American Airlines is turning 100. Here's how it's grown in Philly.

by Ariana Perez-Castells

Alejandro A. Alvarez / Staff Photographer

More than 64% of PHL passengers fly American Airlines

U.S. Airways, which later merged with American Airlines, established a Philadelphia hub in 1985. American brought nearly 20 million passengers through PHL in 2024. The airline is adding services in an effort to grow that number even more.

More than 64% of PHL passengers fly American Airlines

U.S. Airways, which later merged with American Airlines, established a Philadelphia hub in 1985. American brought nearly 20 million passengers through PHL in 2024. The airline is adding services in an effort to grow that number even more.

Clearing TSA to ride a bus

American in 2023 added buses from Atlantic City and Lehigh Valley airports to PHL, with its many more destinations. Travelers clear security at their local airport and ride the bus to their PHL terminal. The new service has confused some.

Clearing TSA to ride a bus

American in 2023 added buses from Atlantic City and Lehigh Valley airports to PHL, with its many more destinations. Travelers clear security at their local airport and ride the bus to their PHL terminal. The new service has confused some.

More flights to Europe

Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer

The airline added routes to Copenhagen, Denmark; Nice, France; and Naples, Italy, in 2024, and plans to fly to Porto, Portugal starting next year. International travel through PHL is up, accounting for nearly 14% of passengers in 2025.

More flights to Europe

The airline added routes to Copenhagen, Denmark; Nice, France; and Naples, Italy, in 2024, and plans to fly to Porto, Portugal starting next year. International travel through PHL is up, accounting for nearly 14% of passengers in 2025.

Lounges with bars, showers, and phone rooms

American, credited with creating the airport lounge, opened the first Admirals Club in 1939 at LaGuardia Airport. Its Admirals Club in Philadelphia was upgraded and reopened in 2025, and a Flagship Lounge opened last year.

Lounges with bars, showers, and phone rooms

American, credited with creating the airport lounge, opened the first Admirals Club in 1939 at LaGuardia Airport. Its Admirals Club in Philadelphia was upgraded and reopened in 2025, and a Flagship Lounge opened last year.

One of Philadelphia’s 10 largest employers

American employs over 10,000 in the Philly area. One recently sued over flight attendant pay. Its national pilot and flight attendant unions recently called out leadership for profit declines and "hemorrhaging customer trust.”

One of Philadelphia’s 10 largest employers

American employs over 10,000 in the Philly area. One recently sued over flight attendant pay. Its national pilot and flight attendant unions recently called out leadership for profit declines and "hemorrhaging customer trust.”

Philadelphia’s dominant airline

As discount carriers Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines cut service to cut costs, leaving travelers with fewer options, American kept adding routes, reaching 75% of PHL flights.

Philadelphia’s dominant airline

As discount carriers Frontier Airlines and Spirit Airlines cut service to cut costs, leaving travelers with fewer options, American kept adding routes, reaching 75% of PHL flights.

Published April 15, 2026, 3:05 p.m. ET

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