American Airlines Returns to Naples Airport After 25 Years With New Charlotte Flights ✈️

For the first time in a quarter-century, commercial airline service is returning to Naples Airport (APF).

Beginning December 2, 2026, American Airlines will launch twice-daily nonstop flights between Naples and Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), providing Southwest Florida residents and visitors with a much closer alternative to flying through Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW) in Fort Myers.

The new service marks a significant milestone for Naples, which has operated primarily as a general aviation airport for the past 25 years.

A More Convenient Option for Southwest Florida 🌴

For decades, travelers heading to Naples, Marco Island, Bonita Springs, and other nearby communities have typically flown into Fort Myers before driving 35 to 45 miles south.

The new Naples service dramatically shortens that journey, especially for visitors staying in:

• Marco Island

• Naples

• Pelican Bay

• Park Shore

• Old Naples

• East Naples

• North Naples

Business travelers are also expected to benefit from the airport’s proximity to downtown Naples.

Flight Details

American Airlines plans to operate:

• ✈️ Route: Naples (APF) ↔ Charlotte (CLT)

• 📅 Starts: December 2, 2026

• 🕑 Frequency: Twice daily

• 🛩️ Aircraft: Canadair Regional Jet 700 (CRJ700)

The flights are already available to book using AAdvantage miles as well as cash fares.

Why the Smaller Aircraft?

Naples Airport has a unique limitation.

The airport restricts aircraft to a maximum weight of 75,000 pounds, preventing larger regional jets from operating regularly.

American Airlines originally considered using the larger CRJ900, but switched to the lighter CRJ700, allowing the service to meet the airport’s operating restrictions.

Why Charlotte?

Charlotte is one of American Airlines’ largest hub airports.

Passengers departing Naples will gain convenient one-stop access to hundreds of destinations throughout:

• The Northeast

• Midwest

• West Coast

• Caribbean

• Europe

• Latin America

That makes the new route attractive for both Florida residents and visitors connecting through Charlotte.

A Historic Return

Naples Airport hasn’t hosted scheduled commercial airline service in roughly 25 years.

Since then, APF has become one of Florida’s busiest general aviation airports, handling more than 100,000 aircraft operations each year, including:

• Corporate jets

• Private aircraft

• Charter flights

• Flight schools

• Medical flights

The return of commercial service represents one of the biggest changes in the airport’s modern history.

What It Means for Marco Island Visitors

For tourists heading to Marco Island, the new flights could eliminate nearly an hour of driving compared with arriving through Fort Myers.

Hotels, vacation rental owners, and local businesses may all benefit from easier access to Southwest Florida’s beaches and resorts.

With American Airlines now returning to Naples, travelers will finally have a commercial flight option much closer to one of Florida’s most popular Gulf Coast destinations.

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