American Airlines has announced its top international routes for December 2025, with the Dallas/Fort Worth to Cancun route taking the lead. The airline, a prominent player in the global aviation market, recorded an average of 394 daily international departures in December, reflecting a 5% increase from the previous year, according to data from Cirium Diio. This growth positions American as the largest international operator in terms of flights from the United States.
Analysis of American Airlines’ International Network
In December 2025, American Airlines will serve 284 international airport pairs from 21 hubs and focus cities across the globe. The network includes connections to 119 non-U.S. airports in 56 countries during the festive season. The Dallas/Fort Worth to Cancun route leads with 225 one-way flights, although it did not rank among the top international links for the U.S. overall. Last year, Miami to Havana held the top spot, but this year it ranks second with 177 departures, reflecting a 19% decrease in flights compared to December 2024.
The rankings continue with Dallas/Fort Worth to Monterrey at 169 departures, Miami to Nassau at 152, and Dallas/Fort Worth to Mexico City with 150 flights. Miami to Cancun also makes the list with 135 one-way flights, highlighting the airline’s strong presence in the Caribbean market.
Key Insights on Dallas/Fort Worth to Cancun Route
The Dallas/Fort Worth to Cancun route has been a cornerstone of American Airlines’ operations for more than 35 years, transporting over 15 million passengers since its inception. Between August 2024 and July 2025, the airline carried approximately 828,000 round-trip passengers on this route, achieving an impressive seat occupancy rate of 89%. Despite competition from carriers such as Frontier and Spirit, American Airlines dominates this segment, capturing around 75% of the market share due to its high frequency of flights.
Booking trends indicate that about 70% of the passengers on this route connect to other flights at Dallas/Fort Worth, which is the second-busiest airline hub in the United States. The most popular connecting flights include routes from Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and several cities across the Midwest and the Northwest, including Portland and Omaha.
In terms of operational growth, American Airlines has seen notable changes in its offerings. The Chicago O’Hare to Toronto Pearson route has entered the top ten list, replacing the Charlotte to Cancun route. This Canadian connection now provides 142 departures, an increase from 122 in December 2024, representing a 16% year-over-year growth. This rise is part of American’s broader revival strategy at O’Hare, where overall flight activity has surged by 30% compared to last year, and international services have seen a remarkable increase of 75%.
While American Airlines’ overall flight numbers from O’Hare remain below pre-pandemic levels, international departures have rebounded significantly, up by 41% compared to December 2019. The airline now offers the most international flights from O’Hare in a decade, reflecting a strong recovery trajectory.
The airline’s expansion and strategic route adjustments illustrate its commitment to meeting the demands of international travel while focusing on key markets. As American Airlines continues to adapt its network, the upcoming holiday season promises to be a busy period for the world’s largest carrier.
