American Airlines to Begin Service Between Dallas/Fort Worth and Rio de Janeiro
New Three Days a Week Winter and Summer Seasonal Service Begins in December
On Tuesday September 7, 2010, 1:32 pm EDT

FORT WORTH, Texas, Sept. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- American Airlines, a founding member of the oneworld® alliance, today announced it will begin three days a week service between Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), and Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (GIG) starting Dec. 16. The seasonal service will run through April 4, 2011, and then resume for the summer season between June 9, 2011, and Aug. 22, 2011. The service will resume for the 2012 season on Nov. 22, 2011. The flights will be flown using Boeing 767-300 aircraft that offer two-class service with 28 Business Class seats and 191 Economy Class seats.

"These new flights offer a wonderful opportunity for people from Texas, the Southwest, West Coast and Midwest to fly via our largest hub at Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport to Brazil's most popular cultural and tourism destination, Rio de Janeiro," said Peter Dolara, American's Senior Vice President – Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America. "We believe seasonal service via DFW is a perfect complement to our upcoming new daily flight from John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York that begins Nov. 18 and our existing daily flight from Miami International Airport. We also will begin four days a week nonstop service between Miami and Brasilia starting Nov. 18.

"Brazil will host the 2014 World Cup and Rio will be home to the 2016 Olympic Games," Dolara added. "American is committed to investing its resources to better serve Brazil. We offer more flights to more destinations in Latin America than any other U.S. carrier."

"We're very excited that Rio will soon join the growing list of destination points from DFW," said Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert. "For leisure and business travelers alike, the region's global reputation continues to grow and clearly we are pleased American Airlines is helping connect us with the world."

"North Texas continues to be an economic powerhouse, and announcements like this are part of the reason why. This is wonderful news for the passengers and shippers who use DFW Airport," said Fort Worth Mayor Mike Moncrief. "We are confident this new service will be successful and will provide yet another link between our community and our neighbors in South America."

Here is the new schedule effective Dec. 16 – April 4, 2011:

AA 251 from Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) to Rio (GIG) on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday
Departs: 7:45 p.m.
Arrives: 10:25 a.m. (next day)**

AA 250 from Rio (GIG) to Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday
Departs: 11:15 p.m.
Arrives 6:25 a.m. (next day)**