American Airlines Adds 15 New Routes For Summer 2026

While the holiday season is underway, American Airlines is looking ahead to next summer with 15 new routes for those looking to gift the perfect trip next year. American’s network already provides more one-stop connections than any other airline. Now, travelers will have more reasons to fly American when traveling across the country and the world next summer.

“American is proud to offer unmatched connectivity across the United States. Today, we’re furthering our commitment with new routes designed to help customers realize their travel goals in 2026 from important hubs such as Chicago and Phoenix,” said Brian Znotins, American’s Senior Vice President of Network and Schedule Planning. “With new routes from places like Lincoln, Nebraska; Abilene, Texas; Columbia, Missouri; and more, we’re providing local residents one-stop access to seal business deals, take a dream vacation with friends or family and enjoy soccer matches on the global stage.”

American’s new domestic routes

Departure airport Arrival airport Aircraft type Service start date Service end date Frequency

Boston (BOS) Madison, Wisconsin (MSN) Embraer 175 June 18, 2026 Year-round Once daily

BOS Nantucket, Massachusetts (ACK) E175 June 18, 2026 Sep. 8, 2026 Once daily

Charlotte (CLT) Columbia, Missouri (COU) E175 June 4, 2026 Year-round Once daily

Chicago (ORD) Erie, Pennsylvania (ERI) Bombardier CRJ-700 May 21, 2026 Year-round Once daily

ORD Lincoln, Nebraska (LNK) CRJ-700 June 4, 2026 Year-round Once daily

ORD Tri-Cities, Tennessee (TRI) Embraer 170 May 21, 2026 Year-round Once daily

Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) LNK CRJ-700 June 4, 2026 Year-round Twice daily

DFW Roanoke, Virginia (ROA) Bombardier CRJ-900 June 4, 2026 Year-round Once daily

Miami (MIA) Jackson, Mississippi (JAN) E175 March 14, 2026 Aug. 1, 2026 Once weekly on Saturdays

Phoenix (PHX) Abilene, Texas (ABI) E175 June 4, 2026 Year-round Once daily

PHX Anchorage, Alaska (ANC) Airbus A321neo May 21, 2026 Sept. 8, 2026 Once daily

PHX Bozeman, Montana (BZN) E175 June 4, 2026 Sept. 8, 2026 Once daily

PHX Kalispell, Montana (FCA) CRJ-700 June 19, 2026 Sept. 6, 2026 Twice weekly

PHX LNK CRJ-700 Winter 2026 Seasonal Once daily

PHX McAllen, Texas (MFE) E175 June 4, 2026 Year-round Once daily

PHX Rapid City, South Dakota (RAP) E175 June 4, 2026 Oct. 4, 2026 Once daily

American’s growing Chicago hub

American will offer more than 500 daily departures from Chicago (ORD) next summer as part of its continued commitment to the hub. The airline has added new service to more than 25 destinations from ORD and added frequencies in other markets this year, making the airport one of the fastest-growing hubs in the country. With this momentum, American is focused on thoughtfully growing its ORD network to more than 180 destinations and adding more flights in popular markets.

This growth will continue in 2026 with the addition of service to Erie, Pennsylvania (ERI); Lincoln, Nebraska (LNK); and Tri-Cities, Tennessee (TRI). And, as customers have positively responded to American’s winter network, the airline will extend winter-only offerings to Santa Fe, New Mexico (SAF) and Key West, Florida (EYW) into the summer between May 21 and Sept. 8.

Separately, American will also expand summer service from ORD to Hilton Head, South Carolina (HHH), and to Pensacola (PNS) and Panama City (ECP) in Florida. Previously operated only on the weekends, flights to these cities will operate daily between Feb. 12 and Sept. 8.

American will continue to grow options for Chicagoans to travel with increased frequencies across the airline’s network. In the spring, American will increase departures by more than 30% compared to 2025, offering more than 480 peak daily departures from ORD just in time for spring break.

