American Airlines will no longer offer direct flights between Sacramento International Airport (SMF) and Miami International Airport (MIA). This service, which began in late 2023, was initially planned as a year-round route before becoming seasonal. The airline has confirmed that the route will not resume next summer, removing a key transcontinental connection for travelers.
Key Takeaways
- American Airlines is discontinuing its Sacramento-Miami route.
- The service launched in late 2023 and became seasonal before its cancellation.
- The route was one of only two direct connections from Sacramento to Florida.
- Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft were used for this approximately six-hour flight.
- Sacramento International Airport saw its busiest year in 2024 with 13.6 million passengers.
Route Discontinuation Details
American Airlines had scheduled daily flights for this route to restart in mid-May 2026 and continue through August. However, current scheduling data from aviation analytics firm Cirium shows these plans have been canceled. The final flight on this specific route operated in early August.
The journey covered a distance of 2,210 nautical miles, equivalent to 4,090 kilometers. Passengers on this route experienced a typical flight time of about six hours. American Airlines has operated this service for less than 18 months.
Flight Facts
- Route Distance: 2,210 NM (4,090 km)
- Typical Flight Time: Approximately 6 hours
- Aircraft Used: Boeing 737 MAX 8
- Initial Launch: Late 2023
- Service Duration: Less than 18 months
Impact on Sacramento's Florida Connections
The decision to end the Miami-Sacramento service means Sacramento now has fewer direct links to Florida. Previously, this was one of only two direct routes connecting Sacramento to the state. The other remaining Florida connection from Sacramento is to Orlando, served by Southwest Airlines and Alaska Airlines.
American Airlines was the sole operator for flights between Sacramento and Miami. The exact reasons for American Airlines' decision to stop this route are not yet clear. TravModo has reached out to American Airlines for official comment and will provide updates as information becomes available.
"The removal of the Miami route significantly changes direct travel options from Sacramento to Florida, leaving only Orlando as a direct destination."
American Airlines' Hub Strategy
Miami is a significant hub for American Airlines. It ranks as the airline's third-largest hub, following Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and Charlotte (CLT). Miami serves as a critical gateway for flights to the Caribbean and Latin America, making it a busy operational center for the carrier.
Despite discontinuing the Miami route from Sacramento, American Airlines continues to connect Sacramento to other major hubs. These include Charlotte (CLT), Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW), and Phoenix–Sky Harbor (PHX). Additionally, American offers seasonal flights from Chicago–O’Hare (ORD).
American Airlines' Sacramento Network
Mainline American Airlines continues to serve Sacramento with direct flights to:
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
- Phoenix–Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
- Chicago–O’Hare International Airport (ORD) (seasonal)
Regional franchise American Eagle also operates flights from Sacramento to Los Angeles (LAX) and Phoenix–Sky Harbor (PHX).
Sacramento International Airport's Growth
Sacramento International Airport (SMF) has experienced substantial growth in recent years. In 2024, the airport reported its busiest year ever, serving over 13.6 million passengers. This represents a 5% increase in passenger traffic compared to 2023.
The airport currently manages approximately 180 daily flights. SMF has two passenger terminals, Terminal A and Terminal B, which together feature a total of 32 passenger gates. Southwest Airlines is the dominant carrier at Sacramento, holding almost 60% of the market share at the airport.
American Airlines' Boeing 737 MAX Fleet
The discontinued Sacramento-Miami route utilized American Airlines' Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. These planes are configured to carry up to 172 passengers. This includes 16 seats in domestic first class and 156 seats in economy. Within the economy cabin, 24 seats are designated as Main Cabin Extra, offering additional legroom.
The domestic first-class cabin features four rows of recliner seats arranged in a 2-2 configuration. The economy cabin maintains a standard 3-3 seating arrangement, with a seat pitch of 30 inches. American Airlines operates a significant fleet of 737 MAX 8 aircraft.
Fleet Details
American Airlines currently has fewer than 80 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft in its fleet. These aircraft operate alongside more than 300 Boeing 737-800 models. The airline is one of the largest operators of the 737 MAX 8 globally, though its fleet size is smaller than those of fellow U.S. carriers Southwest Airlines and United Airlines.
According to fleet data, American Airlines received its first 737 MAX 8 in September 2017. The average age of its 737 MAX 8 fleet is approximately 4.1 years. The seating configuration includes 16 first-class seats, 24 Main Cabin Extra seats, and 132 main cabin seats.
American Airlines 737 MAX 8 Fleet Overview
- First Delivery: September 2017
- Number in Fleet: 79 (approximate)
- Seating Configuration: 16 First Class, 24 Main Cabin Extra, 132 Main Cabin
- Average Age: 4.1 years
American Airlines also has future plans to operate the larger 737 MAX 10. The airline has outstanding orders for at least 115 of these stretched MAX airframes, once the aircraft receives certification. This order book makes American Airlines the second-largest customer for the MAX 10, behind United Airlines. Other carriers like Alaska Airlines and Delta Air Lines also have significant orders for this aircraft type.
United Airlines had initially aimed to be the first operator of the MAX 10. However, ongoing certification delays have caused United to postpone its first deliveries until 2027 or 2028. This highlights the industry-wide impact of aircraft development timelines.
