• Airline testing new technology to help customers make connecting flights
  • Record summer schedule across hub airports means more flight options and more connections enabled

With a continued focus on making travel more seamless and enjoyable for its customers, American Airlines and its more than 130,000 team members look forward to a safe, reliable and successful summer travel season. Between May 16 and Sept. 2, American will operate more than 715,000 flights.

“American is once again ready for the summer travel season thanks to the more than 130,000 American team members who make our airline safely move every day,” said David Seymour, American’s Chief Operating Officer. “We’re set to operate the largest schedules ever at many of our hub airports and have been hard at work for months to ensure our people, aircraft, facilities and technology will deliver for our customers.”

Multiplying made connections

The airline is making the customer journey even more convenient this summer — including for those who are traveling on connecting American flights.

Beginning today, American is testing new technology at its Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) hub that identifies departing flights with connecting customers who might miss their flight. If the airline determines it can delay the flight without any impact to the airline’s schedule, we will propose a short hold to get those connecting customers onboard. Saving customer connections isn’t new for American. The technology, developed in-house by the American team, helps automate and enhance existing processes to hold certain connecting flights so the airline can help even more customers make their connections and get to their final destinations. American plans to expand the test next to its Charlotte, North Carolina (CLT) hub, followed by other hubs over the summer.

This comes as American has already added more boarding time on domestic flights to make the airport experience simpler and more straightforward, as well as rolling out a first-of-its kind program that expedites the international transit experience and a redesigned app. A more premium experience is on its way, too, with the debut of the Flagship Suite® aboard American’s newest Boeing 787-9 aircraft, along with a new Flagship® Lounge at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).

“Caring for our customers is at the heart of everything we do, and we know expectations are high when customers are traveling for their hard-earned summer vacations,” said Heather Garboden, American’s Chief Customer Officer. “Whether it’s our redesigned app, improvements to our boarding process or other new technology across the operation we are excited for customers to have a new and improved experience traveling with us this summer.”

10 facts about American’s summer operation

  • American will operate nearly 38,000 flights over Memorial Day weekend, which runs May 22–27. The most-traveled days for that weekend are May 22 and May 23, each with 6,471 departures.
  • The airline is offering nearly 5% more flights than last summer, with 20% more flights departing Chicago (ORD).
  • American’s most-traveled day this summer will be July 6, with nearly 6,800 flights scheduled.
  • American expects customers will check more than 50 million bags this summer. The airline had its best-ever bag handling performance over the first four months of 2025. The first checked bag is free for eligible AAdvantage® credit cardholders traveling on domestic American Airlines-operated itineraries.
  • Over the course of the summer, nearly five American flights depart every minute; that’s about one flight every 13 seconds.
  • The airline is flying to five new and exciting destinations this summer, including Edinburgh, Scotland (EDI).
  • The top three destinations for customers who are redeeming AAdvantage® miles for summer travel are London (LHR), Orlando, Florida (MCO), and Boston (BOS).
  • American expects to serve more than 55 million packages of Biscoff® cookies and 240 million beverages on board its flights this summer.
  • American currently offers more aircraft equipped with high-speed satellite Wi-Fi than any other carrier in the world, powered by Viasat and Intelsat. Starting in 2026, all AAdvantage® members will be eligible for free Wi-Fi, sponsored by AT&T.
  • American is proud to have the new U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Enhanced Primary Processing (EPP) system active at its two largest hubs (DFW and CLT). Citizens returning to the U.S. who are not Global Entry members are experiencing average passport control processing times cut in half thanks to this system.

4 things American’s customers should know about summer travel

  • Arrive at the airport two hours early for a domestic flight and three hours early for an international flight.
  • Download American’s redesigned app for the most seamless travel experience.
  • Join AAdvantage® — American’s award-winning travel rewards program — and earn valuable miles for your travel on American and partner carriers.
  • A REAL ID or valid passport is required for domestic travel this summer. Learn more at https://www.dhs.gov/real-id.