Lower than every week in the past, United Airways CEO Scott Kirby vowed to “draw a line within the sand” in opposition to American Airways, its high competitor at Chicago’s O’Hare Worldwide Airport (ORD) and one which’s been including flights at a quick tempo since final summer time on the Midwest hub.
The very subsequent day, American added three extra routes from the Windy Metropolis.
And United is not standing by.
The Chicago-based provider on Tuesday introduced plans to fly its largest schedule ever from O’Hare in 2026, with 750 each day departures as soon as the height summer time season arrives.
It is the most recent in a sequence of “one-ups” by the 2 carriers, which have been going backwards and forwards for months — throwing shade and including flights.
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Included in United’s newest ORD growth are 5 new and returning routes to smaller Midwest cities: Lansing and Kalamazoo, Michigan; La Crosse, Wisconsin; and the Illinois metro areas of Champaign-Urbana and Bloomington-Regular.
Plus, United stated it might add extra each day flights to 80 cities, nationally, that it already flies to from O’Hare.
“Locations like Los Angeles, but in addition Lexington, Kentucky. Locations like Dallas, Texas. But additionally locations like Dayton Ohio,” United’s high community planner Patrick Quayle stated on a name discussing the airline’s plans.
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O’Hare takes middle stage in airline turf struggle
For months, O’Hare has been dwelling to arguably the airline trade’s most hotly-contested turf struggle.
United has clearly been the airport’s high provider, particularly after the pandemic when American — which additionally has an O’Hare hub — was gradual to ramp up its flight schedule (American as an alternative opted to focus its consideration on Solar Belt hubs like Dallas and Charlotte).
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However beginning in mid-2025, American started shortly bolstering its capability at ORD.
That is persevering with into 2026: Throughout the first half of this yr, the Fort Price-based provider is about to develop its whole seats out of the airport by practically 23% versus a yr in the past, in keeping with information from aviation analytics agency Cirium.
American additionally not too long ago gained entry to a number of Chicago gates at United’s expense.
No extra, stated Kirby, of United:
“We’ll add as many flights as are required to guarantee that we hold our gate rely the identical in Chicago,” he vowed final week on the corporate’s earnings name.
United’s 5-route Chicago growth
United did not wait lengthy.
Here is the rundown of the 5 routes the provider added to its O’Hare lineup — all regional service aboard United Specific jets:
| Route | Launch date and frequency | Notes |
|---|---|---|
ORD to Champaign-Urbana Airport (CMI) in Illinois | April 30, 4 each day roundtrips | Beforehand flown in 2018 |
ORD to Kalamazoo/Battle Creek Worldwide Airport (AZO) in Michigan | April 30, 4 each day roundtrips | Beforehand flown in 2021-22 |
ORD to Lansing Airport (LAN) in Michigan | Might 7, 4 each day roundtrips | Beforehand flown in 2021-22 |
ORD to La Crosse Regional Airport (LSE) in Wisconsin | Might 7, 4 each day roundtrips | |
ORD to Central Illinois Regional Airport at Bloomington-Regular (CMI) | Might 7, 4 each day roundtrips |
Maybe not coincidentally, all of these are routes presently flown by American out of Chicago.
United had already been on monitor to develop its strong Chicago schedule in 2026; previous to Tuesday’s announcement, the provider’s seats from O’Hare within the first half of this yr have been set to rise 12% over final yr, per Cirium.
Kirby final week famous the airline doesn’t plan to hunt extra gates on the airport — however does intend to dam its high Chicago competitor from successful any extra at its expense.
Tuesday’s growth on the airport is clearly a part of that push.
Massive-picture
United has vociferously claimed it now holds a large lead amongst Chicagoland customers in terms of airline desire.
“Persons are selecting to fly United,” Quayle stated, forward of Tuesday’s announcement. “And selecting to fly United’s premium merchandise at a a lot greater charge than that of American.”
Final spring, Airports Council Worldwide ranked ORD because the fourth-busiest U.S. hub, based mostly on 2024 passenger site visitors.
However O’Hare had extra scheduled departures final yr than some other U.S. airport final yr, in keeping with Cirium information. That is thanks largely to United and American’s race so as to add flights on the hub.
Usually talking, extra competitors is sweet for patrons, because it means extra flight choices and infrequently results in decrease fares, on common. Stiffer competitors is mostly much less welcome, after all, inside airline C-suites.
Not misplaced on this Chicago showdown, of types: Southwest Airways additionally has a significant base within the area, at close by Halfway Airport (MDW).
Wanting forward
Count on American to have lots to say about its personal Chicago technique on Tuesday morning, when the airline holds its newest earnings name.
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