All destinations served from ORD this spring will return next year, making American the only hub carrier at the airport to achieve this feat. As part of its demonstrated investment in Chicago, the airline will offer more than 25 additional destinations next spring versus 2025, including a mix of new destinations and seasonal routes that will start earlier.

All of American’s flights from ORD operate with dual-class aircraft, giving customers the opportunity to enhance their travel experience with the selection of a premium cabin. In addition, American’s ORD to London (LHR) route will continue to offer Flagship Suite® seats for customers. Chicago was the first city in American’s network to receive this elevated premium offering.

Connecting smaller cities with the world

Traveling across the country and around the world will be easier than before on American’s global network. Starting June 4, American will add service to its 240th destination in the U.S.: Lincoln, Nebraska (LNK). No other airline serves as many domestic destinations as American, and now residents from LNK will have competitive one-stop service to international destinations such as Athens, Greece (ATH); Cancun, Mexico (CUN); Rome (FCO) and Sao Paulo (GRU).

In the Western U.S., American will grow its Phoenix (PHX) hub with seven new routes. New service to Bozeman, Montana (BZN); Kalispell, Montana (FCA); and Rapid City, South Dakota (RAP) will make it easier for travelers from states including California, Nevada and Arizona to get to national parks, monuments and more. Meanwhile, new flights to Abilene (ABI) and McAllen (MFE) in Texas will provide travelers one-stop access to destinations across the Western U.S. and Mexico.

This growth is part of American’s consistent commitment to powering global access through its hubs. Recently, the airline launched service to cities including Carlsbad, California (CLD); Golden Triangle, Mississippi (GTR); Santa Maria, California (SMX); and Sun Valley, Idaho (SUN). In 2026, the airline will also be the only airline connecting the U.S. with Bimini, Bahamas (BIM), and will add service to Vero Beach, Florida (VRB).

Collectively, American’s hub airports power global access to more than 350 destinations around the world served by the airline. Together with American’s airline partners, customers can access more than 1,000 destinations.

As a leading global airline, American Airlines offers thousands of flights per day to more than 350 destinations in more than 60 countries. The airline is a founding member of the oneworld alliance, whose members serve more than 900 destinations around the globe. Shares of American Airlines Group Inc. trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol AAL. Learn more about what’s happening at American by visiting news.aa.com and connect with American @AmericanAir and at Facebook.com/AmericanAirlines. To Care for People on Life’s Journey®

Vilnius Launches Christmas Currency, Inviting Residents And City Guests To Relive Childhood Joy

One-day currency is launched as part of Vilnius Christmas Before Christmas event, designed to evoke the magic of childhood Christmas.

Vilnius became the first city to launch an official currency based on emotions, continuing its role as the European Christmas Capital of 2025. The city's festive celebrations, focused on sentiment and authenticity, reached a peak on December 13. On that day, thousands of residents and visitors shared childhood memories in exchange for limited-edition notes, launched in partnership with Bank of Lithuania, the country's central bank, as part of the Vilnius Christmas Before Christmas event.

Christmas currency in partnership with Bank of Lithuania

A ceremonial "first minting" by the Governor of the Bank of Lithuania outside the central bank's Money Museum launched Vilnius' Christmas currency. The first units of the currency were pine cones, reminiscent of the tokens children swap with one another. Then, in exchange for completing a small task based on their childhood memories, visitors and residents were able to acquire the currency in note form at five locations across the city, including the Money Museum and Christmas market. The notes, which were valid only on December 13, could be swapped for a range of tasty treats like hot chocolate, tea, and sweets at over 40 participating cafes, restaurants, and venues.

Speaking at the ceremony, Gediminas Šimkus, Chairman of the Board of the Bank of Lithuania, said: "This is a rare moment that is simultaneously serious and playful, when the world of finance meets a city in festive celebration. I hope that this new currency will not only circulate today, but will also continue to spread good cheer and remind us that the most important things in life are not measured in numbers, but in warmth, attention, and togetherness."

