As American Airlines celebrates its centennial year and marks 100 years since its first mail flight in 1926, American Airlines Cargo is reflecting on more than 80 years of innovation, operational excellence and service to customers around the world.
The story of American’s cargo business began formally on October 15, 1944, when a DC-3 carrying more than 6,000 pounds of freight completed the world’s first scheduled air cargo flight between New York City and Burbank, California. Long before that historic 19-hour journey, the airline’s lineage in cargo can be traced to early airmail routes flown by American Airways’ predecessors, including flights operated by Charles Lindbergh between Chicago and St. Louis. This legacy of aviation and cargo innovation set the foundation for decades of advancements that have shaped the modern air cargo industry.
Throughout its history, American Airlines Cargo introduced a series of breakthroughs that helped define the field. In the 1940s, American became the first airline with dedicated cargo terminals, which allowed raised platform loading and more efficient freight movement at airports. American introduced the first coast-to-coast all-cargo flight, the first air freight loading conveyors, and the first corrugated shipping container created specifically for apparel. In 1954, the company introduced the first Unit Load Device in the industry, known as the Paul Bunyan Box. By the 1960s, American’s innovations continued with the Astroloader, the first powered cargo loader for the Boeing 707, and the Astroroller, the first in-plane roller system designed to increase speed and safety in cargo loading.
That pioneering spirit extended beyond freight. In the 1950s, American demonstrated an early passion for pet transportation by designing the first standardised animal container, setting the foundation for how airlines safely transport animals worldwide. American has long been recognised for its care, expertise and commitment to safely moving animals across its network.
These early milestones were accompanied by remarkable shipments that became part of the company’s culture. During the 1970s, American’s 747 freighter transported a San Francisco cable car to New York City for a street fair. In the 2000s, American helped global museums move priceless objects, including artefacts from Tutankhamun’s tomb that were flown to Dallas for a major exhibition. The company also deepened its support of the cold chain pharmaceutical industry, carrying delicate vaccines and treatments that rely on precise temperature control and rapid delivery.
American’s role in supporting communities continued through the decades. After Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico in 2017, American was among the first to land on the island with critical supplies, including food, water and generators. That legacy of humanitarian service continues today through American’s partnership with Airlink, which has supported shipments to Ukraine, Haiti, Maui, Brazil, Jamaica and many other regions.
This week, the centennial celebration provides an opportunity to highlight how American Airlines Cargo continues to evolve in ways that reflect both industry demands and the needs of its customers. In 2025, the cargo organisation delivered one of its strongest operational performances, moving more than 475 million kilograms of freight and mail across its network.
At London Heathrow, American transitioned into a new, larger 120,000‑square‑foot cargo facility that nearly doubled its previous capacity.
Network strength continues to be a central pillar of American’s cargo strategy. As of 2026, the airline operates one of the youngest fleets in the United States, with modern Boeing 787 aircraft offering increased efficiency, cargo capacity and long-haul performance. The schedule includes 186 daily international widebody flights during peak summer periods and more than 4,000 monthly widebody flights between the United States and Europe.
The cargo business continues to invest heavily in modernisation. Enhancements to digital booking on aacargo.com emphasise transparency, ease of doing business and operational efficiency. American Airlines Cargo has also developed a focused artificial intelligence strategy, applying AI in high‑impact areas across the cargo journey to improve decision‑making and customer outcomes.
Temperature-controlled shipping remains a strategic area of growth for American. The ExpediteTC℠ program, launched in 2009, is supported by a network of cooler facilities across Philadelphia, Miami, London, San Juan, Dallas Fort Worth, Chicago, New York and more. Teams across the globe are trained to handle life sciences shipments, with particular emphasis given to the robust support system American Airlines Cargo has established in key shipping corridors, spanning 30 CEIV- or GDP-certified stations throughout the network. These capabilities enable American to support the global flow of life-saving medicines and medical treatments.
Sustainability remains a core priority for the airline. Through its partnership with BioNatur, American Airlines Cargo has replaced hundreds of thousands of pounds of traditional plastic wrap with biodegradable alternatives across its cargo operations. In 2025 alone, the use of BioNatur films reduced long-term plastic waste by the equivalent of more than 19 million plastic water bottles, bringing the total reduction to more than 38 million since the partnership began.
As the centennial year unfolds, American Airlines Cargo is using this moment not only to honour its past but to shape the trajectory of its future. Greg Schwendinger, President of American Airlines Cargo, summarised the significance of this milestone by saying, “As we celebrate one hundred years of American Airlines, we are also celebrating the legacy our cargo team has built over more than eight decades. Our people bring passion, skill and an incredible dedication to our customers, and it is their work that positions us so strongly for the future.”
The story of American Airlines Cargo continues to be one of innovation, operational strength and dedication to customers across the globe. From the first scheduled air cargo flight in 1944 to the transportation of priceless artefacts, endangered wildlife, lifesaving medical shipments and billions of pounds of freight every year, American’s cargo division stands ready to lead the next century of global logistics.
