American Airlines is adding daily nonstop flights between Ontario International Airport and Chicago O’Hare International Airport later this year.
New service is scheduled to begin Dec. 17, adding new travel options at the Southern California airport that is becoming one of the fastest growing in the nation.
According to an airport press release issued Wednesday, American Airlines will compete with United Airlines, which currently operates flights on the same route.
Read More: American Airlines ‘not interested’ in potential merger with major competitor
The round-trip service includes an early morning departure from Ontario and a mid-evening arrival on the return flight. The flight from Ontario is scheduled to depart at 6 a.m. local time and arrive in Chicago at 12:15 p.m. The return flight is scheduled to depart Chicago at 6:15 p.m. local time and land back in Ontario at 8:48 p.m.
| Flight | Departure | Arrival |
|---|---|---|
| Ontario to Chicago | 6:00 a.m. PST | 12:15 p.m. CST |
| Chicago to Ontario | 6:15 p.m. CST | 8:48 p.m. PST |
The airline will operate the route utilizing Boeing 737 aircraft. According to the press release, the planes are configured with 172 seats across three classes, consisting of 16 first class seats, 24 main cabin extra seats and 132 main cabin seats.
Airport officials welcomed the expansion as part of a long-standing relationship with the carrier.
Alan D. Wapner, the president of the Ontario International Airport Authority and city of Ontario mayor pro tem, noted that the airline has served the area since 1970.
“American Airlines is a long-valued partner of our airport, having served the area’s residential and business communities since 1970. We welcome this new service and wish our friends much success as they continue to invest in our airport and our region,” Wapner said in a statement.
Wapner highlighted Ontario’s continued growth and appeal due to its relative affordability, facilities and ease of access when compared to Southern California’s larger airports, referring to ONT as the “airport of choice in greater Los Angeles.”
Ontario is located about 44 miles east of Los Angeles in San Bernardino County.
Ontario International Airport continues steady growth
The Southern California gateway has continued to report steady growth in recent years as airlines expand service in the Inland Empire, with the airport serving destinations across the United States, Mexico, Central America and Taiwan.
The airport reported more than 2.7 million passengers for the first five months of the year, which represents an increase of 2.3% year-over-year. Domestic passenger volume reached 2.4 million, while the number of international travelers rose by 53.7% to more than 292,000.
For the month of May, passenger volume grew by 0.4%, with the airport welcoming 632,441 travelers, including 577,523 domestic passengers. International fliers increased by 41.5% to nearly 55,000.
Air cargo, including commercial freight and U.S. mail, increased by 4.7% in May as freight tonnage rose by 8.2% to surpass 63,000 tons. Airport officials said the facility consistently ranks among the top 10 cargo airports in the United States.
Read More: These are the 50 best airlines for 2026
In the coming days, ONT will shift its focus on the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, which is expected see nearly nearly 123,000 air travelers pass through the airport.
The big announcement regarding American Airlines’ new Chicago service coincides with the 10th anniversary of the airport’s return to local ownership, officials said.
The airport is owned and operated by the Ontario International Airport Authority under a joint powers agreement between the city of Ontario and San Bernardino County, and American Airlines has been a major partner since the airport reverted to local authority.
Since 2016, American Airlines has increased its flights by 25% and the number of seats offered by 66% at ONT. The carrier consistently ranks among the top five airlines in passenger volume at the airport, where it also operates nonstop service to Dallas-Fort Worth, Charlotte and Phoenix.
Booking for the new Chicago-Ontario flights is scheduled to open Monday, July 6, through the airline’s website.