Ongoing celebrations as European Christmas capital

The Vilnius Christmas Before Christmas event for which the currency was created is a new highlight in the Lithuanian capital's festive calendar. It was created to mark Vilnius being the European Christmas Capital 2025, and is expected to become a regular fixture for the city.

Although the event is now concluded, the festivities will continue in Vilnius, with Christmas markets, an ice rink, an artisan-built carousel, and the centerpiece Christmas tree all continuing to sparkle until the festive season concludes on January 6.

Over 200 voices unite in a choir, making Vilnius feel “like one extended family”

"On December 13, we wanted to show that Christmas can be both a family celebration and a city-wide one. Vilnius residents and visitors came together to celebrate as one extended family. From Cathedral Square to the TV Tower, the whole city came alive with the Christmas spirit, including the inspiring choir of over 200 participants. We hope this is just the beginning of a new Vilnius tradition, one which adds richly to the story of Vilnius as a city that brings people together at Christmas time," said Eglė Girdzijauskaitė, Head of Communication at Go Vilnius.

Giant sledge and other activities to reconnect with childhood memories

The unique currency and Christmas choir were just two of the many events that took place in Vilnius on December 13 for Vilnius Christmas Before Christmas. Another highlight was the transformation of Sirvydas Square into an International Christmas Square featuring 144 decorated fir trees. Each tree is dedicated to a different international community living in Vilnius, with every continent represented including communities from Mexico, Ghana, Ukraine, and many others. Visitors can scan a QR code to watch videos of community representatives sharing their childhood memories of Christmas and winter from around the world. The square also features a giant red sleigh that can hold many people, offering the perfect photo opportunity along with a chance to relive the playfulness of childhood winters.

Visitors and residents also took advantage of a free-of-charge postal service. They simply wrote their message, added an address, and posted the card at various stations around the city, and Vilnius' Christmas elves took care of the rest. Other cost-free events visitors enjoyed on the day included festive tours of the city, film screenings, carousel trips and skating on the ice rink.

Barcelona named European Christmas Capital 2026

During the Vilnius Christmas Before Christmas event, at a ceremony on the Town Hall Square ice rink, Barcelona was announced as the European Christmas Capital 2026. The jury cited the Catalan city's rich traditions in history and art, and its commitment to sustainable Christmas decorations and celebration of local traditions like Tió de Nadal and Els Pastorets, as reasons for its selection.

Europe's Christmas Capital 2025 within easy reach

Vilnius is easily accessible by direct flight from Frankfurt, Copenhagen, Helsinki, and other major cities across Europe, and also serves as a perfect base for exploring the region.

Special Christmas trains featuring fairy-tale-inspired carriages are running throughout the festive period, connecting travellers to Mockava, from where they can continue their journey by rail on daily services to Warsaw and Krakow. Enchantingly decorated train carriages can also be found on local services to Kaunas, Klaipėda and Trakai, and Vilnius also has convenient rail links to Riga and Tallinn.

TSA Issues Stern Warning For Travelers: Fines Can Reach $14,000

Travelers are being reminded that certain actions could have serious consequences.

The last few months have been extremely stressful for the travel industry in the United States. And while the mention of travel woes somehow makes us think first of travelers, the situation has also been extremely tense for people employed in the industry.

During the government shutdown, not only were major carriers forced to delay or cancel thousands of flights at the country’s busiest airports, but Transportation Security Administration (TSA) agents were also working without pay.

Vice President of America Federal Government Employees Council 100/TSA Region 7 Joe Shuker warned at the time of the seriousness of the situation, highlighting that air controllers and TSA agents are already working a high-stress job, which includes looking for bombs and weapons.

Doing an already stressful job without a paycheck means “every day becomes a high risk,” Shuker said.

Even though those times are over, the situation is back to normal, and some TSA officers have received $10,000 bonus checks for working without pay during the government shutdown, the TSA still faces numerous challenges.

