American Airlines Plans Six New European Routes for 2026 Expansion

American Airlines is expanding its international long-haul routes for summer 2026, introducing a new daily flight from Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) to Athens, making it the airline's fifth U.S. gateway to Greece. The airline is also reviving seasonal routes from DFW to Zurich and Buenos Aires, the latter extending its summer service period. Additionally, American will launch seasonal flights from Philadelphia to Budapest and Prague, further betting on international travel. These expansions align with American's role as the official North American supplier of flights to the 2026 FIFA World Cup, with games hosted in Arlington near Dallas. Meanwhile, Alaska Airlines is entering the premium transatlantic market with its first nonstop service from Seattle to London Heathrow, utilizing new 787-9 Dreamliners with lie-flat business suites. Alaska's expansion includes daily summer flights to Reykjavik and a refreshed fleet livery, signaling its broader global ambitions through strategic partnerships within the oneworld alliance.