Unveiling American Airlines’ Ambitious Expansion: 15 New U.S. Routes for Summer 2026
American Airlines has announced an ambitious expansion plan for 2026, revealing 15 new routes across the United States. This move is set to significantly enhance connectivity for travelers, making travel more accessible by linking smaller cities to major hubs. Notably, Lincoln, Nebraska will become its 240th U.S. destination.
The expansion zeroes in on key hubs including Chicago O’Hare, which will offer more than 500 daily departures next summer, Phoenix, Boston, Charlotte, Dallas/Fort Worth, and Miami.
- New routes include service to Erie, Pennsylvania
- Service to Tri-Cities, Tennessee
- Flights to Kalispell, Montana (gateway to Glacier National Park)
- Multiple connections to Lincoln, Nebraska
The airline will operate these routes using regional jets including the Bombardier CRJ-700 and CRJ-900 aircraft.
According to Brian Znotins, American’s Senior Vice President of Network and Schedule Planning, the expansion provides “one-stop access to seal business deals, take a dream vacation with friends or family and enjoy soccer matches on the global stage” for residents of previously underserved cities. The new routes will operate on both year-round and seasonal schedules, with some flights launching as early as March 2026 and others beginning in June.
Source: American Airlines News