American Airlines is cutting back its flight schedule starting August 2025, driven by strategic missteps, rising competition, and an ongoing legal dispute at Chicago O’Hare International Airport. According to Travel and Tour World, the airline is facing significant setbacks as competitors like United and Delta strengthen their premium offerings and capture more business travelers.
The carrier’s cuts at O’Hare are substantial. Flights between Chicago and Dallas/Fort Worth will drop from 98 weekly departures to 85. Additional reductions impact routes between Chicago and Wilmington (Delaware), El Paso (Texas), Kansas City (Missouri), Pittsburgh (Pennsylvania), and New York LaGuardia, as reported by Travel and Tour World, TheStreet, and aviation analytics firm Cirium.
Full List of Affected Routes
Here is the full list of affected routes starting in August 2025:
- Chicago → Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW): reduced from 98 to 85 weekly flights
- Chicago → Wilmington (ILM): all 7 weekly flights removed
- Chicago → El Paso (ELP): all 7 weekly flights removed
- Chicago → New York LaGuardia (LGA): 6 weekly flights removed
- Chicago → Kansas City (MCI): 5 weekly flights removed
- Chicago → Pittsburgh (PIT): 3 weekly flights removed
In total, over 70 weekly departures will be removed from the schedule. A spokesperson told TheStreet that these changes were planned earlier this year and that American continues to operate up to 6,700 daily flights, more than any other U.S. airline.
Why is American Airlines Cutting Flights?
These reductions come as American Airlines faces intense competition from United Airlines and Delta Air Lines, which have invested heavily in premium cabins, lounges, and services, attracting high-paying corporate travelers. Meanwhile, American’s strategy of pushing corporate customers to book directly on its website reportedly backfired, sending customers to rival carriers instead.
On top of these challenges, American is also embroiled in a legal dispute with the City of Chicago over gate allocations at O’Hare. The airline argues that the loss of gates violates a 2018 agreement. In May 2025, American filed a lawsuit and sought an injunction to prevent the gate reassignment scheduled for October 2025.
What Happens if American Airlines Cancels a Flight?
According to American Airlines’ official policy, if your flight is canceled or delayed causing you to miss a connection, the airline will rebook you on the next flight with available seats at no additional cost.
Your checked bags will also be rerouted automatically when you check in for your new flight.
Passengers have three ways to view their updated trip details or choose an alternative flight:
- American Airlines app: Log in, review your trip changes, select a new flight if needed, and check in to receive your new boarding pass.
- Website (aa.com): Find your trip under “Your trips,” accept the rebooked flight or select a different option.
- Airport kiosk: Scan your boarding pass or enter your confirmation code to view updated trip details and print new boarding passes.
For more details, American Airlines recommends reviewing the full Conditions of Carriage, which explain all policies for delays, cancellations, and diversions.
Source: American Airlines – Delayed or Canceled Flights
