American Airlines has filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for the right to use three weekly regional Brazil frequencies that Delta Air Lines is relinquishing as of Sept. 7, 2010.

“If we are granted the use of these soon-to-be-relinquished frequencies then we could begin flying nonstop between Miami and Brasilia on Nov. 18, 2010, as scheduled, and between Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and Rio de Janiero (GIG) as well,” said Will Ris, American’s Senior Vice President – Government Affairs.  “We previously applied to DOT for three frequencies to serve Rio from DFW, our largest hub, but those frequencies are also being sought by another carrier and a selection proceeding could take months.  By using the regional frequencies on our new Brasilia route, we can reassign Rio-eligible frequencies to the DFW-Rio route.  All in all, we believe this use of slots in the Brazil marketplace will ensure that DOT provides for the greatest public benefit.
“Our new service from Miami to Brasilia will be the first-ever by a U.S. carrier.  Miami is American’s largest U.S. gateway to Brazil and to all of South America”. 

From Miami to Brasilia, American will fly 182-seat Boeing 757 aircraft that accommodate 16 Business Class and 166 Economy Cabin passengers.  American will offer easy connections to Brasilia via Miami from more than 40 U.S. cities including Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas/Ft. Worth, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, New York, Newark, Orlando, Philadelphia, Raleigh/Durham, San Francisco, San Juan, St. Louis, and Tampa.

American also will begin operating daily service between New York City’s John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) and Rio de Janeiro on Nov. 18.  This new service is possible because earlier this summer American was awarded the rights to operate 11 new flights between the United States and Brazil.  American will use 219-seat Boeing 767-300s configured with 28 Business Class and 191 Economy Class seats between JFK and Rio.  Passengers can make convenient connections to Rio via Kennedy from a number of major U.S. cities, including Boston, Washington, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and Raleigh/Durham.  Additionally, customers will be able to book convenient, interline service on JetBlue between JFK and 18 U.S. cities including Nantucket, Mass.; Burlington, Vt.; Buffalo, N.Y.; and Portland, Maine.

Previously, American applied to DOT for authority to fly nonstop from DFW to Rio de Janiero (GIG) three times a week, beginning Nov. 18, using Boeing 767-300.  From DFW, passengers arriving from Rio can make easy and convenient connections to dozens of cities in the Midwest, Southwest, and West with substantial new benefits to passengers and shippers.  Additionally, American recently entered into a codeshare alliance with Gol, Brazil’s largest carrier, which will offer service beyond both Rio de Janeiro and Brasilia to other cities in Brazil.