United Airlines is betting big on Chicago for the 2026 summer travel season, unveiling a record schedule out of Chicago O’Hare International Airport that will see the carrier operate up to 750 daily flights.

The expanded timetable, announced on January 27, positions O’Hare as one of the most connected hubs in the world and underscores United’s strategy to capture a larger share of both domestic and international traffic while fueling tourism flows into and out of the Midwest.

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Record 750 Daily Flights and a Hub Among the World’s Largest

For summer 2026, United plans to run 750 daily departures from O’Hare, the largest schedule ever flown by a single airline at the airport. It represents an increase of almost 170 flights per day compared with the previous summer and gives United roughly 200 more daily departures than its closest competitor at the hub. Executives describe the move as a pivotal step in cementing Chicago as the airline’s flagship gateway for the central United States.

The new schedule elevates United’s Chicago operation into the ranks of the world’s largest airline hubs. Industry analysts note that only Atlanta and Dallas see more daily departures from a single carrier. By comparison, United’s O’Hare hub will outpace long-established giants such as Charlotte, signaling the airline’s intent to keep Chicago at the heart of its global network strategy even as it grows in Denver, Houston, San Francisco, and other markets.

United’s ramp-up comes at a time when airlines are racing to meet strong demand for both leisure and corporate travel, particularly during peak summer months. The carrier has framed the buildout as a long-planned expansion that aligns with solid financial performance at O’Hare in recent years, rather than a short-term reaction to competitors. Nevertheless, the sheer scale of the announcement underscores how central Chicago has become to the airline’s growth story.

222 Destinations, 47 International Cities and Deeper Global Reach

Beyond the sheer number of flights, the summer 2026 schedule is notable for its breadth. United has confirmed that, throughout 2026, it will operate nonstop from O’Hare to 222 destinations, more than any other airline serving the airport. That tally includes 175 destinations across the United States and 47 international cities stretching across Europe, Asia, and South America.

The expanded international footprint strengthens Chicago’s role as a connecting gateway between North America and long-haul markets. Travelers will see more options for transatlantic and transpacific connections, with O’Hare serving as a critical stopover for passengers traveling between secondary U.S. cities and major global capitals. The increased long-haul capacity is also expected to support Chicago’s efforts to attract more inbound tourism and convention traffic, as overseas visitors gain additional nonstop and one-stop options into the city.

United’s global network planners have emphasized that the Chicago buildout is designed to work in tandem with its other large hubs, especially Denver and Houston. Rather than concentrating all international flying in one location, the airline is using Chicago as one point in a triad of major gateways, creating more “interplay” between hubs and more routing choices for travelers across the system. That approach, the carrier argues, makes the network more resilient and more attractive to both corporate clients and leisure travelers.

New Midwest Routes Strengthen Regional Connectivity

Central to the 2026 plan is a cluster of new regional routes that deepen O’Hare’s reach into the Midwest. Beginning in late April and early May, United will launch new nonstop service from Chicago to five midwestern communities: Champaign/Urbana and Bloomington/Normal in Illinois, Kalamazoo and Lansing in Michigan, and La Crosse in Wisconsin. Each of these routes will operate four times daily, giving smaller cities frequent access to United’s global network through Chicago.

The new flights, to be operated with 50-seat regional jets, are scheduled to debut between April 30 and May 7, 2026, with ticket sales opening on January 29. Local officials in these markets have already hailed the move as a major boost for business travel, university communities, and tourism. Frequent short-haul connections into a large hub can be a lifeline for regional economies, improving access for investors, conference delegates, and outbound leisure travelers while making it easier for visitors and students to reach smaller centers.

These additions build on United’s broader strategy of reinforcing Chicago’s role as the premier hub for the Upper Midwest. In recent schedule updates, the carrier has added or resumed flights from O’Hare to an array of regional destinations, from college towns to former industrial centers. By pushing deeper into the region, United not only feeds more passengers into its long-haul network but also positions itself as the carrier of choice for midwestern travelers who previously relied on long drives or limited air service to reach major gateways.

Competition with American Airlines and the Battle for Chicago’s Skies

The record O’Hare schedule also carries clear competitive overtones. Chicago is one of the few major U.S. airports where two full-scale hub operations coexist side by side, with United and American Airlines both vying for gates, prime departure times, and high-yield passengers. United’s aggressive expansion follows public comments from its chief executive, who pledged earlier this month to add “as many flights as are required” to prevent a rival from gaining ground at its home hub in 2026.

By lifting its daily departures to 750, United is not only increasing its capacity but also reinforcing its hold on the most valuable slots at O’Hare. Gate access and peak-time takeoff and landing windows typically favor airlines that can demonstrate consistent, high-volume operations. In that sense, the expanded schedule is as much a strategic move to secure United’s long-term position in Chicago as it is a response to demand for travel.

