United vs. American: Escalating Battle for Chicago's Skies

United Airlines is launching its largest summer schedule at Chicago O'Hare, intensifying competition with American Airlines. The move comes as United plans to increase daily departures and secure gate access. O'Hare's centrality for major flights makes it a critical battlefield for both airlines.

United Airlines on Tuesday announced a record-breaking summer schedule at Chicago O'Hare International Airport. This move amplifies its competition with American Airlines for gate space and premium passengers in the third-largest U.S. city.

The Chicago-based airline plans an unprecedented 750 daily flights from O'Hare this summer, marking a substantial increase. This decision follows CEO Scott Kirby's pledge to add more flights to counterbalance American Airlines' push for additional gate access by 2026. O'Hare remains one of the few major U.S. airports where two large airlines operate extensive hub networks concurrently, emphasizing the strategic importance of gate access and peak flight times.

The expansion signifies United's strategy to intensify its presence in the Midwest and key coastal markets. American Airlines is also bolstering its O'Hare operations after a sluggish recovery post-pandemic. As both carriers vie for positioning, O'Hare sees record seat-capacity growth, driven by rising consumer demand and United's expanded capacity.