American Airlines Gears Up With Five New Transatlantic Routes

As cooler weather begins to settle in, American Airlines is already setting its sights on the warm days of summer 2025, gearing up to whisk more travelers across the Atlantic.

With the introduction of five new routes and the return of others, the airline is further solidifying its position as a major player in transatlantic travel.

American will resume flights to Edinburgh, Scotland (EDI), for the first time since 2019, and add new routes to popular destinations like Athens (ATH), Madrid (MAD), Milan (MXP), and Rome (FCO).

“We look forward to providing customers more ways to visit their favorite destinations in Europe next summer,” said Brian Znotins, the airline’s Senior Vice President of Network and Schedule Planning.

Photo: American Airlines gates. Courtesy of Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport

For travelers, this means more convenient access to some of Europe’s most sought-after cities. Here’s a breakdown of what’s in store.

American Returns to Scotland

American Airlines is bringing back its Philadelphia (PHL) to Edinburgh (EDI) route, marking the first time since 2019 that the airline will offer nonstop flights to the Scottish capital. As one of Scotland’s most visited cities, Edinburgh offers travelers access to historic castles, rugged landscapes, and a vibrant cultural scene.

Gary Leff, an aviation expert and publisher of View From the Wing, reminds, “Philadelphia – Edinburgh is a route that last operated in 2019 – it didn’t return post-pandemic – but it stretches back to US Airways days there.”

Photo: Edinburgh, Scotland. Courtesy of Peter Cordes / Unsplash.

Edinburgh Airport’s CEO, Gordon Dewar, is equally enthusiastic, stating, “We are delighted to be welcoming American Airlines back to Edinburgh as they reinstate their direct seasonal service to Philadelphia.”

For American, the Philadelphia hub remains critical to its transatlantic operations, connecting passengers from more than 80 U.S. cities to destinations across Europe. With Edinburgh added to the mix, American now serves 17 transatlantic destinations from its Philadelphia hub.

A New Connection to Iberia’s Hub

Another highlight of this 2025 summer schedule update is the launch of a new route between Chicago (ORD) and Madrid (MAD). This is particularly noteworthy as Madrid is the main hub of Iberia, American’s joint venture partner.

Photo: Iberia, Airbus A330 in Madrid. Courtesy of Miguel Ángel Sanz / Unsplash

Following the demise of American Airlines’ transatlantic operations from Chicago—with the exception of London Heathrow— Madrid re-emerges as a significant connecting spot in Europe, thanks to Iberia’s operation in the city.

This new link provides travelers passing through Chicago with seamless access to Spain and many onward destinations spanning Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

Another Gateway to Greece

American’s addition of a daily flight from Charlotte (CLT) to Athens (ATH) highlights the airline’s goal to continue serving Greece, one of Europe’s most popular summer destinations. With this new route, American will offer four daily flights to Greece—more than any other U.S. carrier.

While Athens is the gateway, many passengers will be looking to continue to the iconic Greek islands.

Photo: Athens, Greece. Courtesy of Constantinos Kollias / Unsplash

The introduction of this route is especially intriguing, as it was hinted at early on when Charlotte Airport followed Athens on Instagram—a move that didn’t go unnoticed by aviation enthusiasts.

Miami to Rome: Italy Beckons

Rome remains one of Europe’s perennial favorites, and American is making it easier than ever for travelers to get there. Starting in July 2025, American will offer a new daily service between Miami (MIA) and Rome (FCO)—a route that’s been exclusive to Italian flag carrier ITA Airways.

This marks an important expansion in the airline’s Italian offerings, with Rome being served from six U.S. airports.

Photo: Piazza di Spagna in Rome, Italy. Courtesy of Vlas Telino studio/Shutterstock

With this, Italy continues to be one of the top destinations for U.S. travelers, and American is keen to meet this demand by increasing its flights to Rome and Milan. Also, this new route consolidates Rome as the airline’s top European summer destination for the second year in a row.

Extended Service and More to Come

American Airlines is not only launching new routes, but it’s also extending seasonal flights introduced in 2024. Passengers can expect the return of routes like Dallas (DFW) to Barcelona (BCN), Philadelphia to Copenhagen (CPH), and Philadelphia to Naples (NAP).

Photo: Copenhagen. Courtesy of Nick Karvounis / Unsplash

Additionally, the winter seasonal service from Miami to Paris will now extend into summer, giving travelers more flexibility when planning their European vacations.

Beyond Europe, American is also making moves in the Pacific. The airline will expand capacity on routes from Dallas and Los Angeles to Tokyo, with larger aircraft flying to Haneda and Narita.

American Airlines is also upgauging its Dallas-Shanghai route, reflecting growing demand for Asia-Pacific travel.

What About New York?

While American’s hubs in Philadelphia, Miami, and Charlotte are seeing significant expansions, New York JFK hub appears to have been left out of the 2025 summer updates. Leff points out, “JFK doesn’t seem any new love from American for summer 2025. With the loss of their JetBlue partnership, they continue to struggle with a strategy for their New York hub.”

Photo: Courtesy of American Airlines

The dissolution of the JetBlue partnership following an antitrust suit has left American reassessing its approach in the highly competitive New York market.

Looking Ahead to Summer 2025

With over 70 daily transatlantic departures planned for summer 2025, American Airlines is positioning itself as a key player in connecting U.S. travelers to Europe. From exploring the rich history of Rome and Athens to discovering the charm of Edinburgh and the energy of Madrid, American’s new routes open up exciting possibilities for summer travelers.

These new route developments show that American Airlines favors flying to their close partner hubs and offering seasonal flights to other destinations as part of their international travel strategy. Whether you’re seeking to bask in the warm Mediterranean sun or embark on an adventure through the northern regions of Europe, these expanded transatlantic services promise to be a standout feature of the upcoming summer travel season.