The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is compelling airlines operating at Chicago O'Hare International Airport, the world's busiest airport, to implement schedule reductions aimed at minimizing operational disruptions as the summer season approaches.
Massive Flight Cuts by Major Carriers
In response to the FAA's directive, American Airlines and United Airlines have collectively shelved nearly 2,700 flights scheduled for May. This move comes after the FAA announced in April that it would take "action to prevent endless delays [and] cancellations at Chicago O’Hare."
Data from aviation analytics firm Cirius reveals that United and American have cut a total of 2,696 roundtrip flights at O'Hare in May, averaging about 87 flights per day. While this represents a small fraction of the airport's overall operations, it will still impact travelers.
Impact on American Airlines
American Airlines' May total has decreased by 787 round trips, from 32,410 to 31,623. The carrier has trimmed at least 10 rotations on 24 of its routes out of Chicago for May 2026.
United Airlines Bears the Brunt
United Airlines accounts for the majority of the cuts, with 1,909 services shelved. Its presence at O'Hare will drop from 43,271 scheduled roundtrip flights to 41,362 in May. Reports indicate that 53 routes have seen 10 or more May departures cut from United's schedules at O'Hare. Even United's largest US hubs, such as George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, and San Francisco International Airport, have experienced 10 or more May cuts.
Reasoning Behind the Reductions
Last summer, less than 60% of arrivals and departures at O'Hare were on time, prompting the airport to seek improved performance in 2026. O'Hare is expected to see nearly 15% more flights on peak days this year compared to summer 2025, raising the risk of overscheduling. Airlines have been instructed to cut flights to prevent disruptions.
"We appreciate the airlines working together with us to reach a responsible level of operations that strengthens safety and delivers a more reliable travel experience for the American public," said FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford.