While holiday travel is often stressful — not only because holidays themselves can be intense, but also due to the huge crowds with everyone in a rush — it doesn’t justify bad behavior.

Crowded airports and tight travel schedules often lead to tense interactions among passengers, including line-cutting, raised voices, or confrontational behavior. TSA officials emphasize that disruptive behavior delays screening, increases risk, and can compromise the safety of both passengers and security personnel.

The TSA once again reminded travelers that bad behavior will be punished and might result in criminal charges.

On Dec. 8, the TSA posted the following message on X (previously Twitter):

“Reminder: Passengers who engage in unruly behavior at the checkpoint or inflight may face substantial penalties and possible prosecution on criminal charges. @FAANews has more info regarding inflight disturbances here: https://faa.gov/unruly.”

The post included a photo of a screen with the following note.

“No threats. No verbal abuse. No physical violence of any kind. If you threaten, endanger, or harm Transportation Security Officers during screening, TSA will pursue criminal penalties and fines of up to $13,910. Thank you for your cooperation.”

The fact that TSA continues to issue such reminders underscores the persistence of unruly behavior. While the agency’s guidance may appear basic, officials say it is necessary due to the ongoing number of incidents reported by airlines.

Incidents when airline travelers disrupt flights either with threats or violent actions remain an ongoing problem, and “airlines have seen rapid growth in occurrences since 2021,” according to a report by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The number of unruly-passenger incidents reported to the FAA by airline crews has declined over the past three years, but only after a sharp spike in 2021.

Unruly-passenger incidents by year:

2017: 544 incidents

2018: 889 incidents

2019: 1,161 incidents

2020: 1,009 incidents

2021: 5,973 incidents

2022: 2,453 incidents

2023: 2,074 incidents

2024: 2,096 incidents

2025: 1,505 incidents

Source: Federal Aviation Administration

“The rate of unruly passenger incidents steadily dropped by over 80 percent since record highs in early 2021, but recent increases show there remains more work to do,” stated the FAA.

What to do when an airline passenger behaves badly

Jeff Price, Metropolitan State University of Denver Aviation professor, shared expert advice on various travel topics, including when passengers don’t behave appropriately.

“Interference with a crew member is a federal offense,” Price told Colorado News and Culture from MSU Denver. “Unruly passengers may find themselves under criminal prosecution and ultimately have to pay hundreds of thousands of dollars in fines. It’s really not worth it.”

https://www.thestreet.com/author/nina-zdinjak

Applicants For Trump’s Newly Released Gold Immigration Cards Could Have Wasted $1M If Courts Axe Program

The Trump administration this week launched the president’s immigration “gold card,” a program allowing applicants to pay $1 million to become lawful permanent residents, but legal experts warn all that money could go down the drain for these hopefuls because the initiative rests on flawed legal reasoning and could be struck down in court.

Other Trump tweaks to the immigration system like a new $100,000 fee for H-1B applicants have already spawned major lawsuits, and if the gold card melts down in a court battle, applicants would face a slim chance of ever getting their money back, Shev Dalal-Dheini, senior director of government relations at the American Immigration Lawyers Association, told Axios.

“At the very minimum, they’d have to sue the U.S. government to get it back,” she said.

In addition to applicants being out $1 million, a court challenge could also imperil the status of people who have already gotten their gold cards.

Critics warn that the gold card program, which gives applicants permanent residency through EB-1 and EB-2 visas usually reserved for people with extraordinary abilities like famous academics or artists, exceeds the president’s legal powers. Congress, they say, can create new immigration law, not the president.

Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, called the whole process “VERY illegal” in a post on X this week.

“The Trump admin says anyone who pays $1 million will be deemed to have ‘exceptional business ability’ and become eligible for an employment-based immigrant visa,” he wrote. “But there's nothing stopping someone from just getting a loan or using parents' money.”

“Of course, nothing exemplifies the Trump ethos more than ‘every rich person is exceptional at business,’” he added, “but that doesn't change the fact that people who are getting this visa will not necessarily meet the legal requirements, and could risk deportation under a future admin.”

