American Airlines is temporarily adjusting its summer schedule to better connect cities hosting matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The carrier said Thursday that it will increase the number of flights on certain routes and use larger aircraft to accommodate the expected spike in passengers in June and July.
The U.S., Canada, and Mexico are jointly hosting the tournament next year.
“American is ready with its game plan for the FIFA World Cup 26, adding an extra 27,000 seats on 12 routes this summer,” Brian Znotins, American’s senior vice president of network planning, said in a news release. “With more flights to all host cities, we’re making sure fans don’t miss the chance to take part in this once-in-a-lifetime moment across North America.”
The routes with expanded and/or upgraded service are:
- Boston and Dallas/Fort Worth: June 18-July 11; more flights and upgauged aircraft
- Atlanta and Miami: June 16-July 17; more flights and upgauged aircraft
- Philadelphia and Toronto: June 15-30; upgauged aircraft
- Kansas City and Philadelphia: June 15-22; upgauged aircraft
- Los Angeles and Seattle: June 13-July 8; upgauged aircraft
- Atlanta and New York-LaGuardia: July 16-17; more flights and upgauged aircraft
- Los Angeles and Vancouver: June 16-26; more flights
- Dallas/Fort Worth and San Jose, California: June 17-27; more flights
- Atlanta and Philadelphia: June 20-21; more flights and upgauged aircraft
- Miami and Toronto: June 28-29; upgauged aircraft
American will also add new nonstop flights between New York-LaGuardia and Kansas City on June 21 and 22 and between Atlanta and Kansas City from July 8 to 13 for the tournament’s quarterfinal round.
According to FIFA’s official schedule, matches will take place between June 11 and July 19. The organization estimates that between five million and six million people will attend World Cup events in the three host countries.
American is the official North American airline of the event.
