United Expects Biggest Summer Yet at Chicago O'Hare, Growing to Record 750 Flights Per Day

Rhea-AI Summary

United (NYSE:UAL) will operate a record 750 flights per day from Chicago O'Hare (ORD) this summer, the largest schedule by any airline at ORD and ~200 more daily flights than the next carrier. In 2026 United will offer nonstop service to 222 destinations (including 47 international and 175 U.S. cities). The summer plan adds five new Midwest nonstops starting April–May 2026 and more than 80 cities receive added frequencies.

Operational highlights include averaging 541 daily departures in 2025, planned hiring of ~2,500 staff at ORD in 2026, a summer target of >370 daily mainline departures (a 20% increase vs summer 2025), expanded customer amenities and technology rollouts such as Starlink-equipped aircraft and Connection Saver improvements.

Positive

• 750 flights/day planned from ORD this summer, largest ever at O'Hare
• Nonstop service to 222 destinations, including 47 international cities
• 370+ daily mainline departures in summer schedule; +20% vs summer 2025
• Plan to hire ~2,500 additional employees at ORD in 2026
• 541 average daily departures at ORD in 2025 (31% more than next competitor)
• Starlink on 300+ aircraft; 33% of ORD departures in January on Starlink-equipped planes

Negative

• None.

News Market Reaction

-3.45%

1 alert

-3.45% News Effect

On the day this news was published, UAL declined 3.45%, reflecting a moderate negative market reaction.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

Daily flights from ORD: 750 flights per day ORD nonstop destinations: 222 destinations International destinations: 47 international cities +5 more

8 metrics

Daily flights from ORD 750 flights per day Planned summer 2026 schedule from Chicago O’Hare

ORD nonstop destinations 222 destinations Total nonstop cities served from ORD in 2026

International destinations 47 international cities Nonstop international routes from ORD

U.S. destinations 175 U.S. cities Domestic nonstop routes from ORD

New Midwest routes 5 new nonstops Additional ORD service to midwestern destinations starting April–May 2026

Hiring at ORD 2,500 people Planned additional hires at ORD before end of 2026

2025 average departures 541 daily departures Average daily departures from ORD in 2025

Summer mainline departures 370 daily mainline departures Planned mainline-only daily departures in summer schedule, up 20% vs 2025

Market Reality Check

Price: $109.48 Vol: Volume 4,428,953 is rough...

normal vol

$109.48 Last Close

Volume Volume 4,428,953 is roughly in line with the 20-day average of 4,523,586 (relative volume 0.98). normal

Technical Price $107.76 is trading above the 200-day MA of $93.14, reflecting a pre-existing upward trend.

Peers on Argus

Pre-news momentum data show only one peer in the scanner: JBLU down about 4.13% ...

1 Down

Pre-news momentum data show only one peer in the scanner: JBLU down about 4.13% with no associated news, while UAL was roughly flat, pointing to a stock-specific backdrop rather than a sector-wide move.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jan 20 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Jan 20	Earnings results	Positive	-4.3%	Record 2025 EPS and revenue with strong cash flow and liquidity metrics.
Jan 14	Product update	Positive	-3.2%	Launch of preorder fresh meals in Economy on longer flights across the network.
Jan 05	Earnings scheduling	Neutral	+1.7%	Announcement of webcast timing for Q4 and full-year 2025 financial results.
Dec 16	App enhancements	Positive	+4.4%	New mobile app features including virtual gate, club recommendation and bag tracking.
Dec 02	Strategic partnership	Positive	+3.2%	Long-term Travelport agreement to accelerate NDC-enabled airline retailing.

Pattern Detected

Recent history shows mixed reactions: UAL sometimes sold off on strong fundamental news (e.g., record EPS and revenue) while app/technology enhancements and commercial partnerships often coincided with positive moves.

Recent Company History

Over the past two months, UAL reported record full-year 2025 results with EPS of $10.20 and revenue of $59.1B, yet the stock fell after earnings. Product and technology updates, such as the award-winning mobile app enhancements in December 2025, were followed by gains. Commercial initiatives, including the Travelport retailing partnership, also aligned with positive price moves. Today’s Chicago O’Hare expansion continues this theme of network and customer-experience investment.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights UAL’s intent to deepen its Chicago O’Hare hub with 750 daily flights, s...

