American Airlines conservative return to Caracas, Venezuela

It does somehow feel that American Airlines is looking to get into the limelight with the minimum effort possible. It presented its new 250th USA anniversary livery, which was not all that impressive, on an Embraer E175. The same aircraft type which American Airlines coincidentally is using on its flights to Caracas, Venezuela, after a seven-year hiatus.

In this post:

• The main story: American Airlines returns to Venezuela after seven years
• American Airlines limiting financial risk
• Not a good deal for the passengers
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The main story: American Airlines returns to Venezuela after seven years

So let’s talk about the main story, and then we’ll get into the nitty-gritty of the details which American Airlines is not highlighting.

American Airlines is returning to Venezuela for the first time since 2019, with flights between Miami (MIA) and Caracas (CCS), Venezuela.

The returning flight between Florida and Venezuela is operating under flight number AA3599. It has a daily frequency and the following schedule:

The airline is presenting this as a win and a patriotic move. However, there’s more to that than what the airline is telling us.

American Airlines limiting financial risk with the smallest aircraft operated by a subsidiary

Now American Airlines might be returning to Caracas, Venezuela with commercial flights for the first time in seven years since it ceased operations in 2019.

However, it is also true that they are doing it in such a fashion that minimizes risk, specifically financial risk, involving operating such a route that might not have such a strong demand.

Rather than operating one of its own mainline aircraft, American Airlines has gone down the route of using a tiny Embraer E175, operated by its wholly owned subsidiary Envoy Air.

That is a 75-seater aircraft on that shorter route which flies internationally. That doesn’t exactly shout confidence, coming from the airline. To my eyes, it’s more of a move to get PR attention and even win over some brownie points with the administration.

Not a good deal for the passengers

The other thing that must be noted is that this is definitely not a good deal for the passengers that are looking to travel on the Miami to Caracas route.

Unfortunately, many don’t have an option because there are not all that many airlines flying between the US and Venezuela just yet. And that means that passengers will have to travel a three-hour flight on a regional aircraft.

That boils down to tight seats, no seat back entertainment, and a likely rush to get those twelve first class seats present on the Embraer E175.

Even those traveling first class on the E175 with American Airlines, or more precisely American Eagle, will have to curb their expectations.

While in Miami, facilities are what you expect from American Airlines is not the same in Caracas, where you will be exposed to a much more rudimentary airport experience.

However, as I mentioned before, there are not many options for those looking to travel to Caracas from the US, this might just have to do for the time being.