American, which also maintains a large connecting operation at O’Hare, has been ramping up its own flying in recent years, triggering an arms race that analysts say has driven record passenger volumes through the airport. While both carriers insist there is room for two super hubs in Chicago, the latest announcement from United shifts the balance of power further in its favor for the 2026 summer season. Market watchers will be watching closely to see how American responds as it sets its own schedules for next year.

Operational Constraints and Creative Scheduling at a Crowded Hub

The buildout at O’Hare comes despite the fact that the airport is already operating near capacity during many parts of the day. United executives acknowledge that there is little room to add flights between mid-morning and late afternoon, windows when runway and gate congestion are most acute. Instead, much of the growth will be concentrated in the early morning and late evening hours, including a new late-night bank of departures around 10:25 p.m.

This scheduling strategy is designed to squeeze more utility out of existing airport infrastructure while still delivering meaningful connectivity for travelers. Early morning flights will feed into mid-day international departures, while late-night banks give passengers additional options for same-day connections and allow aircraft to be positioned more efficiently for the next morning’s operations. For business travelers, the expanded banks may also create more opportunities for same-day return trips between Chicago and nearby cities.

To generate aircraft capacity for Chicago, United is also reshuffling its broader network. Some short-haul flying from other hubs, particularly at constrained airports such as Newark, is being reduced or re-timed, with connecting passengers shifted to alternate hubs like Washington Dulles. The airline argues that redeploying aircraft to O’Hare makes sense financially, given the strong performance of its Chicago operation and the hub’s central role in its long-term growth plan.

Passenger Experience Upgrades and Major Hiring Plans at O’Hare

United’s expansion is not limited to aircraft movements. The airline is pairing its record summer schedule with investments in the customer experience at O’Hare, including premium lounges and onboard technology upgrades. Travelers will have access to multiple United Club locations as well as a redesigned United Polaris lounge for long-haul business-class passengers, reflecting the carrier’s push to capture more high-spend international traffic through Chicago.

Onboard, more of the aircraft serving O’Hare will feature seatback entertainment screens, larger overhead bins, Bluetooth connectivity, and high-speed Wi-Fi. United has also been rolling out free Wi-Fi access for members of its MileagePlus loyalty program on many flights, a perk that is particularly valuable for business travelers connecting through a busy hub who need to remain online across multiple segments.

Behind the scenes, the ramp-up is expected to translate into a significant hiring wave in the Chicago area. United has indicated it plans to add roughly 2,500 new employees at O’Hare by the end of 2026 to support its expanded schedule and maintain operational reliability. These roles range from pilots and flight attendants to ground staff, maintenance technicians, and customer service agents, providing a meaningful employment boost for the region and further entrenching the airline as one of Chicago’s largest private-sector employers.

Tourism, Business Travel and Chicago’s Reemerging Status as Busiest U.S. Airport

The timing of United’s move aligns with a broader resurgence at O’Hare. Recent federal data show the airport reclaiming its title as the busiest in the United States by total aircraft operations, surpassing Atlanta in 2025. That growth has been propelled in part by aggressive scheduling from both United and American, as well as rising demand from the Chicago region and connecting traffic across the country.

For Chicago’s tourism industry, the expanded summer schedule arrives as a welcome catalyst. More flights and more nonstop destinations mean easier access for visitors attending festivals, sporting events, and major conventions, as well as for international tourists using Chicago as a jumping-off point to explore the rest of the Midwest. Tourism officials have long argued that air connectivity is one of the city’s most important assets, and United’s investment provides them with a fresh selling point as they market Chicago to travelers and event planners around the world.

Business travel is also expected to benefit. Corporate clients in the region gain more flexibility in scheduling same-day trips to key destinations, while international corporations can count on stronger links between Chicago and their global offices. For smaller midwestern cities brought into United’s Chicago network with new routes, the effect is multiplied: improved air links can support inward investment, university partnerships, and regional tourism initiatives that rely on smooth connections to a major hub.

Looking Ahead: Strategic Stakes for United, O’Hare and the Wider Network

United’s record summer 2026 schedule out of Chicago O’Hare marks a defining moment for both the airline and the airport. For United, the expansion crystallizes a long-term strategy that leans heavily on Chicago as a central pillar of its global network, complemented by strong hubs in Denver, Houston, and on the West Coast. For O’Hare, it reinforces the airport’s status as a critical nexus for U.S. and international air travel at a time when new infrastructure investments and concourse expansions are already on the horizon.

Industry observers note that the buildout will test the limits of operations at a crowded airport and intensify the rivalry between United and American. It will also serve as a litmus test of how much demand the Chicago market can support during peak travel months, and whether the combination of regional growth, premium services, and expanded long-haul connectivity can deliver the revenue gains United is targeting.

For travelers, the more immediate takeaway is simple: beginning in late spring 2026, Chicago O’Hare will offer more choices than ever before. From quick hops to nearby university towns to long-haul journeys across the Atlantic or Pacific, United’s expanded schedule is poised to make the Midwest’s largest city an even more powerful crossroads for global tourism and business travel.