Chicago O’Hare Becomes Busiest U.S. Airport by Flight Operations in 2025

This article summarizes reporting by CBS News and journalist Todd Feurer.

Chicago O’Hare Overtakes Atlanta for Flight Operations Title

For the first time since 2019, Chicago’s O’Hare International Airports (ORD) has reclaimed the title of the busiest airport in the United States. According to reporting by CBS News, O’Hare surpassed Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in 2025, ending Atlanta’s multi-year reign at the top of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rankings for flight operations.

The shift in rankings highlights a significant resurgence in air traffic through the Midwest. Data cited in the report indicates that O’Hare’s rise was driven by a 10.5% year-over-year increase in operations. While Atlanta has long held the global crown for passenger volume, the metric for this specific ranking focuses on the sheer number of aircraft movements, takeoffs and landings, rather than the number of people flying.

By the Numbers: Operations vs. Passengers

It is essential to distinguish between the two primary metrics used to rank airport traffic: flight operations and passenger volume. While O’Hare has taken the lead in the number of planes moving through its runways, Atlanta remains the busiest hub for passenger traffic.

According to the preliminary 2025 statistics summarized in the report:

• Chicago O’Hare (ORD): 857,392 operations.
• Atlanta (ATL): 807,625 operations.

This data reveals a strategic divergence between the two hubs. Atlanta typically utilizes larger aircraft with higher load factors, allowing it to transport approximately 108 million passengers compared to O’Hare’s estimated 80 million, despite handling fewer individual flights. O’Hare’s volume is driven by its unique status as a dual-hub for two major carriers, United Airlines and American Airlines, which utilize a high frequency of smaller regional jets alongside mainline aircraft to feed their networks.

The “Capacity War” Driving Growth

The surge in flight operations at O’Hare is largely attributed to aggressive competition between its two largest tenants. Industry analysis suggests that a “capacity war” between United Airlines and American Airlines has significantly inflated flight numbers.

United Airlines has focused on solidifying O’Hare as its premier connecting hub, adding approximately 13 new domestic routes and increasing frequencies across its network. Simultaneously, American Airlines executed a strategy involving the addition of over 100 daily departures specifically targeting the spring break season, alongside new international routes to destinations such as Naples and Madrid.

This intense competition resulted in O’Hare being ranked as the “most connected” airport in the U.S. for 2025. On July 18, 2025, the airport offered more potential flight connections on a single day than any other facility in the country.

AirPro News Analysis: The Cost of Connectivity

While the reclamation of the “busiest” title is a marketing victory for the City of Chicago, we believe it presents a complex reality for travelers. The increase in flight frequency offers passengers more options and potentially lower fares due to carrier competition. However, this volume places immense strain on infrastructure that is currently under construction.

The data indicates a sharp trade-off between volume and reliability. O’Hare’s on-time performance hovered around 64% in 2025, significantly lower than Atlanta’s 79%. For the consumer, the choice between O’Hare and Atlanta may now come down to a preference for schedule frequency (O’Hare) versus operational reliability (Atlanta).

Infrastructure and Future Outlook

The traffic surge comes as Chicago continues its massive “O’Hare 21” modernization project. The city is currently constructing Satellite Concourse 1 and planning a new Global Terminal to replace Terminal 2. These projects are designed to integrate domestic and international operations more seamlessly, though construction logistics currently add to the complexity of ground operations.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson welcomed the news as a sign of economic recovery for the region.

“This is more than a statistic, it’s a statement about Chicago’s momentum… We are open for business, open to the world.”

— Mayor Brandon Johnson (via City of Chicago press statements)

Aviation analysts expect the rivalry between United and American to persist through 2026, likely keeping flight volumes high. However, the gap in passenger numbers between Chicago and Atlanta is expected to remain, as Atlanta continues to maximize efficiency with larger airframes.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is O’Hare the busiest airport in the world?
A: In terms of passenger traffic, no, Atlanta (ATL) generally holds that title. O’Hare is currently the busiest in the U.S. regarding flight operations (takeoffs and landings).

Q: Why did O’Hare beat Atlanta this year?
A: The primary drivers were aggressive schedule expansions by United and American Airlines, resulting in a 10.5% increase in flight operations year-over-year.

Q: Does more flights mean more delays?
A: Often, yes. In 2025, O’Hare reported an on-time performance rate of approximately 64%, while Atlanta maintained a higher reliability rate of 79%.

Sources

CBS News, City of Chicago Department of Aviation