United Express adds ORD-BMI/CMI!

United Express announced today that it will be linking both Champaign-Urbana and Bloomington-Normal with four daily roundtrips to Chicago-O'Hare starting April 30 and May 7, respectively. Champaign-Urbana media has been quick to post online stories.

Look for an update later today.

UPDATE: Central Illinois Regional Airport last had United Express service to Chicago-O'Hare in 2008. FM Radio 89.1 WGLT has a story here. Champaign-Urbana's local CBS affiliate, WCIA TV-3 has a story here.

The expansion is part of an escalating war between American Airlines and United Airlines at Chicago-O'Hare International Airport over gates and dominance. Whether this big increase in capacity for Central Illinois air travelers is sustainable is a big question.

Fares will come down and traffic will be stimulated at both airports, but how long it lasts depends on whether these services are profitable, or at least losses are minimal but the flights provide profitable feed to long haul domestic and international flights.

- David P. Jordan 

Comments

  1. AnonymousJanuary 27, 2026 at 3:16 PM

    I'm not sure both airports can support 4 daily flights to O'Hare , especially since both airports currently have daily flights to O'Hare. I thought United tried servicing both these airports before and it was not profitable!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. David P. JordanJanuary 27, 2026 at 4:05 PM

      United Express served Champaign-Urbana in 2017-2019 and Bloomington-Normal in 2000-2008. The big increase in capacity and competition with American Eagle will no doubt require lower fares. Whether this is sustainable is unclear.

      Delete
  2. AnonymousJanuary 27, 2026 at 6:16 PM

    Fares and destination from ORD all the same, give me Eagle's EMB17X over Expresses CR2 sardine can.

    ReplyDelete

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