Travel boost: American Airlines adds 15 new domestic routes for Summer 2026
“American is proud to offer unmatched connectivity across the United States,” said American’s Senior Vice President of Network and Schedule Planning, Brian Znotins.
“Today, we’re furthering our commitment with new routes designed to help customers realize their travel goals in 2026 from important hubs such as Chicago and Phoenix.
“With new routes from places like Lincoln, Nebraska; Abilene, Texas; Columbia, Missouri; and more, we’re providing local residents one-stop access to seal business deals, take a dream vacation with friends or family and enjoy soccer matches on the global stage.”
American will offer more than 500 daily departures from Chicago (ORD) next summer as part of its continued commitment to the hub.
The airline has added new service to more than 25 destinations from ORD and added frequencies in other markets this year, making the airport one of the fastest-growing hubs in the country.
With this momentum, American is focused on thoughtfully growing its ORD network to more than 180 destinations and adding more flights in popular markets.
This growth will continue in 2026 with the addition of service to Erie, Pennsylvania (ERI); Lincoln, Nebraska (LNK); and Tri-Cities, Tennessee (TRI). And, as customers have positively responded to American’s winter network, the airline will extend winter-only offerings to Santa Fe, New Mexico (SAF) and Key West, Florida (EYW) into the summer between May 21 and Sept. 8.
Separately, American will also expand summer service from ORD to Hilton Head, South Carolina (HHH), and to Pensacola (PNS) and Panama City (ECP) in Florida. Previously operated only on the weekends, flights to these cities will operate daily between Feb. 12 and Sept. 8.
American will continue to grow options for Chicagoans to travel with increased frequencies across the airline’s network. In the spring, American will increase departures by more than 30% compared to 2025, offering more than 480 peak daily departures from ORD just in time for spring break.
All destinations served from ORD this spring will return next year, making American the only hub carrier at the airport to achieve this feat. As part of its demonstrated investment in Chicago, the airline will offer more than 25 additional destinations next spring versus 2025, including a mix of new destinations and seasonal routes that will start earlier.
All of American’s flights from ORD operate with dual-class aircraft, giving customers the opportunity to enhance their travel experience with the selection of a premium cabin. In addition, American’s ORD to London (LHR) route will continue to offer Flagship Suite seats for customers. Chicago was the first city in American’s network to receive this elevated premium offering.
Traveling across the country and around the world will be easier than before on American’s global network.
Starting June 4, American will add service to its 240th destination in the United States in Lincoln, Nebraska (LNK).
In the Western U.S., American will grow its Phoenix (PHX) hub with seven new routes.
New service to Bozeman, Montana (BZN); Kalispell, Montana (FCA); and Rapid City, South Dakota (RAP) will make it easier for travelers from states including California, Nevada and Arizona to get to national parks, monuments and more.
Meanwhile, new flights to Abilene (ABI) and McAllen (MFE) in Texas will provide travelers one-stop access to destinations across the Western U.S. and Mexico.
This growth is part of American’s consistent commitment to powering global access through its hubs. Recently, the airline launched service to cities including Carlsbad, California (CLD); Golden Triangle, Mississippi (GTR); Santa Maria, California (SMX); and Sun Valley, Idaho (SUN). In 2026, the airline will also be the only airline connecting the U.S. with Bimini, Bahamas (BIM), and will add service to Vero Beach, Florida (VRB).
Collectively, American’s hub airports power global access to more than 350 destinations around the world served by the airline.