Legal concerns aside, the administration looks set to continue tilting the immigration system away from the most vulnerable and toward the wealthiest applicants.

The White House says a $5 million “platinum card” is on the way giving foreigners temporary residence in the U.S. without being subject to U.S. taxes on foreign income.

After an Afghan national allegedly shot National Guard troops in Washington, the administration froze all asylum decisions, ordered the review of green cards from a series of mostly impoverished nations on his so-called travel ban list, and indefinitely blocked immigration applications from Afghans.

By Josh Marcus

Travelore News: Israel Planning Administration Approves Construction Permit For Ben Gurion Airport Expansion

The Israel Planning Administration approves the application for a construction permit for an expansion project at Tel Aviv’s Ben Gurion Airport’s main Terminal 3, designed to meet an expected steady rise in passenger traffic and improve operational services in the coming years.

Travelers at Ben Gurion International Airport, September 15, 2025. (Yossi Aloni/FLASH90)

The permit is for the construction of a new building, which will house advanced baggage-handling systems, operational offices, passenger check-in counters, and dedicated unloading areas, at an estimated cost of NIS 1 billion ($311 million).

In addition, the planned building structure will serve as the foundation for a hotel, slated for construction on the eastern rooftop level, which will be accessible to travelers directly from the terminal.

“Advancement on the permit for the hold baggage screening (HBS) building is an important step in strengthening Ben Gurion Airport’s operational capabilities and preparing for increased passenger traffic,” says Ron Rekah, head of the Licensing and Construction Department at the Israel Planning Administration. “The structure is an excellent example of dual-use, as a hotel will be built above the building, directly adjacent to the terminal.”

The expanded structure at Terminal 3 is expected to improve operational efficiency and bring the airport in line with international standards. In 2025, about 19 million passengers are expected to pass through Ben Gurion Airport, and in 2026, a total of 22 million.

https://www.timesofisrael.com/writers/sharon-wrobel/

Liberia: Royal Air Maroc To Launch Africa’s First Direct Flight To U.S. West Coast In 2026

In a major leap for African aviation, Morocco’s national airline, Royal Air Maroc (RAM), announced on Thursday that it will inaugurate a historic nonstop route between Casablanca and Los Angeles beginning June 7, 2026.

The service Africa’s first direct air link to the U.S. Pacific Coast marks a significant expansion in global connectivity and positions Morocco as a central bridge between Africa, Europe, and the Americas.

A Milestone 12-Hour Direct Connection

According to the airline, the new route will operate three times per week and offer a flight time of approximately 12 hours, making it one of RAM’s longest intercontinental services.

The launch comes amid rapidly rising transatlantic travel demand and just months before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, jointly hosted by the United States, Mexico, and Canada.

The U.S. hosted over 70 million international visitors in 2023, with West Coast tourism rebounding strongly conditions RAM aims to leverage.

Targeting Diaspora, Tourists, and World Cup Travelers

RAM says the service primarily targets:

The Moroccan and African diaspora in the U.S.

American leisure travelers

Business communities across the Pacific Rim

Football supporters heading to the 2026 World Cup, expected to draw up to 5 million international fans

“This direct route to Los Angeles is much more than a new destination. It is a historic milestone for the airline and for Africa’s air connectivity,” said Hamid Addou, RAM’s Chairman and CEO.

He emphasized that the expansion aligns with Morocco’s strategy to strengthen tourism, investment flows, and cultural linkages with the United States already one of Morocco’s fastest-growing visitor markets.

Strengthening Casablanca as a Continental Aviation Hub

With this addition, Casablanca’s Mohammed V International Airport reinforces its role as one of Africa’s top air hubs.

Prior to the announcement, the airport handled over 10 million passengers annually, connecting more than 100 destinations worldwide.

RAM currently serves five major cities in North America—New York, Washington, Miami, Montreal, and Toronto.

