United Airlines is drawing a very public line in the sand at Chicago O’Hare, and American Airlines is already testing it.
On United’s Q4 2025 earnings call, CEO Scott Kirby made it crystal clear that United is done watching American rebuild at ORD without responding. In 2025, Kirby said American’s growth ultimately cost United gates, and he’s not willing to let that repeat in 2026.
Kirby put it bluntly:
A great solo travel tip spotted this week on Live and Let's Fly.




