Aerolíneas Argentinas has announced the introduction of three long-haul flights utilizing the Boeing 737 MAX 8, connecting various cities in Argentina to Miami with a stop in Punta Cana. These new routes, timed at approximately 13 hours, will operate seasonally during the summer months, specifically to accommodate demand for the upcoming World Cup. This move is expected to significantly enhance connectivity between the United States and Argentina.
In the year leading up to November 2025, booking data indicated that approximately 2.2 million passengers traveled between the United States and Argentina, with 43% of those flights originating from Miami. The new routes are designed to cater to sports fans and travelers heading to the World Cup, offering a unique travel option that combines convenience with a longer journey.
Details of the New Routes
The newly established routes will have specific itineraries, with each flight scheduled to stop in Punta Cana for refueling and crew changes. The planned routes include:
– **Rosario to Miami** via Punta Cana, with a maximum block time of 13 hours 10 minutes, operating three times weekly from June 9 to August 2.
– **Córdoba to Miami** via Punta Cana, with a maximum block time of 12 hours 40 minutes, running two times weekly from June 8 to July 29.
– **Tucumán to Miami** via Punta Cana, with a maximum block time of 12 hours 15 minutes, also operating two times weekly from June 11 to August 1.
These flights reflect a strategic expansion by Aerolíneas Argentinas, which currently operates 15 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, each configured with eight business class seats and 162 economy seats. The lighter configuration of these aircraft enhances their range, allowing for longer flights despite the relatively short distance between Argentina and the Dominican Republic.
While passengers will not have seat-back entertainment in the aircraft, they will have access to the carrier’s app to stream movies and other content on their personal devices.
Market Demand and Future Considerations
The timing of these flights coincides with heightened interest in travel related to the World Cup. Booking data shows that during the previous year, Córdoba-Miami had 55,000 round-trip passengers, indicating a strong foundation for this route. In contrast, Rosario and Tucumán recorded 15,000 and 7,000 round-trip passengers, respectively, suggesting that Córdoba represents the most viable market among the three new routes.
Despite the relatively low traffic from the other two cities, Aerolíneas Argentinas is capitalizing on this opportunity, especially since Mendoza, a larger market with 29,000 round-trip passengers to Miami, will not have direct flights during the World Cup due to the airline’s lack of service from Mendoza to Punta Cana.
Other airlines are also eyeing these markets. American Airlines has shown interest in resuming routes to Córdoba using the Airbus A321XLR, reflecting a competitive landscape for air travel between the United States and Argentina.
In a related development, Boliviana de Aviación (BoA) recently commenced its own long-haul operation from Santa Cruz to Washington Dulles, with a stop in Panama City. This flight, which covers 3,655 nautical miles each way, operated twice weekly through early January to capture holiday demand, demonstrating the growing interest in connecting South American destinations with the United States.
As these new routes take shape, Aerolíneas Argentinas is poised to meet the rising demand for air travel between the regions, particularly during significant events like the World Cup, while also navigating the complexities of international air travel regulations and market conditions.
