American Airlines Expands Chicago, Los Angeles Networks

‍Fort Worth — American Airlines (AA) announced new routes from Chicago O’Hare and Los Angeles International, strengthening what it calls the nation’s premier domestic network as customers plan travel for the year ahead.

From Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), American will add service to Lehigh Valley International Airport (ABE) and Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) beginning May 21, alongside a new long-haul route to Kahului Airport (OGG) starting December 17. From Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), the airline will launch new flights to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE) and Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) beginning April 7.

American said tickets for the new routes go on sale January 26 via its website and mobile app.

New Routes and Schedules

Building the Chicago hub

American traces its Chicago roots back to 1926 and said ORD remains central to its strategy. Over the past year, the airline expanded the hub to more than 180 destinations, adding 29 new routes in 2025 and confirming all will return in 2026. This spring, American plans more than 500 peak daily departures from ORD.

The new Maui service targets winter leisure demand and will feature Flagship® Business with lie-flat seats and Premium Economy. The ABE and CAE routes are designed to feed ORD’s global network, improving one-stop access to destinations across the Pacific and beyond.

More Options from Los Angeles

At LAX, American continues to build a large coastal network, adding CLE and complementing its Washington service by pairing IAD with existing flights to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). With partners, the airline now serves more than 85 destinations from LAX.

American also highlighted premium upgrades on key LAX routes, including the Airbus A321XLR with Flagship Suite seats on New York (JFK) services and the Boeing 787-9 on select London Heathrow flights from March 28.

Network Context

The additions underline AA’s focus on high-frequency domestic connectivity paired with selective long-haul growth. By deepening ORD’s Midwest reach and broadening LAX’s national links, the carrier aims to capture leisure, business, and connecting traffic while reinforcing its competitive position across the U.S. network.

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