(CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA) – American Airlines is adding a twice-daily nonstop link between Charlotte and Naples, Florida, and the new route gives travelers a rare nonstop option into one of Southwest Florida’s smaller airports. The service is scheduled to begin on December 2, 2026, with tickets already on sale.

The flight will run between Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) and Naples Airport (APF), a pairing that matters because Charlotte is one of American’s largest hubs. From there, the airline says passengers will have access to nearly 180 destinations across its network.

American will fly the route with PSA Airlines, one of its regional subsidiaries, using a Bombardier CRJ-700 with 65 seats. That aircraft is a small regional jet, not a mainline narrowbody, so the new service will be built around frequency and convenience rather than cabin size.

The launch also marks a return to commercial airline service in Naples after a long gap. American last scheduled service there in 2001, and Naples Airport has not had commercial flights since 2017.

Several steps still have to fall into place before the first departure. A use agreement, facility improvements, and Transportation Security Administration approval are still pending.

That matters because the schedule is public, but the operation still depends on local and federal sign-off. Travelers booking early should watch for any adjustments before winter schedules firm up.

On the loyalty side, the route should fit neatly into American’s AAdvantage program. Paid tickets on American-operated flights normally earn redeemable miles and Loyalty Points based on fare, not distance, so a short regional hop can still matter if you are chasing status through everyday travel.

Award bookings are also part of the equation. American sells awards with dynamic pricing, so mileage costs will move with demand and cabin availability. Saver space on short domestic flights is often the best value, but it is not guaranteed, especially on a route serving a small airport with limited seats per flight.

If you prefer to conserve miles, a cash fare on a short route like this can sometimes be the better play. If you are sitting on a large AAdvantage balance, though, a nonstop into Naples can be a cleaner redemption than connecting through Miami, Dallas, or Philadelphia.

Competitive pressure on this market is limited, which is part of the appeal. Naples is not a large commercial airport, and the new American service restores nonstop access where there has been a long absence of scheduled flying. That leaves Charlotte-bound travelers with one of the most direct hub connections in the region, while Southwest Florida travelers get a second daily option into American’s network.

Charlotte is already one of the country’s busiest connecting banks, so the schedule should appeal to travelers who value a single stop on the way to or from the Midwest, Northeast, and West Coast. The CRJ-700 will not offer the same cabin space as a larger mainline aircraft, but the tradeoff is a nonstop route that avoids a connection entirely.

The timing also gives American a winter-season advantage. December service lines up with the months when Southwest Florida demand tends to rise, especially among seasonal travelers and visitors heading to the Gulf Coast. Booking earlier should help if you want the lowest cash fare or the best chance at a lower-mileage award seat.

This route is ideal for Charlotte travelers who want a nonstop trip into Naples, and for Naples-area flyers who want easy access to American’s hub network. If you plan to travel after December 2, 2026, book early and check both cash and AAdvantage pricing before the schedule fills up.