American Airlines announced on August 27, 2026, it will begin operating three new transatlantic routes from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) in 2027, connecting to Porto, Portugal; Vienna, Austria; and Reykjavik, Iceland.
Flight Launch Dates and Aircraft Details
Flights to Porto start March 28, 2027, followed by Vienna on May 6, 2027, and Reykjavik on May 27, 2027. The Porto and Vienna routes will use Airbus A321XLR aircraft, while the Reykjavik route will operate with Airbus A321neo aircraft. Tickets for these routes go on sale beginning August 31, 2026.
American Airlines’ Position at Philadelphia International Airport
American Airlines is the largest carrier at Philadelphia International Airport, having carried over 20 million travelers in 2025,
accounting for nearly 70% of the airport’s passenger volume. Frontier Airlines is the second largest, transporting approximately 3 million passengers in the same year. American also increased its flight volume at Philadelphia by 10% in summer 2026 compared to summer 2025.
Recent Route Expansions and Route Restorations
In recent years, American has expanded its Philadelphia European network with flights to Copenhagen, Denmark; Nice, France; Naples, Italy; and reinstated services to Budapest, Hungary, and Prague, Czech Republic.
Benefits to Travelers and Operational Context
Once these new routes begin, American Airlines will offer 21 transatlantic routes from Philadelphia, increasing direct leisure travel options. The Reykjavik route was first announced in 2019 but delayed due
to pandemic travel restrictions. The Porto service required government approval prior to launch. Philadelphia International Airport serves as a major base for American, which carries nearly 70% of its passengers.
Cesar Marchese, vice president of operations for American Airlines in Philadelphia, said Philadelphia “has a much bigger footprint when it comes to leisure summer travel” compared to New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport.
