Tri-Cities Airport celebrates inaugural American Airlines flight to Chicago

BLOUNTVILLE — Shortly after 8 a.m. Friday, the American Airlines inaugural flight to Chicago took off from the Tri-Cities Airport. Passengers and airport officials held an official ribbon cutting for the flight at the gate, while community leaders and members of the public celebrated the launch in the main lobby. The flight comes five months after the initial announcement event held at the airport back in December 2025. Gene Cossey, president and CEO of the Tri-Cities Airport Authority, welcomed everyone in attendance and thanked people about to board for their support of the new flight. "Thank you for coming in for this first flight out from Tri-Cities to Chicago," he said. "We're excited about it, we think it's going to be a wonderful thing for the whole community and for everybody here." He also shared appreciation for the community partners who have worked to bring the flight there for many years. The flight was made possible through a $900,000 Small Community Air Service Development Grant from the U.S. Department of Transportation. "It's been something our whole team and our whole community partners have worked on for a very long time, and we want to thank you all for all the support you're getting for Tri-Cities," he said. Cossey spoke to how the airport's demand is higher than the amount of flights currently available. With the route to Chicago O'Hare International Airport opening up, that opens up more connections and a new market. "Last night, I heard we had a full flight coming in, we've got a full flight going out, and that's an amazing thing," he said. "We're really appreciative of the community stepping up and saying this is the flight we're going to choose." According to Cossey, United Airlines is scheduled to start its service to Chicago at the airport in October. Service was delayed to Federal Aviation Administration capacity constraints, which is outside of the Tri-Cities Airport's control. When asked about other future added flights, Cossey said continued support for the airport can keep the momentum going. "I know I sound like a broken record, but what we really need is the communities to step up and use this flight first," he added. "Make sure you're using these flights, make sure you're using all of our flights, then we'll be able to go back to the airlines again, and say look how successful these new routes are." Taking off Rick Hermann, a passenger on the inaugural flight, said he is using this opportunity to fly back to his home in Des Moines, Iowa. His work is based out of Chicago. He said he will "absolutely" be making frequent use of the Chicago flight out of the Tri-Cities Airport and mentioned the added convenience for residents and beyond. "I think anything that you can do to expand [for] all the local residents, make it more convenient to travel, people are more likely to do that," Hermann said. "It also saves travel to other airports, whether it be Knoxville or whatever." Tri-Cities Airport Authority Fire/Rescue performed a ceremonious water cannon salute, meaning two of the airport's fire trucks sprayed crisscrossing arcs of water over the aircraft before the plane's departure.