American Airlines announced Thursday that it will begin daily nonstop service between Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and Madrid, Spain, starting May 1, 2009.
The inaugural departure, Flight 36, will depart DFW at 5:35 p.m., Friday, May 1, and arrive in Madrid at 10 a.m., Saturday, May 2 – a flight lasting approximately 9 hours, 25 minutes.
The first departure from Spain, Flight 37, will depart Madrid at 1:10 p.m., Saturday, May 2, and arrive at DFW at 4:45 p.m. the same day – a flight lasting approximately 10 hours, 35 minutes. All times are local.
"North Texas and the city of Madrid are economic centers for technology, manufacturing and tourism. Now, these two power houses will be seamlessly linked by a new, nonstop daily flight," said Mike Moncrief, Mayor of Fort Worth. "This new service is certain to create jobs, spur new development and expand investment opportunities for the people of Fort Worth as well as the good citizens of Madrid."
American Airlines CEO Gerard Arpey said the route will provide more than just easier access to Madrid, but another gateway to Europe and the rest of the world.
"Connecting Dallas/Fort Worth to Madrid is more than simply providing new destinations and greater opportunities for our customers. It’s just as much about connecting cultures and opening up economic opportunities that did not previously exist," said Gerard Arpey, American’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We are making this investment with the belief that our Joint Business Agreement and antitrust immunity application with British Airways and Iberia will ultimately be approved. Once approved, we earnestly hope and believe that it will be the first of many other opportunities to enhance and expand connections between the United States and Europe allowing our customers greater access to the world and benefitting the greater Dallas/Fort Worth community."
Madrid will be the 34th international destination served by American and American Eagle from its Dallas/Fort Worth hub, depending on the season. Among American’s nonstop international destinations from DFW are cities in Argentina, the Bahamas, Belize, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, France, Germany, Guatemala, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, Panama, the United Kingdom and Venezuela.
American will fly the route with its 225-seat Boeing 767-300 aircraft in two-class configuration.
