A Historic Day for Chicago Aviation: American Airlines Celebrates 70 Years of Firsts at O’Hare International Airport
Seventy years ago today, Chicago marked a defining moment in aviation history. On October 29, 1955, Trans World Airlines (TWA) an iconic carrier that would later become part of American Airlines made history by operating the first-ever passenger flight to depart from the newly built O’Hare International Airport (ORD).
That day, a massive crowd of more than 23,000 spectators gathered on the tarmac and in viewing areas to witness a milestone that would shape Chicago’s identity as a global aviation hub. The ceremonial TWA Flight 94, bound for Paris, symbolized not just a new chapter for air travel in the city, but also the birth of what would become one of the busiest and most important airports in the world.
Recreating History 70 Years Later
Fast forward to today, and American Airlines which absorbed TWA in 2001 once again brought that moment of history to life. To celebrate the 70th anniversary of the first passenger flight at O’Hare, American partnered with the City of Chicago and the Chicago Department of Aviation to host a special reenactment of the 1955 event.
Passengers traveling on American Flight 2743, operated with a Boeing 737-800 in TWA’s heritage livery, experienced a surprise gate-side celebration. The event featured vintage-themed décor, historic uniforms, and a ceremonial water cannon salute, evoking the golden age of aviation. Another Boeing 737-800, this one painted in American’s classic Astrojet heritage livery, also made a celebratory appearance, further transporting O’Hare back to the 1950s for a day of nostalgia and pride.
Julie Rath, American’s Senior Vice President of Global Airports, Contact Centers, and Inflight Dining Operations, reflected on the airline’s deep connection to Chicago during the celebration.
“For 70 years, American has grown alongside O’Hare, helping shape it into one of the world’s leading aviation hubs,” Rath said. “We’re proud to stand with our partners at the City of Chicago and the Chicago Department of Aviation to honor the incredible history we share. Together, we’ve invested in elevating Chicago as a world-class destination. Fueled by our unwavering commitment to our Chicago team, our customers, and the vibrant communities that make this city thrive, we look forward to our future as the airline that sets the standard at ORD.”
The Beginning of O’Hare’s Passenger Service
Although TWA’s Paris-bound flight opened O’Hare for ceremonial service on October 29, 1955, scheduled commercial flights began the very next day. American Airlines proudly led that charge. On October 30, American Flight 715 from Detroit became the first scheduled passenger arrival, followed shortly after by Flight 566 the first scheduled departure to Cincinnati.
At that time, O’Hare was a brand-new facility built to replace the overcrowded Midway Airport. American initially operated just 16 daily departures from ORD, but the airline’s presence quickly expanded as the airport grew into a premier aviation hub. From that modest start, American now looks ahead to operating more than 500 daily flights from O’Hare by summer 2026 an extraordinary 3,000% increase over its 1955 schedule.
Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson praised American’s enduring partnership with the city and its role in shaping Chicago’s aviation identity.
“From O’Hare’s very first passenger flight, American Airlines has been woven into the fabric of our city’s aviation legacy,” Johnson 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.”
Deep Roots in Chicago Aviation
This milestone celebration comes at a meaningful moment in American Airlines’ history. The company is preparing to commemorate its 100th anniversary in 2026 a century after its very first flight carried U.S. mail from St. Louis to Chicago in 1926. That inaugural mail route not only launched the airline’s existence but also established Chicago as a cornerstone of its early network.
Since its earliest days, American’s connection to Chicago has been both economic and cultural. Over the past seven decades, the airline has invested billions of dollars into O’Hare and the surrounding region, fueling job creation, tourism, and business growth. Those investments continue today, with American adding more than 20 new destinations to its ORD network in 2025 reaffirming its commitment to making Chicago one of its strongest and most dynamic hubs.
Behind the scenes, American’s 9,500 O’Hare-based team members play a vital role in keeping the airline running smoothly every day. From pilots and flight attendants to mechanics, customer service agents, and ground crews, these employees embody the airline’s longstanding partnership with the city.
O’Hare today stands as American’s third-largest hub in terms of daily departures, connecting travelers to more than 160 destinations across 17 countries. For millions of passengers each year, it serves as the beating heart of American’s Midwest operations and a vital link between the United States and the rest of the world.
Seven Decades of Milestones at O’Hare
The story of American Airlines at O’Hare is one of innovation, firsts, and forward-looking investments. Each decade has brought new achievements that reflect both the airline’s ambition and the airport’s evolution as a global aviation leader.
- 1955: TWA, later acquired by American, operates the first passenger flight from O’Hare — a ceremonial journey to Paris.
- 1955: American becomes the first airline to both arrive and depart from O’Hare on its first day of scheduled service.
- 1959: American introduces the first jet service at ORD with a Boeing 707 flight from Chicago to San Francisco.
- 1971: American launches the world’s first scheduled Douglas DC-10 service, connecting Chicago and Los Angeles.
- 1982: American establishes an official hub at O’Hare — its second in the U.S. network.
- 1986: The airline installs the iconic “Hall of Flags” in Terminal 3’s H/K Concourse, a beloved symbol of international unity.
- 1990: Terminal 3 undergoes a major renovation, later immortalized in the film Home Alone with its famous airport chase scene.
- 2000: American Eagle transitions to an all-jet fleet at ORD, improving efficiency and comfort for regional travelers.
- 2015: The first Boeing 787 Dreamliner is deployed at O’Hare, marking a new era of fuel-efficient, long-haul travel.
- 2017: American opens its luxurious ORD Flagship® Lounge, redefining the premium travel experience.
- 2018: The airline unveils the “L-Stinger” — five new gates in Terminal 3, the first new gates at ORD in 25 years.
- 2019: American opens Hangar 2, the largest aircraft maintenance facility of its kind in the world.
- 2025: American becomes the only airline to offer premium cabin options on every flight from O’Hare.
- 2025: Twenty-four new destinations are added to American’s ORD network, including Chicago’s only nonstop service to Naples, Italy.
Each of these milestones reflects how American and Chicago have evolved together — expanding capacity, enhancing passenger experiences, and embracing new technology to stay at the forefront of global aviation.
As American Airlines celebrates this remarkable anniversary, the spirit of innovation that launched TWA Flight 94 in 1955 remains stronger than ever. The airline continues to invest in sustainability initiatives, digital advancements, and infrastructure improvements that will define the next generation of travel at O’Hare.
From introducing modern aircraft like the Boeing 787 and Airbus A321XLR to enhancing gate areas and lounges, American’s focus is clear: to make ORD not only a hub of connectivity but also a place where travelers experience the best of modern aviation.
Today’s celebration is more than a nod to history — it’s a reaffirmation of American Airlines’ promise to Chicago. The airline’s journey from a 16-flight operation in 1955 to a 500-flight powerhouse in 2026 reflects decades of shared ambition and partnership with the city it proudly calls home.
As the sun set over O’Hare’s runways — just as it did 70 years ago — American Airlines once again stood at the intersection of past and future. The legacy that began with a single flight to Paris continues to soar, fueled by the same pioneering spirit that made Chicago one of the great aviation capitals of the world.