American Launches Flights to Tokyo From Chicago O’Hare as It Looks to Rebuild Hub and Take on United

Key Points

• American will begin nonstop Chicago O’Hare–Tokyo service on March 27, 2027 using a Boeing 787-9, tied to its Japan Airlines joint venture with onward connections across Asia.
• The expansion intensifies American’s turf war with United at O’Hare, where both carriers have added capacity despite FAA-ordered summer flight reductions over congestion.
• American is evaluating a major widebody order (RFP out to Boeing and Airbus) to modernize and grow its international fleet, as it trails Delta’s 158 and United’s 230 widebodies with just 137.

Summary

American Airlines will launch nonstop service between Chicago O’Hare and Tokyo starting March 27, 2027, operated on a Boeing 787-9 with 30 business and 21 premium economy seats. It marks American’s 11th long-haul route from O’Hare and is embedded in its joint business venture with Japan Airlines, offering timed connections onward to Bangkok, Singapore, Taipei, and Ho Chi Minh City. The move underscores American’s push to strengthen its Chicago hub and compete internationally against Delta and United—the latter a direct rival at O’Hare, where the FAA has ordered summer flight reductions amid congestion. American also plans new domestic routes to Charlottesville and Ontario, a 10,000-square-foot Chicago lounge, and is weighing a major widebody order (currently in talks with both Boeing and Airbus) to close the gap with Delta and United, which operate substantially larger widebody fleets.