Key Takeaways
• United Airlines will gain six gates at O’Hare in October 2025, increasing its flight capacity and international routes.
• American Airlines will lose gates, leading to cuts of 70 weekly flights starting August 2025 at O’Hare airport.
• American Airlines is suing Chicago’s Department of Aviation to block gate reallocation based on a 2018 agreement.
Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport is set for a major shift in how its gates are shared between two of the country’s biggest airlines. United Airlines will gain six more gates, while American Airlines will lose some of its current spots. This change, planned for October 2025, has sparked a heated legal fight and raised questions about fairness, competition, and the future of air travel at one of the busiest airports in the United States 🇺🇸.
Let’s break down what’s happening, why it matters, and how it could affect travelers, airline workers, and the city of Chicago.
What’s Changing at O’Hare and Why?
Who: United Airlines, American Airlines, and the Chicago Department of Aviation
What: Reallocation of six gates from American Airlines to United Airlines
When: Scheduled for October 2025, with final decisions expected by June 1, 2025
Where: O’Hare International Airport, Chicago
Why: To better match gate space with each airline’s share of flights, as outlined in a 2018 agreement
How: By using a formula based on how many flights each airline operates from its assigned gates
This change is not just about moving airplanes around. Gates are the lifeblood of an airline’s operations at any airport. They determine how many flights an airline can run, how many passengers it can serve, and how much it can grow in a city. For United Airlines, getting more gates at O’Hare means more room to add flights, especially international ones. For American Airlines, losing gates could mean cutting flights and shrinking its presence in Chicago.
The Agreement Behind the Dispute
The root of this battle goes back to the O’Hare Airline Use and Lease Agreement (AULA), signed in 2018. This contract set the rules for how gates are shared among airlines at O’Hare. It includes a process for reallocating gates if certain conditions are met:
- The airport needs more gates that any airline can use (called “common-use” gates)
- A major airline asks for more gates that it can control (called “preferential-use” gates)
United Airlines triggered this process by asking for more gates, arguing that it runs more than half of O’Hare’s flights but doesn’t have enough gates to match. The Chicago Department of Aviation then looked at the numbers for 2024 to see if the current gate assignments were fair.
United Airlines’ Argument
United Airlines says the numbers speak for themselves:
- United operates 52% of O’Hare’s departures but only has 48% of the gates
- American Airlines has 41% of the gates but only flies 37% of the departures
United’s President, Brett Hart, called American’s lawsuit a “meritless attempt to stop the City’s process from moving forward.” In a memo to staff, he accused American of “neglecting Chicago for years” and pointed to United’s own investments in the city, including hiring more than 2,000 local employees and planning to add 5,400 more by 2027.
United also claims that American has shifted its focus to other airports, especially Dallas (DFW) and Charlotte (CLT), instead of growing in Chicago.
American Airlines’ Response
American Airlines is not taking this quietly. The company has filed a lawsuit against the Chicago Department of Aviation, arguing that:
- The city is breaking the 2018 agreement, which American says does not allow for extra gates to be given out until 2027
- The new plan gives United an unfair edge and blocks American from growing at O’Hare
- United’s long-term plan “envisions no place for American,” according to the lawsuit
During an earnings call in April 2025, American’s Chief Strategy Officer, Steve Johnson, said the company disagrees with the city’s decision and warned that the fight “is going to take a while to sort out.” Still, Johnson said American should be able to keep growing in Chicago for now, even with fewer gates.
How Will This Affect Flights and Passengers?
If the gate reallocation goes ahead as planned, here’s what could happen:
- United Airlines will use the new gates to ease crowding and start two new long-haul international routes from O’Hare. The airline could also add up to 50 more flights if it fully uses the extra space.
- American Airlines may have to cut back on its flying plans for the summer of 2026 if it loses gates. In fact, American has already announced it will cut 70 weekly flights from 34 routes in August 2025, with most of these cuts happening at O’Hare.
- Travelers could see more United flights and possibly fewer American flights out of Chicago. This could mean more choices on United, but fewer on American, especially for certain destinations.
Omar Idris, United’s Vice President at O’Hare, said the expansion will help their “hometown hub compete with hubs like Atlanta and Dallas Fort Worth, which have overtaken O’Hare in total destinations, daily departures, daily departing seats and overall aircraft size.”
What Does This Mean for Competition?
Some experts worry that giving United Airlines even more gates at O’Hare could hurt competition. United already runs more than half of the flights at the airport. If it gets even bigger, there may be fewer choices for travelers and possibly higher prices.
According to analysis from VisaVerge.com, changes like this can have a big impact on how much airlines compete with each other, which can affect everything from ticket prices to the quality of service.
The U.S. Department of Transportation keeps a close eye on competition at major airports. For more information on how the government regulates airline competition and airport access, you can visit the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Aviation Consumer Protection page.
The Legal Battle: What Happens Next?
American Airlines’ lawsuit could delay or even stop the gate reallocation. The final gate assignments are supposed to be set by June 1, 2025, but the legal fight may push this date back.
