American Airlines marks 70 years of firsts at Chicago O’Hare with heritage livery Boeing 737 aircraft
October 30, 2025
This week, American Airlines joined the City of Chicago in celebrating the 70th anniversary of commercial air service at O’Hare International Airport (ORD).
The carrier marked the occasion with a nostalgic nod to the past — reenacting O’Hare’s inaugural passenger flight using a Boeing 737-800 painted in the classic Trans World Airlines (TWA) heritage livery.
The celebration honoured TWA Flight 94’s ceremonial departure for Paris on Oct. 29, 1955, which inaugurated passenger service at what was then Chicago’s new airport.
Passengers aboard American Flight 2743 were treated to a surprise gate celebration and a water cannon salute before departure, as American’s “Astrojet” TWA heritage livery turned back the clock to the 1950s for a day.
American’s shared legacy with Chicago
“For 70 years, American has grown alongside O’Hare, helping shape it into one of the world’s leading aviation hubs,” said Julie Rath, American’s Senior Vice President of Global Airports, Contact Centres and Inflight Dining Operations.
“We’re proud to stand with our partners today at the City of Chicago and Chicago Department of Aviation to honour the incredible history we share and celebrate the investments we’ve made together to elevate Chicago as a world-class destination.”
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson praised the airline’s deep connection with the city. “From O’Hare’s very first passenger flight, American Airlines has been woven into the fabric of our city’s aviation legacy,” he said. “As American continues to grow and invest in Chicago, we look forward to building on this partnership and shaping the next 70 years of progress together.”
From mail runs to a Midwest powerhouse
American’s history in Chicago predates O’Hare’s opening. The airline’s first flight — a US mail run between St. Louis and Chicago in 1926 — marked the birth of American Airlines itself. Nearly a century later, O’Hare remains central to its network and identity.
The airline began scheduled passenger service from O’Hare the day after its 1955 dedication ceremony, operating 16 daily flights. Today, that number has grown more than thirtyfold, with over 500 flights expected by summer 2026.
O’Hare is now American’s third-largest hub, connecting the Midwest to more than 160 destinations across 17 countries. The carrier employs around 9,500 people in Chicago. It has invested billions in local infrastructure — from the renovation of Terminal 3 to the construction of Hangar 2, one of the world’s largest maintenance facilities.
Seven decades of innovation at O’Hare
The anniversary also highlighted a series of aviation firsts. American was the first airline to arrive and depart from O’Hare’s opening day of scheduled service in 1955, and the first to operate jets there in 1959. It launched the world’s first scheduled Douglas DC-10 service from Chicago in 1971 and later pioneered new passenger amenities, including the Flagship® Lounge and the Hall of Flags, featured in the film Home Alone.
In recent years, American has continued to expand at ORD, adding 24 new destinations in 2025 alone — including Chicago’s only nonstop service to Naples, Italy — and becoming the only airline to offer premium options on every O’Hare flight.
As American approaches its 100th anniversary next year, the airline says its commitment to Chicago remains as strong as ever. “Fueled by our unwavering commitment to our Chicago team and customers,” Rath said, “we look forward to our future as the airline that sets the standard at ORD.”
Featured Image: American Airlines
