily)
Flight # Departs Arrives
980 (via Recife) 8:50 a.m. 5:30 p.m. (same day)

From Miami to Recife (Operates daily)
Flight # Departs Arrives
980 (via Salvador de Bahia) 9:10 p.m. 10:05 a.m. (next day)

From Recife to Miami (Operates daily)
Flight # Departs Arrives
980 (nonstop) 11:35 a.m. 5:30 p.m. (same day)