American Airlines marks its centennial, highlighting over 80 years of cargo service and innovation since the first scheduled air cargo flight in 1944.
American Airlines is celebrating its centennial year, reflecting on more than 80 years of cargo innovation and service since the world's first scheduled air cargo flight in 1944, reports an American Airlines press release.
The airline's cargo history began with a DC-3 carrying over 6,000 pounds of freight between New York and Burbank. Earlier roots trace back to airmail routes flown by American Airways predecessors, including Charles Lindbergh.
American pioneered several industry firsts, including dedicated cargo terminals, coast-to-coast all-cargo flights, freight conveyors, corrugated apparel containers, and the Paul Bunyan Box, the first unit load device. Later innovations included the Astroloader and Astroroller systems for faster and safer cargo handling.
Beyond freight, American designed the first standardized animal container in the 1950s, setting the foundation for safe pet transport. Notable shipments have included a San Francisco cable car, Tutankhamun artifacts, and cold chain pharmaceuticals.
The airline has also played a humanitarian role, delivering supplies after Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico in 2017 and supporting relief efforts in Ukraine, Haiti, Brazil, and Maui through its partnership with Airlink.
Recent milestones include a new 120,000-square-foot cargo facility at London Heathrow and strong 2025 performance, moving more than 475 million kilograms of freight and mail. Cargo was recognized among the most reliable airlines of 2025 by Air Cargo News.
American operates one of the youngest US fleets, with Boeing 787 aircraft offering efficiency and capacity. The schedule includes 186 daily international widebody flights in peak summer and over 4,000 monthly widebody flights between the US and Europe.
'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,' said Greg Schwendinger, president of American Airlines Cargo. He added that the division remains committed to innovation and customer service as it enters its next century.