American seems to be looking ahead to the next chance to get more gates, which could come in early 2026. Steve Johnson said that if American keeps growing its flights in Chicago, it could be in a good spot to benefit from the next round of gate changes.
Meanwhile, United Airlines is moving forward with its plans to improve the passenger experience at O’Hare. The airline recently finished its “Gate of the Future” project in Terminal 1, adding more self-service options, better lighting, and improved waiting areas across 55 gates.
Why Are Gates So Important?
At a busy airport like O’Hare, gates are a precious resource. Each gate is a spot where a plane can park, load and unload passengers, and get ready for its next flight. The more gates an airline has, the more flights it can run. Losing gates can force an airline to cut flights, while gaining gates can open the door to growth.
Here’s why this matters:
- For airlines: Gates control how much an airline can grow in a city. More gates mean more flights, more passengers, and more revenue.
- For travelers: Gate changes can affect which flights are available, how crowded the airport feels, and even how easy it is to make connections.
- For airport workers: Changes in gate assignments can mean more or fewer jobs, depending on which airline is growing or shrinking.
- For the city: Airlines that grow at O’Hare bring more visitors, more business, and more tax revenue to Chicago.
How Did We Get Here? A Look Back
The fight over gates at O’Hare is not new. For years, United Airlines and American Airlines have been the two biggest players at the airport. Both have invested heavily in their operations there, and both see Chicago as a key part of their national and international networks.
The 2018 O’Hare Airline Use and Lease Agreement was supposed to bring order to the process of sharing gates. It set up rules for when and how gates could be reallocated, based on how many flights each airline runs. But as this latest dispute shows, even the best agreements can lead to fights when so much is at stake.
What Are the Broader Implications?
This battle is about more than just two airlines fighting over gates. It raises bigger questions about:
- How airports should share limited resources: Should gates go to the airlines that use them the most, or should there be room for smaller competitors?
- How cities can balance growth and fairness: Chicago wants O’Hare to be a world-class airport, but it also wants to keep competition healthy.
- How legal agreements are interpreted: Both United Airlines and American Airlines are using the 2018 agreement to support their side, but they disagree on what it really means.
For travelers, the outcome could shape which airlines offer the most flights, which destinations are easiest to reach, and how much tickets cost.
What Should Travelers and Workers Expect?
If you fly out of O’Hare, here’s what to watch for:
- Flight schedules may change: American Airlines has already announced cuts, and more could come if it loses gates. United Airlines may add new flights, especially to international destinations.
- Airport experience could improve: United’s investments in new technology and better waiting areas may make Terminal 1 more comfortable.
- Job opportunities may shift: United plans to hire thousands more workers in Chicago, while American may slow its hiring if it cuts flights.
For airline employees, these changes could mean new roles, different schedules, or even transfers to other airports.
What Happens Next?
The next few months will be critical. The final gate assignments are supposed to be set by June 1, 2025, but the legal fight could change that timeline. The reallocation is scheduled to take effect in October 2025, but delays are possible.
Both airlines are preparing for different outcomes:
- United Airlines is ready to grow, add flights, and invest in O’Hare.
- American Airlines is fighting to keep its gates but is also planning for the next round of changes in 2026.
Travelers, workers, and the city of Chicago will be watching closely to see how this plays out.
Key Takeaways and Next Steps
- United Airlines is set to gain six more gates at O’Hare, while American Airlines will lose some, starting in October 2025.
- This change is based on a 2018 agreement that ties gate assignments to how many flights each airline runs.
- American Airlines is suing to block the change, arguing it’s unfair and breaks the agreement.
- United Airlines says it needs more gates to match its share of flights and plans to use them to add new routes and jobs.
- The outcome could affect flight choices, ticket prices, and job opportunities in Chicago.
- The legal battle may delay or change the timeline, with the next big decision expected by June 1, 2025.
For the latest updates on airline operations, airport policies, and passenger rights, travelers can check the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Aviation Consumer Protection page.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the way airports share their gates can have a big impact on competition, prices, and the overall travel experience. Whether you’re a frequent flyer, an airline worker, or just someone interested in how big decisions are made at major airports, this story is one to watch.
Stay tuned as the legal process unfolds and both United Airlines and American Airlines fight for their place at Chicago’s O’Hare—a battle that could shape the future of air travel in the United States 🇺🇸 for years to come.
Learn Today
Gate Reallocation → The process of redistributing airport gates based on airline flight operations and agreements.
O’Hare Airline Use and Lease Agreement (AULA) → A 2018 contract defining gate-sharing rules and reallocation procedures at O’Hare airport.
Preferential-use gates → Gates assigned specifically for exclusive use by a particular airline at an airport.
Common-use gates → Gates at airports available for use by multiple airlines without exclusivity.
Departure Share → The percentage of total outbound flights an airline operates from a specific airport.
This Article in a Nutshell
United Airlines plans to gain six gates at O’Hare airport by October 2025, expanding flights and hiring thousands. American Airlines disputes this reallocation, filing a lawsuit that may delay changes. This gate shift affects passengers, competition, and job prospects, shaping Chicago’s key airport for years to come.
— By VisaVerge.com
