American Airlines Cancels Hundreds of Flights Starting August

American Airlines cancels flights from Chicago starting August amid legal disputes and competitive challenges. See which routes are affected.

American Airlines is facing major challenges amid stiff competition from United Airlines and Delta Air Lines. The airline has fallen behind due to several strategic missteps and its failure to enhance premium travel services.

One of its biggest mistakes lies in its corporate travel strategy. American encouraged corporate clients to book directly through its website to avoid third-party commission fees. However, that move backfired. By removing its fares from corporate booking platforms, the airline pushed many clients toward competing carriers.

American Airlines also struggled to compete in delivering a premium travel experience. While United and Delta invested heavily in upgrading business-class cabins, enhancing lounge facilities, and offering exclusive services, American didn’t keep pace.

Operationally, American focused its route network on the Sun Belt region, making it less efficient than its rivals. Although it flies daily from major hubs like Chicago and Philadelphia, its network structure leaves it vulnerable to economic pressure, including high inflation and post-pandemic uncertainty.

Flight Reductions Start in August

Under increasing pressure, American Airlines adjusted its flight schedules. These changes, first announced in May 2025, will take effect in August and involve cutting hundreds of flights each month. Aviation analytics firm Cirium reported that Chicago O’Hare International Airport will feel the most impact.

Specifically, American plans to reduce 70 weekly departures from Chicago O’Hare. Here are the affected routes:

Despite these reductions, American still expects to operate 16.5% more weekly flights from Chicago O’Hare in August 2025 than during the same month last year.

The airline emphasized that it had announced the changes earlier in the year. A spokesperson told The Street, “American hasn’t made any new schedule changes for August. We’re proud to offer up to 6,700 daily flights — more than any other airline — to help travelers reach their vacation destinations before summer ends.”

Dispute Over Gate Allocations at Chicago O’Hare

Alongside the flight cuts, American Airlines is also fighting a legal battle over gate allocations at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport. The airline expects to lose access to four gates, which it says will significantly reduce its operations at the airport.

American argues that this gate loss violates a 2018 agreement with the City of Chicago. In May 2025, the airline filed a lawsuit accusing the city of breaching the contract.

In July, American asked a federal judge to block the gate reassignment scheduled for this fall.

The airline believes that the city didn’t factor in the increased business activity that followed the opening of new gates earlier in the spring. Typically, airports assign gates based on each airline’s historical operations.

“The gate reassignment process has reached a critical phase. Without court intervention, changes will go into effect on October 1,” said American’s legal team. “At that point, we may not be able to reverse the damage during litigation.”

What This Means for Travelers

So far, the legal dispute remains unresolved. However, the airline has already confirmed the cancellation of 70 weekly flights since May, and travelers on affected routes are already seeing fewer options.

As choices become more limited, passengers — especially those flying to and from Chicago — may need to adjust their plans for late summer.