As American Airlines celebrates its centennial year and marks 100 years
since its first mail flight in 1926, American Airlines Cargo is reflecting on
more than 80 years of innovation, operational excellence and service to
customers around the world.
The story of American’s cargo business began formally on Oct. 15, 1944, when
a DC-3 carrying more than 6,000 pounds of freight completed the world’s first
scheduled air cargo flight between New York City and Burbank, California. Long
before that historic 19-hour journey, the airline’s lineage in cargo can be
traced to early airmail routes flown by predecessors of American Airways,
including flights operated by Charles Lindbergh between Chicago and St. Louis.
This legacy of aviation and cargo innovation set the foundation for decades of
advancements that have shaped the modern air cargo industry.
Throughout its history, Cargo introduced a series of breakthroughs that
helped define the field. In the 1940s, American became the first airline with
dedicated cargo terminals, which allowed raised platform loading and more
efficient freight movement at airports. American introduced the first coast to
coast all-cargo flight, the first air freight loading conveyors and the first
corrugated shipping container created specifically for apparel. In 1954, the
company introduced the first unit load device in the industry, known as the
Paul Bunyan Box. By the 1960s, American’s innovations continued with the
Astroloader, the first powered cargo loader for the Boeing 707, and the
Astroroller, the first in-plane roller system designed to increase speed and
safety in cargo loading.
That pioneering spirit extended beyond freight. In the 1950s, American
demonstrated an early passion for pet transportation by designing the first
standardized animal container, setting the foundation for how airlines safely
transport animals worldwide. American has long been recognized for its care,
expertise and commitment to safely moving animals across its network.
These early milestones were accompanied by remarkable shipments that became
part of the company’s culture. During the 1970s, American’s Boeing 747
freighter transported a San Francisco cable car to New York City for a street
fair. In the 2000s, American helped global museums move priceless objects,
including artifacts from Tutankhamun’s tomb that were flown to Dallas for a
major exhibition. The company also deepened its support of the cold chain
pharmaceutical industry, carrying delicate vaccines and treatments that rely on
precise temperature control and rapid delivery.
American’s role in supporting communities continued through the decades.
After Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico in 2017, American was among the first to
land on the island with critical supplies, including food, water and
generators. That legacy of humanitarian service continues today through
American’s partnership with Airlink, which has supported shipments to places
like Ukraine, Haiti, Brazil, and Maui.
The centennial celebration provides an opportunity to highlight how Cargo
continues to evolve in ways that reflect both industry demands and the needs of
its customers. At London Heathrow (LHR), American transitioned into a new,
larger 120,000-square-foot cargo facility that nearly doubled its previous
capacity. In 2025, Cargo delivered one of its strongest operational
performances, moving more than 475 million kilograms of freight and mail across
its network. Reflecting this strong end-to-end execution, Cargo was also
recognized among the most reliable airlines of 2025 by Air Cargo News.
Network strength continues to be a central pillar of American’s cargo
strategy. As of 2026, the airline operates one of the youngest fleets in the
United States, with modern Boeing 787 aircraft offering increased efficiency,
cargo capacity and long-haul performance. The schedule includes 186 daily
international widebody flights during peak summer periods and more than 4,000
monthly widebody flights between the United States and Europe.
“As we celebrate one hundred years of American Airlines, we are also
celebrating the legacy our Cargo team has built over more than eight
decades,” said President of American Airlines Cargo Greg Schwendinger. “Our
people bring passion, skill and an incredible dedication to our customers,
and it is their work that positions us so strongly for the future.”
The story of American Airlines Cargo continues to be one of innovation,
operational strength and dedication to customers across the globe. From the
first scheduled air cargo flight in 1944 to the transportation of priceless
artifacts, endangered wildlife, lifesaving medical shipments and billions of
pounds of freight every year, American’s Cargo division stands ready to lead
the next century of global logistics.