'Everybody is switching': A United exec took aim at American as the airlines battle at Chicago O'Hare
Business Insider
February 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
United Airlines is aggressively vying for dominance at Chicago O'Hare Airport, with its CFO Mike Leskinen claiming that passengers are "switching from American to United" due to superior profitability and service. Leskinen highlighted that while United operates profitably at the airport, American is struggling financially, operating at a negative 9% margin compared to United's 5%. This strategic competition is part of United's broader effort to expand its presence in Chicago, where it already holds 40% of the market share—significantly higher than American's 23%.
Chicago O'Hare is a critical hub for airlines, given its Midwest location and access to major cities across the U.S. United has announced plans to add five new routes and increase daily flights to 750 by summer, outpacing American by about 200 flights. Leskinen emphasized that while both airlines are adding capacity, not all of it is equally profitable. United's focus on premium services, including better aircraft, flight schedules, and lounge access, has attracted more high-paying customers.
The battle for dominance at O'Hare also extends to physical infrastructure. United aims to acquire two gates through Spirit Airlines' bankruptcy proceedings, a move Leskinen described as essential for sustainable growth. Meanwhile, American has faced challenges, including lower profits and labor unrest. Its flight attendant union has expressed no confidence in leadership and held protests over the airline's recent struggles. With Delta Air Lines also performing strongly, American lags behind its rivals in profitability and customer appeal.
This rivalry matters because it underscores broader trends in the aviation industry—namely, the importance of strategic hub dominance, premium service quality, and operational efficiency. As United doubles down on Chicago, the outcome could reshape the competitive landscape of one of the world's busiest airports, with significant implications for both airlines' financial futures and customer experiences.
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Originally published on Business Insider on 2/20/2026