Intercooling systems and methods for an aircraft engine are provided. An intercooling system includes: a first inlet configured to receive a first air flow of ambient air into the aircraft engine; a second inlet separate from the first inlet and configured to receive a second air flow of ambient air into the aircraft engine separately from the first air flow of ambient air; and a heat exchanger configured to facilitate heat transfer between at least a portion of the first air flow compressed by a compressor section of the aircraft engine and the second air flow.