American Airlines announced Thursday it will begin daily direct service from Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport to Miami International Airport starting Dec. 19, 2025.
- The airline also will extend its Chicago O’Hare International Airport service to year-round operations, offering daily flights through both winter and summer seasons.
The Miami route will operate with dual-class Embraer 175 aircraft, departing VPS at 6 a.m. and arriving at 8:42 a.m. The return flight leaves Miami at 10:59 p.m., arriving back at VPS at 11:58 p.m.
“American is proud to offer the best worldwide connections for the residents of Okaloosa County to more than 350 destinations around the world,” said Jason Reisinger, American’s managing director of global network planning. “Our new flights to Miami and year-round service to Chicago will complement American’s existing flights to Charlotte, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Washington, D.C.”
Miami International Airport serves as a gateway between the United States and the Caribbean and Latin America. American will offer connections to more than 70 destinations in Mexico, the Caribbean and Latin America through Miami.
Okaloosa County Board Chairman Paul Mixon said the new route will benefit local tourism while enhancing tourism statewide through the gateway between the two Florida locations.
- “I am very thankful and proud of Tracy Stage and the team at Destin-Fort Walton Beach Airport,” said County Vice Chairman Carolyn Ketchel. “We have worked for years to bring intrastate air travel to VPS and I am excited for the possibility of adding more Florida destinations for passengers in the future.”
County Commissioner Sherri Cox called the addition a major quality-of-life upgrade for residents and a significant step forward in strengthening the local economy. She noted the route provides access to Latin and South America, convenience for sports tourism and simplified cruise travel through Miami’s cruise port.
“This new in-state location is a great start to provide greater mobility across Florida to Okaloosa residents and to the region,” said County Commissioner Trey Goodwin.
County Commissioner Drew Palmer said he looks forward to residents taking advantage of the new opportunity and future intrastate locations.
“Legacy, intrastate daily direct service—let’s go to Miami and abroad with American Airlines!” said Airports Director Tracy Stage.
- The Chicago service will continue using dual-class Embraer 175 aircraft, departing VPS at 11:08 a.m. and arriving at 1:37 p.m. Return flights leave Chicago at 8:05 a.m., arriving at VPS at 10:31 a.m.
Tickets will be available for purchase starting July 21 at aa.com or through American’s mobile app.
