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American is preparing to deliver a safe, reliable operation during one of
the year’s busiest travel periods.
FORT WORTH, Texas — As millions of customers prepare to gather with family
and friends this Thanksgiving, American Airlines is ready to help make those
important connections possible and deliver a safe, reliable operation across
its global network.
Nov. 19 through Dec. 1, American and its regional partners expect to welcome
more than 8 million customers across nearly 85,000 flights, including 7,021
flights on Sunday, Nov. 29 — the airline’s largest operating day since the
pandemic. Across the airline, team members have spent months preparing for the
holiday rush, from fine-tuning schedules and resources to strengthening the
technology and tools that help keep the operation running smoothly.
"Thanksgiving is about bringing people closer to family, friends and
traditions," said American's Chief Operating Officer David Seymour. "Our team
is ready for one of the busiest travel periods of the year, and we're focused
on delivering a safe, reliable operation so our customers can spend less time
thinking about holiday travel and more time enjoying the holiday."
American’s 2026 Thanksgiving operation by the numbers
Nearly 85,000 flights: American and its regional
partners will operate nearly 85,000 flights, up 4% from 2025.
More than 8 million customers: That’s enough to fill more than
1 million Thanksgiving tables with eight guests each or fill every
seat on an American Boeing 737 — one of the birds in its flock — more than
46,000 times.
The busiest day: American plans to operate
7,021 flights on Sunday, Nov. 29, its largest single day of flying since the pandemic.
A takeoff every
13 seconds: That’s about the time it takes
to pour a cup of coffee, and American will have another flight in the air.
The schedule includes quick trips, like Miami (MIA) to Bimini, Bahamas
(BIM), at 64 miles, and long-haul flights, such as Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) to
Brisbane, Australia (BNE), at 8,299 miles.
1,130 flights at once: At 11 a.m. CT on Nov. 20, 29 and
30, American will have
1,130 flights operating simultaneously, all
supported by a team of nearly 500 people on duty at any given time at
American’s Integrated Operations
Center.
While Thanksgiving is one of the busiest travel periods of the year, it is
also one of the most rewarding. Every day, American's team members work behind
the scenes to help customers reunite with loved ones, celebrate traditions and
create new and lasting memories.
Delivering for customers
Since last Thanksgiving, American has continued investing in the people,
technology and experiences that make travel easier and more enjoyable. This
holiday season, customers can look forward to:
-
Finding their preferred seat with less work: Eligible
AAdvantage® members can
set their seat preferences in the American app and let it automatically
move them when a preferred seat becomes available.
-
Staying connected for free: AAdvantage® members
can stay connected with
free high-speed Wi-Fi, sponsored by AT&T, on nearly every American
flight.
-
More to enjoy on board: Customers can enjoy new
complimentary
Main Cabin snacks, including Goldfish crackers and Tate’s cookies,
where eligible.
- Saving on checked bags: Customers can save $5 on
eligible checked bags by paying ahead on aa.com or the American app.
-
More ways to earn: Enhanced Citi® /
AAdvantage® cards offer
new ways to earn miles and enjoy travel benefits.
-
More flexibility with miles: Eligible members can now
combine
cash and miles when booking flights, providing more flexibility to use
their rewards.
- More deals on the way: Travelers can look to American
for Cyber Week and Travel Tuesday offers to help inspire their next
getaway.
"Whether customers are traveling across the country or around the world, we
want every part of their journey to feel easier and more convenient," said
American’s Chief Customer Officer Heather Garboden. “From finding the right
seat to staying connected in the air, these enhancements give customers more
ways to personalize their travel experience.”
Customers can make holiday travel easier by checking in through the American
app, monitoring flight status before heading to the airport and allowing extra
time for busy airports and security checkpoints, where eligible customers at
participating airports are encouraged to use
TSA PreCheck Touchless ID. Customers can also use the app to track checked
bags, receive real-time travel updates and stay connected throughout their
journey.
About American Airlines Group (NASDAQ: AAL)
American Airlines is a premium global airline connecting more of the U.S. to the world. With roots tracing back to an air mail carrier in the Midwestern United States in 1926, American now operates more than 6,000 daily flights to more than 350 destinations in more than 60 countries and serves more than 200 million customers annually. Powered by a proud and talented team of 130,000 aviation professionals, American’s team lives out the airline’s purpose of caring for people on life’s journey every day.
The world’s largest airline proudly celebrates its centennial year in 2026, reaching a milestone that reflects a century of innovation and the Forever ForwardSM spirit that changed the industry and the world. American introduced the first scheduled air cargo service, the first airport lounge and the first airline loyalty program and continues to reinvent the customer experience today. The airline is also a founding member of the oneworld alliance, whose members serve more than 900 destinations around the globe.
Get the latest about American at news.aa.com and @AmericanAir.