American Airlines touts growth at Chicago’s O’Hare

American Airlines is reaffirming its commitment to Chicago.

During an investor conference on Thursday, CFO Devon May highlighted the significance of Chicago, stating that O’Hare International Airport (ORD) remains the airline’s third-largest hub. He noted that prior to the pandemic in 2020, American operated approximately 500 daily flights from O’Hare.

“This year, we’re rebuilding our presence in Chicago,” May remarked. “We have a substantial customer base there, and we are optimistic about our growth potential.”

Recently, American announced seven new or returning routes from O’Hare, including destinations like Curacao International Airport (CUR), Roanoke-Blacksburg Regional Airport (ROA) in Virginia, and St. Maarten’s Princess Juliana International Airport (SXM). Additionally, the airline has introduced long-haul routes such as Naples International Airport (NAP) in Italy this summer.

According to aviation analytics firm Cirium, American is set to operate an average of 468 daily departures from O’Hare during June, July, and August.

A Historic Hub

American Airlines has maintained a hub at O’Hare for decades. Since the early 1980s, it has engaged in fierce competition with United Airlines for dominance at the airport and within the city, even featuring prominently in the beloved holiday film “Home Alone.”

In recent months, American’s leadership has been particularly vocal about their Chicago operations, making it a focal point in the airline’s latest earnings call.

Prior to the pandemic, American was prioritizing the growth of three other hubs, largely leaving O’Hare out of those discussions.

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American’s hubs at Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) were prioritized for profitability, with executives believing growth in those cities would be more beneficial than expanding in Chicago, which was rarely mentioned pre-pandemic.

Challenges Ahead

Currently, American faces a challenge at O’Hare, where it risks losing up to six gates later this year due to an agreement with the Chicago Department of Aviation signed in 2018. This agreement allocates gates based on previous year’s departures.

As it stands, American’s gate count at O’Hare in 2026 could be influenced by its flight schedule in 2024. Last year, the airline averaged 349 daily departures, peaking at 388 during the summer months. In contrast, United’s average was higher, with 481 daily departures in 2024.

United, which stands to gain gates next year, has launched promotional campaigns branding itself as “Chicago’s #1 Airline” and offering status matches to frequent flyers from other carriers.

May noted that American’s recovery at O’Hare has been challenged by a pilot shortage that has affected the revival of its regional partners post-pandemic. “Our recovery came later than anticipated,” he admitted.

While May refrained from diving deep into the gate allocation process, he did express intentions for American to maximize its resources and grow at O’Hare moving forward. The airline is currently engaged in legal action to prevent the redistribution of O’Hare gates.