Historic first American Airlines flight lands at Florida airport
<https://www.tcpalm.com/staff/4388370002/colleen-wixon/> Colleen Wixon <https://www.tcpalm.com/staff/75573952007/jack-randall/> Jack Randall Treasure Coast Newspapers Updated Feb. 12, 2026, 3:40 p.m. ET VERO BEACH — History was made Thursday, Feb. 12, when an American Airlines flight landed at Vero Beach Regional Airport. Some 3½ years after Elite Airlines' last flight from Vero Beach left the airport without a passenger airline, American Eagle Flight 5650 from Charlotte, North Carolina, touched down nine minutes early at 11:21 a.m. <https://www.tcpalm.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2026/02/12/PTCN/8864 4562007-tcn-vero-american-airlines.JPG?width=660&height=445&fit=crop&format= pjpg&auto=webp> About a dozen spectators stood along a chain-link fence, watching as the silver CRJ-900 regional jet — with its red, white and blue tail — touched down. The flight carried 70 passengers from Charlotte to Vero Beach and 47 back to Charlotte. Getting good reviews Chris Saridakis, of Vero Beach, was among them. Three of his children were on board, he said. "It's a good connection," he said. "My son lives outside of Charlotte." <https://www.tcpalm.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2026/02/12/PTCN/8864 4561007-tcn-vero-american-airlines-4.JPG?width=660&height=449&fit=crop&forma t=pjpg&auto=webp> A welcome salute with water cannons was delayed while a Breeze Airways flight finished boarding and departed from the airport's only gate. Brent Morris, of Connecticut, was among the first passengers off the plane. He visits Vero Beach often, he said, and is happy to have an added travel option from Charlotte, where his parents live. "Flight was great," Morris said. "They rolled out the red carpet. First time I've seen the water-gun salute, so that was a nice touch." VIPs were on hand, too, to be part of the event. "It puts us at capacity at the airport," Councilman Aaron Vos said, "but (Charlotte) is a great destination for the community because of the proximity to Asheville." <https://www.tcpalm.com/gcdn/authoring/authoring-images/2026/02/12/PTCN/8864 4560007-tcn-vero-american-airlines-3.JPG?width=660&height=450&fit=crop&forma t=pjpg&auto=webp> Easier access to international destinations Service to Charlotte gives Vero Beach access to international flights and a gateway to flights all over the country, officials said. “That’s an important gateway,” Vero Beach Mayor John Cotugno said. Other City Council members pointed to Vero Beach's new access to international flights since Charlotte is American's second-largest U.S. hub. Charlotte Douglas International Airport has more than 670 daily flights to more than 170 destinations in 27 countries. The ability to go to Europe, while flying from Vero Beach, is something that was important to Councilman John Carroll. That will save a tremendous amount of money, with current free parking at the airport, he said. Get the Daily Briefing newsletter in your inbox. Start your day with the morning's top news Delivery: Daily [ ] Your Email
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