A day after American Airlines rolled out a new batch of Chicago routes, United Airlines responded in kind, underscoring just how competitive the battle for O’Hare has become.
Yesterday, I covered American’s announcement of 15 new domestic routes from Chicago, a clear signal that AA intends to defend and grow its presence at O’Hare. Now, United follows, adding two more domestic routes, increasing frequencies on another, and reinforcing its claim as Chicago’s largest airline.
Beginning June 1, 2026, United will resume service between Chicago O’Hare and Erie, Pennsylvania (ERI), a route it last operated in May 2023. One week later, on June 8, 2026, United will launch new service between O’Hare and Tri-Cities, Tennessee (TRI), a destination United has not previously served. Both routes will operate three times daily during the summer season, providing frequent connectivity into United’s broader network.
A great solo travel tip spotted this week on Live and Let's Fly.
