Continuing its growth in Chicago, American Airlines is adding 100 new daily departures from O’Hare International Airport (ORD), bolstering its schedule with additional flights to more than 75 popular destinations just in time for spring break. The airline is also expanding its summer seasonal service from ORD to Paris and Dublin. This move is the latest in American’s broader expansion plan, which has enhanced the customer experience, improved operational reliability and strengthened its century-long roots in the Chicago community.
“We’re committed to rebuilding our Chicago hub to be stronger and more compelling for our customers, and our 2026 plans are both emblematic of that objective and an exciting way to end a year defined by bold growth and investment at ORD,” Steve Johnson, American’s vice chair and chief strategy officer, said in a statement. “Our continued focus on Chicago during the next year—a year that we celebrate the centennial of American and our 100th year of service at ORD—will make our network even more attractive and continue to enhance the travel experience, improve reliability and introduce more premium options for our customers. Strategic investments at O’Hare in 2025 set the stage for a record-breaking 2026, reflecting our unwavering commitment to our customers, team members and the Chicagoland communities we serve, as well as our long-standing legacy to Chicago and O’Hare—and to our shared future.”
Chicago’s Spring Break Boost
American’s largest-ever ORD spring operation gives Chicago travelers more options to reach top destinations across its global network while boosting tourism to the city and offering more customers a convenient one-stop connection through ORD.
The airline is adding 100 peak daily departures to its spring schedule with increased service in 75 markets, including Boston (BOS); Cincinnati, Ohio (CVG); Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW); Fort Myers, Florida (RSW); and Orlando, Florida (MCO). The airline is doubling its service from ORD to popular spring break destinations like Las Vegas (LAS); Panama City, Florida (ECP); and Sarasota, Florida (SRQ), as well as well as offering more than twice as much service from ORD to Savannah, Georgia (SAV), and San Francisco (SFO) than what was originally available for spring 2026.
This expansion brings peak ORD operations to more than 500 daily departures this spring, representing 30 percent more departures than last spring. Reaching 500 peak daily departures solidifies ORD’s spot as the third-largest hub in American’s global network and among the top 10 largest hub operations of all major U.S. carriers. It also extends its spot as the fastest-growing legacy airline hub this year.
These additional flights are now available for purchase through American’s mobile app or aa.com.
Further Strengthening American’s ORD Network
The airline announced the extension of summer seasonal service from ORD to Dublin to operate about a month longer and Paris to operate three months longer than previous seasons. The extended seasonal service is part of American’s globe-spanning international network connecting customers with the airline’s best-in-class group of global partners.
American kicked off a major expansion at ORD in summer 2025 with 20 percent more flights and 22 percent more seats compared to the 2024 summer schedule. Since then, the airline added nearly 30 new destinations to its ORD network, including Honolulu (HNL), Mexico City (MEX), Madrid (MAD) and Chicago’s only nonstop service to Naples, Italy (NAP). Additionally, the airline doubled service to warm weather destinations this winter in Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America—making American the leading carrier from ORD to the region—and increased frequencies to traditional business markets like Seattle (SEA), Houston (IAH), Fayetteville/Bentonville, Arkansas (XNA), and more to provide customers more flexibility.
The Power of Hubs
Airline hubs act as “connection factories,” driving economic growth and business development in their home cities while strengthening regional communities with crucial air service. They multiply travel opportunities for business and leisure by offering convenient one-stop connections, creating a ripple effect that fuels local economies, generates jobs and gives customers more choices.
With added service to destinations like Cedar Rapids, Iowa (CID); Bloomington, Illinois (BMI); Flint, Michigan (FNT); and more, American’s ORD hub opens doors for customers, helping them expand business reach and make long-haul travel a reality.
As the nation’s largest dual-hub airport, ORD has long thrived on strong competition among hub carriers, which keeps fares lower and doubles options for travelers. With three new peak daily flights to SFO and Cleveland (CLE) and two to Denver (DEN), customers now have even more ways to travel to, from and through Chicago, and, importantly, they have more choice.
Travel Experience Upgrades Draw Customer Loyalty
American’s expansion goes beyond adding flights through a comprehensive strategy to secure American’s position as the airline of choice at ORD. Chicago travelers are responding to American’s enhanced focus on customer experience that spans every facet of the travel journey. In the third quarter, enrolments in American’s industry-leading AAdvantage loyalty program grew 7 percent systemwide year over year, with Chicago leading the way at approximately 20 percent growth, more than double the system average.
- Customer-first commitment: This year, American renewed its focus on the customer experience with a holistic look at the travel journey. Enhancements include a redesigned mobile app, connection-saving technology and the new premium-configured Boeing 787-9 aircraft that is becoming the mainstay of American’s Chicago-London service.
- A more reliable operation: Strategic investments in operational performance—including the airline’s new boarding process, new devices and initiatives that improve baggage handling and technology that streamlines aircraft pushback—have contributed to a more reliable operation at ORD. American was the most on-time hub carrier at ORD this year.
- New gates fuel ongoing growth: American recently made a significant investment in its operational presence at ORD with the acquisition of two new gates, which made way for three new destinations, resulting in 29 destinations added to ORD in 2025.
- More premium options: After upgrading all flights to operate on dual-class regional jets, American is the only hub carrier to offer premium options on every flight from ORD.
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