Between June and August 2025, airlines predict a significant increase in the number of seats from Chicago airports. According to a press release from the Chicago Aviation Department (CDA), the companies will offer 17.8 million seats this summer, an increase of 7 % compared to the previous year, and 4 % compared to 2019. This expansion highlights international airports O’Hare and Midway, which will serve 265 destinations around the world, against 250 last year.
Large airlines strive to strengthen their position in the Chicago market. American Airlines, for example, will increase its offer of seats by 25 % and increase the departures by 22 % from O’Hare airport compared to the summer of 2024, reaching nearly 480 daily flights. All flights from Chicago will now be provided by planes fitted with two -classes, offering more premium seats.
United Airlines, on the other hand, announced that in 2025, it will offer more seats from Chicago than to no other time of the last twenty years. In 2024, the company recruited 2,000 new Illinois employees to support this growth. Southwest Airlines, the first regional operator, will offer direct flights to 77 destinations at the peak of summer, in July.
Other airlines also increase their presence in Chicago. From July 7, Turkish Airlines will increase its flights between O’Hare and Istanbul to 17 per week. Avianca will launch a seasonal connection between O’Hare and San Salvador in early June, while Cathay Pacific will offer a daily service between O’Hare and Hong Kong during the summer, a first since 2019.
According to our colleagues from Anadolu, Finnair and Japan Airlines will also offer daily flights to Helsinki and Narita respectively, increasing direct flight options for travelers. New roads will be open by Frontier Airlines, Spirit Airlines and Westjet, thus strengthening the already robust air network of Chicago.
