(CINCINNATI, KENTUCKY) — American Airlines is boosting its Chicago O’Hare service from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) with three new daily flights starting in February 2026. For travelers, that means more day-trip timing, easier same-day connections, and better odds of rebooking when winter weather disrupts schedules.
American’s move lifts peak-day frequency on the CVG–ORD corridor to seven daily departures. O’Hare is American’s key Midwest hub and feeds a large share of the airline’s long-haul network.
The added flights were announced December 30, 2025, and are expected to appear in February schedules. Specific flight times can vary by day of week, so check your exact travel date before committing to a tight connection.
Key service details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Route | CVG → ORD (and return) |
| New service | +3 daily flights |
| Peak-day total | Up to 7 daily departures |
| Start date | February 2026 |
| Airline | American Airlines |
Why this matters if you fly out of CVG
CVG has grown into a strong origin-and-destination airport, but many trips still require a hub connection. More ORD frequencies give you more “connectable” departure banks. That matters for:
- International trips routed via Chicago, including many Europe departures.
- Same-day business travel when you need a morning outbound and evening return.
- Irregular operations, when the next available seat can be the difference between going home or staying overnight.
CVG CEO Larry Krauter called the extra seats “a considerable benefit” for both business and leisure travelers. From a passenger standpoint, frequency is often worth more than a bigger plane: more departures can cut layover time and reduce the odds you get stuck overnight.
Where ORD fits in American’s CVG network
Chicago O’Hare is already one of American’s most important links from CVG. Recent reporting shows ORD ranks third among top CVG routes for American by flight count, trailing Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) and Charlotte (CLT).
| American Airlines top CVG routes (by flight count cited) | Flights |
|---|---|
| Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) | 599 |
| Charlotte (CLT) | 536 |
| Chicago O’Hare (ORD) | 317 |
Those numbers provide useful context: ORD is already a major spoke for CVG travelers. Adding three daily flights is a real step-change in flexibility and connectivity.
Mileage and loyalty implications for AAdvantage members
More nonstop options usually translate into more “good” itineraries, which matters under American’s revenue-based AAdvantage earning on American-marketed flights.
- If you credit to AAdvantage, you earn miles based on the base fare and carrier-imposed fees. Most members earn 5 miles per dollar; elites earn more depending on tier.
- More flights can mean:
- Better-priced itineraries on the same route, which can lower mileage earnings on cheap fares.
- More chances to choose higher-priced, better-timed flights that earn more miles.
- Easier last-minute positioning to ORD for an award or premium-cabin deal.
If you are chasing Loyalty Points, frequency helps practically: you can fit more quick turns and recover from delays without losing a paid hotel night.
Award travelers should also benefit. More flights typically add more saver-level seats over time and create more connection combinations when searching awards out of CVG. Even when saver space is tight, extra frequency can open “one-seat-left” options.
💡 Pro Tip: If you have an international award out of ORD, price a separate CVG–ORD positioning flight. Extra frequencies can help you arrive earlier for the same miles.
Competitive context: why this corridor is a battleground
CVG is an airport where hub airlines matter. American’s growth on CVG–ORD aims to keep Chicago a first-choice connection and to defend share against other hubs.
- Delta has a powerful Atlanta hub for CVG travelers.
- United operates a strong O’Hare presence for Chicago-bound trips.
- American increasing CVG–ORD frequency is a classic hub-feed play to keep more Cincinnati travelers inside American’s network for both domestic and international trips.
For travelers, competition often shows up in schedules and price. The biggest immediate win here is the schedule: with seven daily departures at peak, you can usually find a flight that matches meetings, connections, or family pickup times.
What to watch for in February 2026
February is a challenging month operationally in the Midwest. Snow and low visibility can snarl ORD operations — that’s where frequency becomes valuable. If a flight cancels, your odds of grabbing the next departure improve when there are more options.
⚠️ February weather can disrupt ORD operations. Always verify exact flight times for your travel date, and assign extra buffer time for international connections to avoid missing your next leg.
- Build buffer time for tight international connections at ORD; more CVG–ORD flights reduce risk but don’t eliminate it.
- Compare timing across the seven daily options once the new frequencies appear in the schedule.
- If the new frequencies open a better connection, reprice your itinerary before seats fill on the most convenient departure banks.
Still, ORD is ORD: when possible, add extra connection time for long-haul departures and factor in winter operational risks.
Starting February 2026, American Airlines will boost service between Cincinnati (CVG) and Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to seven daily flights. This expansion enhances connectivity for international travelers and business commuters while providing a safety net during winter weather disruptions. By increasing frequency, American aims to capture more market share from competitors like Delta and United, offering passengers more flexible scheduling and better mileage redemption opportunities.
