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While the holiday season is just getting into full swing, American Airlines is looking ahead to next summer with a big network expansion. The carrier has unveiled 16 new and returning routes launching in 2026. With these additions American is positioning its hubs, especially Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX), for significant growth.
Beginning in March and continuing through June 2026, American will add flights from Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) , Miami International Airport (MIA), and Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). These routes include:
- Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to/from Nantucket Memorial Airport (ACK) (daily; runs from June 18th to September 8th)
- Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) to/from Madison’s Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) (daily; starts on June 18th)
- Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) to/from Columbia Regional Airport (COU) (daily; starts on June 4th)
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to/from Erie International Airport Tom Ridge Field (ERI) (daily; starts on May 21st)
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to/from Lincoln Airport (LNK) (daily; starts on June 4th)
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to/from Tennessee’s Tri-Cities Airport (TRI) (daily; starts on May 21st)
- Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to/from Lincoln Airport (LNK) (2x daily; starts on June 4th)
- Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to/from Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA) (daily; starts on June 4th)
- Miami International Airport (MIA) to/from Jackson-Medgar Wiley Evers International Airport (JAN) (1x weekly; runs from March 14th to August 1st)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) to/from Abilene Regional Airport (ABI) (daily; starts on June 4th)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) to/from Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC) (daily; runs from May 21st to September 8th)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) to/from Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) (daily; runs from June 4th to September 8th)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) to/from Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) (2x weekly; runs from June 19th to September 6th)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) to/from Lincoln Airport (LNK) (daily; winter seasonal with no dates released)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) to/from McAllen International Airport (MFE) (daily; starts on June 4th)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX) to/from Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) (daily; runs from June 4th to October 4th)
American’s Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) hub will exceed 500 daily departures next summer. The airport remains one of the fastest-growing hubs in the US, with more than 25 added destinations and expanded frequencies compared to 2025. Seasonal routes to Santa Fe Regional Airport (SAF) and Key West International Airport (EYW) will be extended into summer while service to Hilton Head Airport (HHH), Pensacola International Airport (PNS), and Panama City’s Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport (ECP) will move to daily operations from February through early September.
All American flights from ORD operate with two-class aircraft including the airline’s Flagship Suite® on its Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to/from London Heathrow Airport (LHR) service. American continues to expand service across its hubs to provide broad domestic coverage. It will reach its 240th US destination next year with new service to Lincoln Airport (LNK). Passengers will have convenient one-stop access to many global cities served by American.
Brian Znotins, American’s Senior Vice President of Network and Schedule Planning, said:
American is proud to offer unmatched connectivity across the United States. 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.”
Anthony’s Take: It’s good to see American adding to Chicago and Phoenix. Together with its global partners, American Airlines will provide access to more than 1,000 destinations worldwide next year. Chicago is still dominated by United, but American is showing this hub some love.
(Image Credits: American Airlines.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
