United Announces Its Biggest Summer Ever in Chicago, Reaching Record of 750 Daily Flights

Which airline flies to 222 destinations, including 47 international airports, from Chicago O’Hare? As of this summer, it will be United Airlines.

Along with a massive list of international and domestic destinations, the airline will add 5 new nonstop flights to Midwestern cities. On top of its growing route network at O’Hare, the carrier is also bragging about its top on-time performance ranking at the airport.

Put together, all of this leads to United Airlines’ busiest summer at O’Hare, operating 750 daily flights out of the airport — a full 200 more than the next largest carrier. This will be United’s largest summer schedule out of the Chicago airport.

Where can you go? And how does this benefit travelers? Let’s take a closer look.

United’s New Summer 2026 Chicago Flights

United Airlines plans to fly 750 daily flights during the 2026 summer schedule — its largest number ever out of Chicago O’Hare (ORD). As United and American Airlines continue their turf war in Chicago, United’s press release includes a few jabs at AA, such as United bragging that it will operate 200 more daily flights out of ORD than any other airline.

United’s 750 peak daily flights will be the largest summer schedule ever flown at O’Hare by an airline. This robust route network will include 47 international destinations — ranging from Europe to Asia and South America — and 175 domestic airports in the U.S. United will operate 170 more flights at ORD this summer than it did last year.

As early as April, United will add 5 new routes to Midwestern cities. These flights go on sale January 29, 2026:

These flights will operate with 50-seat aircraft, such as Embraer and Canadair Regional Jets.

To support these new flights and increased passenger numbers, United says it will hire roughly 2,200 more employees at O’Hare.

United also says its goal is to serve all FIFA World Cup host cities this year, so it will operate flights between ORD and Guadalajara, Mexico (GDL), from June 8 to June 27, 2026.

Boosting Service on Existing Flights

Last year, United announced 2026 flights to several new destinations. These include Santa Barbara, California (SBA); Monterey, California (MRY); Eugene, Oregon (EUG); Bristol/Tri-Cities, Tennessee (TRI); Erie, Pennsylvania (ERI); Rochester, Minnesota (RST); Wausau, Wisconsin (CWA); and Marquette, Michigan (MQT), among others.

This summer, United will also boost capacity to more than 80 destinations. Airports receiving extra service include Boston (BOS), Nashville (BNA), Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), and Dallas Fort Worth (DFW). Extra capacity will come via more flights on these routes or using larger aircraft to provide more seats.

Given that gate space is finite, United will boost service primarily by adding flights earlier in the morning, later at night, or during typical lull periods during the airport’s daily operations.

Final Thoughts

This summer will be a big one for both United Airlines and Chicago’s O’Hare Airport. United will fly the busiest summer schedule any airline has ever operated at ORD, reaching 750 peak daily flights.

That plan includes new routes starting as early as April, as well as more seats on existing routes — whether that comes from flying bigger planes or adding more flights on those routes.