As American Airlines celebrates its centennial year and 100 years since its first mail flight in 1926, American Airlines Cargo is taking the opportunity to look back on more than eight decades of innovation, operational development and customer service across the global cargo market.
The formal beginning of American’s cargo story dates back to 15 October 1944, when a DC-3 carrying more than 6,000 pounds of freight completed what is widely recognised as the world’s first scheduled air cargo flight, linking New York City and Burbank, California.
But the roots of that cargo legacy go even further back, to the early airmail services operated by the predecessors of American Airways, including routes flown by Charles Lindbergh between Chicago and St. Louis. Those early operations helped lay the foundation for a long tradition of aviation and cargo innovation.
Over the years, American introduced a series of industry firsts that helped shape modern airfreight. In the 1940s, it became the first airline to use dedicated cargo terminals, allowing raised-platform loading and more efficient freight handling at airports. It also launched the first coast-to-coast all-cargo flight, introduced the first airfreight loading conveyors and developed the first corrugated shipping container specifically designed for apparel.
In 1954, the company unveiled what is described as the industry’s first Unit Load Device, the Paul Bunyan Box. By the 1960s, it had also introduced the Astroloader, the first powered cargo loader for the Boeing 707, and the Astroroller, the first in-plane roller system aimed at improving loading speed and safety.
American’s pioneering mindset extended beyond freight alone. In the 1950s, the airline designed the first standardised animal container, helping establish practices that later became the benchmark for safe animal transportation by air. The company says that commitment to animal care remains a key part of its cargo identity today.
The airline’s history is also marked by unusual and memorable shipments. In the 1970s, one of its 747 freighters transported a San Francisco cable car to New York for a street fair. In the 2000s, American supported museums by moving priceless artefacts, including items from Tutankhamun’s tomb flown to Dallas for a major exhibition. The carrier also expanded its support for cold chain pharmaceuticals, transporting temperature-sensitive vaccines and medical treatments requiring precise handling and rapid delivery.
American’s cargo division has also played an important humanitarian role. Following Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico in 2017, the airline was among the first to land with critical relief supplies, including food, water and generators. That humanitarian legacy continues today through its partnership with Airlink, which has helped support shipments to Ukraine, Haiti, Maui, Brazil, Jamaica and other regions in need.
The airline says its cargo business remains firmly focused on the future. In 2025, American Airlines Cargo delivered one of its strongest operational performances, transporting more than 475 million kilograms of freight and mail across its network.
At London Heathrow, the company moved into a new 120,000 sq ft cargo facility, nearly doubling its previous capacity. Reflecting that operational performance, American Airlines Cargo was also recognised among the most reliable airlines of 2025 by Air Cargo News.
Network strength remains central to the company’s strategy. As of 2026, American operates one of the youngest fleets in the United States, with Boeing 787 aircraft playing an important role in improving efficiency, long-haul capability and cargo capacity. During peak summer periods, the airline operates 186 daily international widebody flights and more than 4,000 monthly widebody flights between the US and Europe.
The cargo division is also investing in digital modernisation. Enhancements to aacargo.com are designed to make booking more transparent and efficient, while the company is also applying artificial intelligence in targeted areas across the cargo journey to improve decision-making and customer outcomes.
Temperature-controlled logistics remain another major priority. American’s ExpediteTC℠ product, launched in 2009, is supported by cooler facilities in Philadelphia, Miami, London, San Juan, Dallas Fort Worth, Chicago and New York, among others. Across the network, staff are trained to manage life sciences cargo, supported by 30 CEIV- or GDP-certified stations in key shipping corridors.
Sustainability is also firmly embedded in the business. Through its partnership with BioNatur, American Airlines Cargo has replaced hundreds of thousands of pounds of conventional plastic wrap with biodegradable alternatives. 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 since the partnership began to more than 38 million bottles.
Greg Schwendinger, president of American Airlines Cargo, said the milestone is not only about celebrating the past, but also about recognising the people whose work continues to shape the future of the business. He said the cargo team’s passion, skill and dedication to customers are what place the company in such a strong position for the years ahead.
From the first scheduled cargo flight in 1944 to today’s transport of life-saving medicines, valuable artefacts, animals and large-scale freight flows, American Airlines Cargo continues to present itself as a company built on innovation, service and long-term commitment to global logistics.
