American Airlines is significantly expanding its domestic network in 2026 with the launch of 16 new or returning routes, with a major focus on connecting smaller U.S. cities to major hubs. The expansion includes service to Lincoln, Nebraska—a new state capital addition—and increased regional flights across the Midwest and beyond.
Strategic Focus on Domestic Travel
Unlike some competitors who are aggressively pursuing international routes, American is doubling down on domestic connectivity. This strategy reflects the airline’s belief that most travel demand comes from point-to-point connections within the U.S.
According to Brian Znotins, American’s senior vice president of network planning, the airline prioritizes getting people where they need to be efficiently, whether it’s for business or personal travel. Znotins emphasized the importance of serving cities like Bentonville, Tucson, and Indianapolis, where many travelers prioritize convenience over exotic destinations.
“Having that schedule advantage in the Bentonvilles and the Tucsons and the Indianapolises is what most of the travel is actually driven by,” Znotins said at the Dec. 3 Skift Aviation Forum in Fort Worth.
Key Route Additions
The expansion encompasses 20 U.S. cities, primarily served by American Eagle-branded regional aircraft. Highlights include:
- Lincoln, Nebraska (LNK): Three new routes will be added, providing much-needed air service to the city, which currently relies on United and Breeze Airways.
- Phoenix (PHX): Seven new flights, mostly seasonal, will be added.
- Chicago (ORD): Three additional routes will complement the airline’s rapid growth in the Windy City.
- Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW): Two routes will be added at American’s home base.
- Seasonal Destinations: Service is being restored or added to popular outdoor destinations like Nantucket, Alaska, and Montana.
Resurrecting Familiar Routes
Some of these routes are not entirely new; American previously operated several of them earlier this decade, including Phoenix to Bozeman and Anchorage. The airline also briefly served Miami to Jackson and O’Hare to Erie before the pandemic. Reintroducing these routes indicates a renewed focus on markets where demand had been previously demonstrated.
Broader Context: Filling the Post-Pandemic Air Service Gap
This expansion is especially significant in light of the air service cuts experienced by many smaller U.S. cities since the COVID-19 pandemic. Adding these routes will help fill gaps in connectivity, providing essential links for business and leisure travelers.
American isn’t abandoning long-haul routes altogether—it recently announced flights to Budapest and Prague, as well as new service between New York and Scotland on its new Airbus A321XLR. However, the domestic expansion underscores a clear strategic priority: serving the core needs of American travelers.
The airline’s commitment to domestic connectivity was recognized in The Points Guy’s Best Airlines Report earlier this year, solidifying American’s position as a leader in this area.