Analysis

This announcement highlights UAL’s intent to deepen its Chicago O’Hare hub with 750 daily flights, service to 222 destinations and hiring of roughly 2,500 additional employees. It builds on prior technology and customer-experience initiatives, such as app and connectivity upgrades. Investors may watch how added mainline flying, regional connectivity and operational performance metrics evolve relative to the record 2025 traffic base.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

Airline will fly nonstop from ORD to 222 destinations, including 47 international and 175 U.S. cities – five new nonstops coming to midwestern destinations, reinforcing ORD's position as the premier Midwest hub

United led major carriers in on-time ORD arrivals in 2025; travelers on the next largest competitor at ORD were nearly twice as likely to have their flight cancelled as United customers

Customer experience at ORD includes access to five United Club locations, in addition to a redesigned United Polaris Lounge, as well as a growing number of aircraft with seatback screens, larger overhead bins, Bluetooth connectivity and free Starlink Wi-Fi for MileagePlus members

To support the airline's growth and continued focus on operational excellence, United plans to hire approximately 2,500 more people at ORD before the end of the year

CHICAGO, Jan. 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- United today announced it will reach 750 flights per day this summer from Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD), 200 more than its next largest competitor and the largest schedule ever flown by any airline operating here.

Throughout 2026, Chicago's hometown airline will offer nonstop service to 222 destinations – more than any other airline at ORD, and 38 more than its next largest competitor – including 47 international cities across Europe, Asia and South America as well as 175 U.S. destinations. Starting as early as April, and on sale January 29, the airline is strengthening connectivity across the Midwest with five new routes from ORD to cities including:  

• Champaign/Urbana, Ill. (CMI) operated 4 times daily beginning April 30, 2026
• Kalamazoo, Mich. (AZO) operated 4 times daily beginning April 30, 2026
• Lansing, Mich. (LAN) operated 4 times daily beginning May 7, 2026
• La Crosse, Wis. (LSE) operated 4 times daily beginning May 7, 2026
• Bloomington/Normal, Ill. (BMI) operated 4 times daily beginning May 7, 2026

In late 2025, the airline also announced it would add flights to cities such as Santa Barbara, Calif. (SBA); Monterey, Calif. (MRY); Eugene, Ore. (EUG); Bristol/Tri-Cities, Tenn. (TRI), Erie, Penn. (ERI); Rochester, Minn. (RST); Wausau, Wis. (CWA); Marquette, Mich. (MQT), and more as part of its summer 2026 schedule.

In addition to enhancing connections between ORD and small and midsized communities, more than 80 cities will receive additional flights to give customers even more options from Chicago including popular travel destinations like Boston (BOS), Nashville (BNA), Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO) and Dallas (DFW). United's Chicago hub is expected to become the third largest hub operated by any airline in the U.S., and the airline's summer schedule reinforces ORD's role as the premier hub of the Midwest and a top global gateway following record passenger levels in 2025. 

"We have spent the past decade building and executing a strategy that is focused on winning brand loyal customers by giving them more value when they fly United – and nowhere is that more apparent than in Chicago," said United's Vice President of ORD, Omar Idris. "This growth at O'Hare highlights our commitment to invest in our network, customers and hiring in the city we call home."

United will also operate from ORD to Guadalajara, Mexico (GDL) daily from June 8 to June 27, providing service for large international soccer games. With this add, United will have non-stop service from Chicago to all 16 cities hosting large international soccer games in 2026.

"Illinois sits at the crossroads of global travel and commerce, with O'Hare Airport opening doors and opportunities for people across the country and around the world," said Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. "The record-breaking expanded flight offerings from United Airlines planned for this coming summer at O'Hare demonstrates the company's sustained commitment to growth in Illinois – boosting our economy, supporting jobs, and strengthening Chicago's tourism and hospitality industries."

Operational Excellence at ORD

United continues to focus on running a great operation at ORD – the airline led major carriers in on-time arrival in 2025 and last year, travelers on the next largest competitor at ORD were nearly twice as likely to have their flight cancelled as United customers. United averaged 541 daily departures from ORD in 2025, 31% more than the next largest competitor and flew more seats from Chicago than at any point in the last two decades. 

