Yesterday we saw United Airlines announce its biggest international expansion in history, as the airline is adding service to 10 new international cities. Ahead of that, the airline teased new routes, so that travelers could guess what would be added… I love when airlines make such a game of this!
Well, it appears that American Airlines plans to announce its new summer 2027 routes tomorrow, and the airline has just dropped a teaser as well. This one seems a bit easier to figure out…
American drops hints about new summer 2027 routes
American has taken to social media, to post four pictures of a “menu.” As the caption explains, “this menu isn’t for ordering,” but instead, “it’s for decoding.” The idea is that travelers are supposed to figure out the new destinations based on the menu items, before the formal announcement on Thursday, August 27, 2026.
Below is the menu cover, which makes it clear that these routes will launch in the summer of 2027.
Then below are the three pages of menus, intended to be the clues about new destinations. It’s not clear if each of these represents a new route, or what…
So, what new routes will American announce?
United puts so much effort into its route teasing, though often it’s so complex and detailed that it’s sort of impossible to make any educated guesses. By contrast, American is making this much easier. Presumably there’s significance to the dishes, the prices, and the descriptions.
For example, the “single-patty hamburger” costs $21.27, and is described as “featuring 321 individual pickled red herring strips on an all-American patty. Served with a toasted UIO bun.” You can also “add on 1,776 sesame seeds for $2.15.”
Okay, I’m guessing this is a route that will be operated by the Airbus A321XLR (based on the “321”), and it will be out of Philadelphia (based on the “1,776,” plus the “$2.15” representing the area code for Philadelphia). Ummm, “UIO” is the airport code for Quito, so could American be looking at flying the A321XLR from Philadelphia to Quito? That’s not exactly what I would’ve expected as one of the first long haul A321XLR routes out of Philadelphia, but…
Okay, I’ll let y’all take a stab at the rest of them. 😉
Bottom line
On Thursday, August 27, 2026, American will announce new international routes, launching in the summer of 2027. The airline has today dropped some hints, in the form of a “menu” that can be decoded. By all means get your guesses in, as I feel this is a bit easier to figure out than United’s clues.
Can anyone guess all of American’s new international routes?
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