Texas Border Business
By Roberto Hugo González / Texas Border Business
McAllen International Airport will begin a new daily nonstop American Airlines flight to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport on June 4, 2026, connecting the region to a second central hub for the airline.
Jeremy Santoscoy, Director of Aviation for McAllen International Airport, said the new route strengthens the airport’s partnership with American Airlines and improves westbound travel options for the Rio Grande Valley.
“I’m really excited to announce that the partnership with American Airlines has strengthened through an additional route to the McAllen International Airport to Phoenix Sky Harbor International,” Santoscoy said. “Phoenix Sky Harbor is another hub for American Airlines. We will be connecting daily, starting June 4th, 2026.”
Santoscoy said the route allows passengers to reach West Coast destinations more efficiently.
“What this does is not only give us another American Airlines hub that connects the region and the valley, but it also strengthens our westbound connections,” he said. “The flight would get there early enough to make multiple bank connections to the West Coast, all the way from Seattle, Washington, down to San Diego, California.”
He said routing westbound traffic through Phoenix is more efficient than sending travelers through Dallas–Fort Worth, which remains a major connection point with seven to eight daily departures from McAllen.
“For westbound connections, the operation is more efficient heading through Phoenix instead of through DFW,” Santoscoy said. “For a regional airport like McAllen, connecting to two hubs for a legacy carrier is a sign of the growth we’ve had.”
Santoscoy said American Airlines identified sufficient demand to support daily service.
“Right now, American has enough travelers to feed into that daily connection,” he said. “There is a good number of people headed not just to Phoenix, but beyond Phoenix.”
McAllen City Manager Isaac Tawil said the new route represents more than added service.
“This new route is more than a flight—it’s a strategic connection that strengthens McAllen’s role in the national air network and expands opportunities for our residents, businesses, and visitors,” Tawil said.
Tawil added, “Daily service to Phoenix reflects the confidence American Airlines has in our region’s economic strength, international reach, and growing demand for air travel.”
Santoscoy said the airport continues to invest in infrastructure to support record passenger numbers. McAllen International Airport has already surpassed 1.1 million passengers this year.
“We worked with TSA to open up a third lane at the checkpoint, making us the only airport south of San Antonio with more than two TSA lanes,” he said. “We’ve also added new post-security amenities like a bar area, kitchen, and VIP lounge.”
Santoscoy said continued growth is expected, and investments will continue to support future demand.
