A major airline is celebrating its 100th anniversary with 100 new flights from the Windy City.
American Airlines will launch 100 additional daily flights from its hub at Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) this spring, representing a 30 percent boost for flights from the city, according to the carrier. With the new flights, American will operate 500 daily departures from ORD by March.
“We’re committed to rebuilding our Chicago hub to be stronger and more compelling for our customers, and our 2026 plans are both emblematic of that objective and an exciting way to end a year defined by bold growth and investment at ORD,” Steve Johnson, American’s vice chair and chief strategy officer, said in a statement. “Our continued focus on Chicago during the next year—a year that we celebrate the centennial of American and our 100th year of service at ORD—will make our network even more attractive and continue to enhance the travel experience, improve reliability and introduce more premium options for our customers.”
The new departures will touch 75 different markets, including major cities like Dallas, Orlando, and Boston. The airline also said it will double its service to popular spring break destinations like Las Vegas and both Panama City and Sarasota in Florida.
American will plan to similarly increase service from Chicago to Savannah, Georgia, which was ranked one of the best cities in the United States in Travel + Leisure’s World’s Best Awards. Known for its tree-lined streets, charming architecture, and top-notch food scene, spring offers some of the best weather and many popular events in the southern city.
The large expansion comes as American celebrates 100 years of flying. Founded in 1926, American originally started with a mail transport flight from Chicago to St. Louis, and now operates a fleet of more than 1,500 aircraft, according to the company.
“American is proud to be among the small group of airlines that have celebrated 100 years of flight,” American’s Chief Executive Officer Robert Isom said in a statement. “There’s no brand in aviation more iconic than American, built on a culture of innovation and forward-thinking. We’re poised to continue that legacy into the next 100 years for our customers and team members.”
To celebrate the milestone, American said it will adorn a Boeing 737 aircraft with a special “centennial pattern” of silver infinity rings as well as place a centennial logo across its entire fleet.