To support the airline's continued focus on operational excellence, United plans to hire another approximately 2,500 people at ORD before the end of the year.

ORD customers can expect a best-in-class experience with access to five United Club^SM locations, in addition to a redesigned United Polaris® lounge, as well as a growing number of aircraft with seatback screens, larger overhead bins, Bluetooth connectivity and free Starlink Wi-Fi for MileagePlus® members. The airline plans to fly more than 370 daily mainline departures during its summer schedule – a 20% increase from summer 2025.

Upleveling the Customer Experience

United invests heavily in creating a seamless, modern travel experience for customers, including a suite of technology enhancements that make every step of the journey easier, such as:

• Connection Saver: In 2025, Connection Saver saved approximately one million potential missed connections, a 42% increase over 2024, including helping 240,000 passengers make their flight in Chicago. New app features offer customized turn-by-turn directions to connecting gates with estimated walk times, real-time flight status updates, tips for longer layovers, and notifications if United is holding a plane during a tight connection.
• Starlink: Starlink brings seamless, gate-to-gate connectivity. In less than a year, United has equipped more than 300 aircraft with Starlink, the world's fastest, most reliable Wi-Fi in the sky and is rolling out the service to its mainline feet. In January, 33% of departures at ORD were on a Starlink-equipped plane.
• Bag drop shortcut: United travelers can skip the check-in line and drop off bags in under a minute at the designated bag drop shortcut location at the curb by checking bags in the app before arriving at the airport. And now, United is the only airline to offer bag drop shortcut with TSA PreCheck® Touchless ID, allowing ORD travelers who opt-in to drop off their bags in seconds by leveraging facial scanning technology. In 2025 at ORD, 1.25 million passengers dropped bags at Bag Drop Shortcut.
• Facial Scanning Security: United offers customers at ORD the ability to use TSA PreCheck® Touchless ID to seamlessly drop off bags or make it through security in seconds. Since launching TSA PreCheck Touchless ID at ORD in 2024, more than 2.8 million customers have opted in to use the technology.
• United mobile app: Delivers a wealth of local, valuable traveler information including Chicago-specific flight and bag tracking updates, intuitive ORD navigation with turn-by-turn directions from mode of transportation to the airport through to the gate, real-time United Club capacity levels and guidance on the closest club to departure gate, rideshare options, live weather data and much more.

Workforce and Community Investment

Over the past 10 years, the airline has expanded its Chicago-based workforce to more than 18,000 employees. United's commitment to Chicago extends well beyond the airport. The airline partners with six of the city's eight major professional sports teams, supports nearly 30 local nonprofits and has executives serving on 10 Chicago area non-profit boards. These relationships reflect United's belief that being a great airline also means being a great neighbor — investing in the people, organizations and communities that make Chicago thrive.

About United

At United, Good Leads The Way. With U.S. hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., United operates the most comprehensive global route network among North American carriers and is now the largest airline in the world as measured by available seat miles. For more about how to join the United team, please visit www.united.com/careers and more information about the company is at www.united.com. United Airlines Holdings, Inc., the parent company of United Airlines, Inc., is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol "UAL".

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SOURCE United Airlines

FAQ

What does United's announcement mean for UAL flights at Chicago O'Hare in summer 2026?

United will run a record 750 flights per day from ORD and offer nonstop service to 222 destinations during summer 2026.

When do the five new United (UAL) Midwest routes from ORD start in 2026?

New Midwest routes begin as early as April 30, 2026 (Champaign/Urbana and Kalamazoo) and May 7, 2026 for other listed cities.

How many people will United (UAL) hire at ORD to support the summer 2026 schedule?

United plans to hire approximately 2,500 additional employees at ORD before the end of 2026.

How does United's 2025 operational performance at ORD compare to competitors?

United averaged 541 daily departures in 2025—about 31% more than the next largest competitor—and led major carriers in on-time arrivals.

What customer technology and experience upgrades will UAL offer at ORD for summer 2026?

Enhancements include more Starlink-equipped aircraft, seatback screens, larger bins, Bluetooth connectivity, redesigned Polaris lounge, five United Clubs, and app features like Connection Saver.