On Friday, May 23, 2025, Philadelphia International Airport and American Airlines hosted a gate celebration for expanded routes to Edinburgh and Milan. The BABCPHL was honored to be a part of the festivities alongside our Corporate Member Philadelphia Convention & Visitors Bureau and our regional partner World Affairs Council. Kate Sullivan, Chief Commercial Officer, Philadelphia International Airport/Northeast Philadelphia Airport and Club Level Member Lakshman Amaranayaka, Vice President American Airlines, Philadelphia International Airport, delivered inspiring remarks about the expanded service, and a scrumptious spread of Scottish and Italian delicacies was served. Live bagpipe music was played, and a soloist sang Italian songs following remarks by the Italian Consul General.

BABCPHL Board Members, Rhett Workman, Svetlana Yazovskikh, and Neil Boyden Tanner along with friends and supporters Gregg Caren, Stefanie Yeung and Ben Rush-Goebel attended the route launch celebration, underscoring the city’s growing status as a global gateway. American Airlines offers 19 daily flights to 18 European destinations. Edinburgh is the only American Airlines flight to the Scottish capital, and a return to service last offered in 2019.

Special thanks to Rhett Workman, Managing Director – PHL Customer Care for American Airlines who gave us a VIP tour of the new American Airlines Flagship and Admirals Club lounges at Philadelphia International Airport. The space is a state-of-the-art oasis offering gourmet cuisine, signature drinks and a peaceful, comfortable, and private space from which to relax, work, dine, refresh and wait before boarding a flight.

Click here for photos.