FAA Orders Flight Cuts at O'Hare Amid Airline Rivalry

The move aims to ease congestion as United and American Airlines battle for dominance at the busy airport.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 11:06pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A photorealistic studio still life featuring a carefully arranged composition of premium metal and glass objects on a clean, monochromatic background, conceptually representing the abstract themes of airline competition, airport capacity, and federal regulation.A minimalist still life captures the high-stakes competition and regulatory oversight shaping the future of air travel at one of the nation's busiest airports.Chicago Today

The Federal Aviation Administration has ordered flight cuts at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport this summer, citing an ongoing turf war between United and American Airlines. Both airlines had planned significant increases in flights at the airport, which the FAA says would 'stress the runway, terminal, and air traffic control systems.' The order caps daily operations at just over 2,700 takeoffs and landings per day between May 17 and October 24, resulting in nearly 400 fewer flights than airlines had planned on peak days.

Why it matters

O'Hare is one of the busiest airports in the country, and the battle between United and American Airlines for dominance there has led to an unsustainable increase in planned flights. The FAA's intervention is aimed at maintaining reliable operations and reducing delays for passengers traveling through the airport this summer.

The details

The FAA order stipulates that airlines will be allocated flights based on their schedules during the summer of 2025. United had opposed using that baseline, arguing for adjustments to account for recent gate reallocations that gave the airline more space. However, the FAA said the 2025 baseline 'returns to a time when the schedules were not heavily influenced by air carrier attempts to increase market share.' The order specifically notes United's planned 34% increase in O'Hare departures as the 'most significant' factor in the congestion concerns.

  • The FAA order was posted on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
  • The flight cuts will be in effect from May 17 to October 24, 2026.

The players

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA)

The U.S. government agency responsible for the regulation and oversight of civil aviation.

United Airlines

One of the two dominant airlines at O'Hare International Airport, which had planned a 34% increase in departures this summer.

American Airlines

The other dominant airline at O'Hare, which had planned a 10% increase in departures this summer.

Bryan Bedford

The FAA administrator who issued the order to cap flights at O'Hare.

Chicago Department of Aviation

The city agency that runs O'Hare and Midway airports, which initially bristled at the FAA's proposed flight cuts.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We thank federal officials for leading the process to find a solution that makes sense for everyone who cares about O'Hare's success.”

— United Airlines

“We're pleased to have secured a sufficient level of flights through the FAA's process to operate a successful hub at O'Hare this summer and satisfy American's strategic objectives.”

— American Airlines

What’s next

The airlines will need to determine which specific flights to cut in order to comply with the FAA's order. The Chicago Department of Aviation may also provide further comment on the decision.

The takeaway

The FAA's intervention at O'Hare highlights the ongoing tensions between major airlines as they compete for dominance at key hubs. The flight cuts aim to maintain reliable operations and reduce delays for passengers, but also underscore the challenges of managing the complex dynamics of the airline industry.