United Airlines delayed the launch of 10 domestic routes out of O'Hare International Airport, attributing the decision to the Federal Aviation Administration's extended flight cuts.

Despite this, the airline reportedly launched several new routes out of the Chicago airport in 2026, expanding service to cities in California, Oregon and more. Here's what we know.

The airline said in an email that ten new routes announced in early 2026 would be delayed and removed from its schedule "following the extension of FAA's Chicago O'Hare's flight schedule cap through October 2027."

"We're working with impacted customers to find alternative travel options or provide refunds," the airline said. "We remain committed to providing important connectivity to these cities and hope to start service from Chicago once the FAA order expires."

The FAA previously announced flight reductions in April to prevent what it described as "widespread flight delays" at O'Hare, attributing delays to "constrained gate capacity" and "ongoing taxiway closures from construction," among other issues. The administration limited the airport's daily operations to 2,708 between May 17 and Oct. 24, 2026.

The FAA recently extended these flight reductions through October 2027.

Service to nearby Bloomington-Normal (BMI) and Champaign-Urbana (CMI) are delayed, as well as service to the following eight locations:

Alaska Airline's new business class will take to the skies this spring on routes from the carrier's Seattle hub to Europe and Asia. "We set out to design a Business Class experience that is both sophisticated and authentically Alaska: premium, comfortable and thoughtfully created for our guests. When we debut our new product this spring, it will raise the bar and redefine long-haul travel, while continuing to deliver the remarkable care that sets Alaska apart on the global stage," Andrew Harrison, Alaska's executive vice president and chief commercial officer, said in a statement.
Alaska Airline's new business class will take to the skies this spring on routes from the carrier's Seattle hub to Europe and Asia. "We set out to design a Business Class experience that is both sophisticated and authentically Alaska: premium, comfortable and thoughtfully created for our guests. When we debut our new product this spring, it will raise the bar and redefine long-haul travel, while continuing to deliver the remarkable care that sets Alaska apart on the global stage," Andrew Harrison, Alaska's executive vice president and chief commercial officer, said in a statement.
The suite features cabin-like finishes that Alaska says are meant to stake the airline's claim as "the West Coast's global carrier.
The suite features cabin-like finishes that Alaska says are meant to stake the airline's claim as "the West Coast's global carrier.
Bedding is also created by Filson and is in homey West Coast-inspired colors.
Bedding is also created by Filson and is in homey West Coast-inspired colors.
Alaska Airlines' new business class will feature a fully lie-flat seat with a privacy door and plenty of at-seat storage.
Alaska Airlines' new business class will feature a fully lie-flat seat with a privacy door and plenty of at-seat storage.
The Filson amenity kits are in Alaska Airlines colors and were created exclusively for the carrier.
The Filson amenity kits are in Alaska Airlines colors and were created exclusively for the carrier.
Bedding on Alaska Airlines' new business class consists of a mattress pad, a sleeping pillow, a lumbar pillow and a duvet.
Bedding on Alaska Airlines' new business class consists of a mattress pad, a sleeping pillow, a lumbar pillow and a duvet.
Plenty of storage is accessible, even when the seat is in flat bed mode.
Plenty of storage is accessible, even when the seat is in flat bed mode.
Alaska Airlines' new business class will feature a "restaurant-quality" menu including an update on the airline's customer favorite fruit and cheese platter.
Alaska Airlines' new business class will feature a "restaurant-quality" menu including an update on the airline's customer favorite fruit and cheese platter.
Amenities for Alaska Airlines' new long-haul business class are provided by Filson and Sand & Stone.
Amenities for Alaska Airlines' new long-haul business class are provided by Filson and Sand & Stone.

Despite the FAA's flight cuts, Simplyflying.com reported that United launched 12 new domestic routes out of O'Hare in 2026.

Based on flight scheduling data from aviation analytics company Cirium, Simplyflying.com reported that the following domestic routes were added:

Harrison County, West Virginia (CKB)

A majority of these were announced by the airline in an October 2025 press release, with service dates set to kick off between spring and summer of 2026.

United was asked to confirm these new routes, and this article will be updated if a response is given.

The airline also announced expanded daily service to Rochester, Minnesota (RST), Wausau, Wisconsin (CWA) and Marquette, Michigan (MQT), but these routes have since been delayed due to FAA cuts, according to United.

"United is already flying its busiest schedule in history at O'Hare," the airline said following the acquisition of five new gates at O'Hare. "Now these additional gates have unlocked new opportunities to intertwine cities across the country, serve more customers in Chicago and strengthen our hometown hub."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: United delays launch of 10 new O'Hare routes following FAA cuts