The Los Angeles route becomes the airline’s sixth North American destination and its first on the U.S. West Coast.

The rollout also complements RAM’s broader long-term development plan, which includes:

Expanding the fleet to more than 200 aircraft by 2037

Opening new long-haul destinations in the Americas, Middle East, and Asia

Increasing frequencies on strategic routes such as São Paulo, Dubai, Miami, and Washington

Boeing 787 Dreamliners to Serve the Route

Flights will be operated using Boeing 787 Dreamliners, a modern aircraft family known for:

Lower fuel consumption

Larger cabin windows

Enhanced humidity and pressurization systems

Improved passenger comfort and reduced jet lag

The 787 fleet has been central to RAM’s global expansion strategy, enabling longer nonstop routes while maintaining competitive operating costs.

Flight Schedule

Casablanca → Los Angeles

Tuesdays, Fridays, Sundays

Departure: 04:00

Arrival: 08:20 (same day)

Los Angeles → Casablanca

Tuesdays, Fridays, Sundays

Departure: 10:20

Arrival: 05:25 (next day)

Boosting Morocco’s Global Reach Before 2030 World Cup

The announcement further strengthens Morocco’s international profile ahead of the 2030 FIFA World Cup, which it will co-host with Spain and Portugal.

Improved air accessibility is expected to play a crucial role in positioning Morocco as a premier global tourism and investment destination.

With the new Casablanca–Los Angeles route, Royal Air Maroc confirms its ambition to remain one of Africa’s leading global carriers, helping connect the continent to major economic and cultural hubs around the world.
By: Julius Konton

Tourists From 42 Countries Will Have To Submit 5 Years Of Social Media History To Enter U.S. Under Trump Plan

The Trump administration is proposing to ask visitors from several dozen nations that enjoy visa-free travel to the U.S. to submit additional personal information before entering the country, including five years of their social media history, the Department of Homeland Security said in a notice this week.

Citizens of 42 countries enrolled in the visa waiver program can generally come to the U.S. for up to 90 days for tourism or business travel, without needing to apply for a visa at an American embassy or consulate, a process that can take months or even years.

The list of countries in the visa waiver program includes many European nations like the United Kingdom, Germany and France, as well as some U.S. allies around the world, including Australia, Israel, Japan, New Zealand and South Korea.

While citizens of these nations typically don't need visas to travel to the U.S., they still have to submit an application online using a process known as the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, or ESTA, before entering the country. That system is designed to ensure applicants are eligible for visa-free travel to the U.S., and that they don't pose security concerns.

The Trump administration is proposing to overhaul the ESTA system, mainly to transform it into a mobile-only process. The plan would require applicants to share additional information about themselves and their relatives, according to a notice posted in the federal government's journal of regulations by Customs and Border Protection, a branch of DHS.

The notice said CBP plans to ask visa waiver travelers to share their social media history for the past five years, emails they have used for the past 10 years and the personal information of immediate family members, including phone numbers and residences. The submission of social media history from the last five years will be a mandatory requirement under the proposal, according to the notice.

CBP said the changes, which still have to be reviewed by the White House's budget office, are designed to enforce an executive order President Trump issued earlier this year with the stated objective of denying entry to foreigners who may pose a threat to national security or public safety.

But critics of the proposed changes said they could scare prospective travelers and negatively impact tourism, especially months before the U.S. hosts the 2026 FIFA World Cup, alongside Canada and Mexico, next summer.

Over the past year, the Trump administration has mounted an aggressive effort to increase vetting and screening procedures across the U.S. immigration system.

While the State Department has moved to scrutinize visa applicants overseas more heavily, some of the changes affect people already in the U.S. who are applying to stay in the country legally through applications for asylum, green cards or American citizenship.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has instructed officials to investigate the social media history of several classes of immigrants, including for views and activities deemed to be "anti-American." It has also directed adjudicators to more intensely probe the "good moral character" of legal immigrants requesting U.S. citizenship.

By Camilo Montoya-Galvez