United Execs Trash Talk American's Chicago Hub

United CFO calls American's Chicago hub 'temporary' as airlines battle for market share

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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United Airlines executives are continuing to aggressively criticize American Airlines' presence in Chicago, with United CFO Michael Leskinen calling American's hub at O'Hare Airport 'temporary' and claiming American will 'fly around some empty airplanes' as it tries to regain market share in the city. The comments are the latest in an ongoing war of words between the two airlines as they battle for dominance at a key hub.

Why it matters

The fight between United and American in Chicago is emblematic of the broader competitive dynamics in the U.S. airline industry, as the major carriers jostle for market share and profitability at major hubs. United's aggressive rhetoric and predictions of massive losses for American in Chicago raise questions about whether the competition is becoming too personal and whether United is overconfident in its position.

The details

United has been growing its presence in Chicago considerably in recent years, putting American into a distant second place position at O'Hare. American is now trying to reclaim market share, adding more flights, which in turn is causing United to add flights as well. United CEO Scott Kirby has said the airline will not allow American to grow its market share percentage at the airport any further, and United claims its Chicago operations are profitable while American will likely lose $1 billion there in 2026.

  • United executives made the latest comments about American's Chicago hub at the Barclays 43rd Annual Industrial Select Conference this week.

The players

United Airlines

A major U.S. airline with a hub at Chicago O'Hare Airport.

American Airlines

A major U.S. airline that also has a hub at Chicago O'Hare Airport.

Michael Leskinen

The Chief Financial Officer of United Airlines.

Scott Kirby

The Chief Executive Officer of United Airlines.

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What they’re saying

“Temporarily, they have a hub.”

— Michael Leskinen, Chief Financial Officer, United Airlines (Barclays 43rd Annual Industrial Select Conference)

“It's our hometown. I mean this is where we're headquartered. This is where a lot of the brand loyal customers were winning corporate customers, my neighborhood, everybody is switching from American to United and they're doing it because we have a differentiated product, we have differentiated service.”

— Michael Leskinen, Chief Financial Officer, United Airlines (Barclays 43rd Annual Industrial Select Conference)

What’s next

United and American are expected to continue their battle for market share at Chicago O'Hare Airport throughout 2026, with the outcome potentially having major implications for the financial performance of both airlines.

The takeaway

United's aggressive rhetoric and confidence in its Chicago position raise questions about whether the competition between the two airlines has become too personal, and whether United is overestimating its ability to maintain its dominance in the city in the face of American's efforts to regain market share.