American Airlines’ Boeing 787 Operations: PHL Tops Global Hubs

American Airlines has established itself as a significant operator of Boeing 787 Dreamliners, with a focus on long-haul international routes from its major hubs in the United States. Currently, the airline boasts a fleet of 67 Dreamliners, which includes 37 787-8 models and 30 larger 787-9 variants. According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, these aircraft facilitated over 16,000 flights in 2025 across American Airlines’ five busiest Boeing 787 hubs.

Philadelphia International Airport Leads the Pack

In 2025, Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) emerged as American Airlines’ busiest hub for Boeing 787 operations. The airline scheduled a remarkable 5,945 flights from PHL, providing approximately 1.4 million seats for travelers. PHL serves as a crucial connection point for transatlantic flights, with the highest volume of operations directed towards major European destinations.

The airport features a diverse roster of 17 transatlantic routes, including frequent services to London Heathrow (LHR), which alone accounted for 575 flights in 2025. In addition to international travel, American Airlines operates four domestic routes from PHL, linking it to Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), and Miami International Airport (MIA). Among these, the PHL-MIA route stands out as the busiest, with 498 scheduled flights in the same year.

Key Hubs in Dallas and Chicago

Following Philadelphia, Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) ranks as American Airlines’ second-busiest hub for the Boeing 787. The airline planned 3,662 Dreamliner flights from DFW in 2025, offering a total of 930,525 seats throughout the year. The primary 787 route from DFW is to Philadelphia, with 404 flights scheduled for 2025. Additionally, American Airlines provides several transatlantic connections from DFW, including routes to Amsterdam (AMS), Frankfurt (FRA), Venice (VCE), and Barcelona (BCN).

Chicago O’Hare (ORD) follows closely as the third-busiest hub for American Airlines, with 2,582 scheduled flights in 2025, which translates to 633,943 seats available. Miami International Airport (MIA) is also significant, with 2,237 flights planned. Meanwhile, London Heathrow ranks as the fifth-busiest hub, with 1,682 flights scheduled in 2025.

American Airlines continues to invest in its Boeing 787 fleet, comprising 67 Dreamliners, including the 787-8 and 787-9 models. Additionally, the airline has 22 787-9s on order, enhancing its long-haul capabilities. The airline also operates specialized 787-9Ps, which feature a premium-heavy cabin configuration with 51 Flagship business suites, 32 redesigned premium economy seats, and 161 economy seats.

Despite its strong operational footprint, American Airlines has faced challenges with Boeing 787 deliveries. In January 2025, the airline announced the suspension of three European routes and a reduction in flight frequencies for the summer season due to ongoing delays in aircraft deliveries. The airline noted, “American is adjusting service on certain routes in summer 2025 to ensure we are able to re-accommodate customers on affected flights.” By June 2025, American Airlines had suspended six transatlantic routes for the upcoming winter season, not due to delivery delays but rather to address reduced demand for those services.

American Airlines remains committed to its Boeing 787 operations, continuously adapting to the changing demands of international travel while ensuring a reliable and extensive network for its customers.