If you’ve been following the planned launch of United Airlines flights at Rochester, MN International Airport, you may be wondering: What’s going on?
United’s new nonstop service between RST and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) was originally scheduled to begin in April 2026. The launch was later moved to June, then October 2026 and, most recently, October 30, 2027.
The reason for the changes is not specific to Rochester. The delays are tied to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) limits on the number of flights that can operate at Chicago O’Hare.
Why is the FAA limiting flights at O’Hare?
United announced its RST service as part of a larger expansion of flights through its Chicago hub. But as airlines planned significant growth at O’Hare for summer 2026, the FAA became concerned that the number of scheduled flights would exceed the airport’s ability to handle them reliably.
More than 3,080 flights were planned at O’Hare on peak days during summer 2026—a nearly 15% increase over the previous summer. At the same time, fewer than 60% of O’Hare arrivals and departures were on time during summer 2025, according to the FAA.
In response, the FAA established scheduling limits intended to reduce congestion, delays, and cancellations. The restrictions were originally scheduled to expire October 24, 2026.
In July, however, the FAA extended them through October 30, 2027, citing ongoing construction projects and airfield adjustments that are expected to continue through summer 2027. The FAA determined that allowing the restrictions to expire as originally planned could result in significant delays and operational disruptions at O’Hare.
United’s new RST service is now scheduled to begin when those restrictions expire.
Is RST the Only Airport Affected?
The changes are not unique to RST.
United has delayed planned O’Hare service to a group of regional airports as it adjusts its schedule to comply with the FAA limits. Other affected airports include: Kalamazoo/Battle Creek (MI) International Airport, La Crosse (WI) Regional Airport, Capital Region International Airport (Lansing, MI), Erie (PA) International Airport, Marquette Sawyer Regional Airport (MI), University of Illinois Willard Airport (Champaign-Urbana, IL), Central Illinois Regional Airport (Bloomington-Normal, IL), and Central Wisconsin Airport (Wausau/Stevens Point, WI).
These communities have experienced the same progression of delays as Rochester as United has responded to changing FAA requirements at O’Hare.
In other words, the delay does not reflect an operational issue at RST. It is the result of broader capacity restrictions affecting United’s schedule at one of the nation’s busiest airports.
What Happens Next?
United’s plan remains to provide three daily, year-round flights between Rochester and Chicago O’Hare using its CRJ-550 regional jet. The launch date will be confirmed once the restrictions lift.
While the circumstances surrounding the repeated delays are unusual, one thing hasn’t changed: the best way our community can support air service is to fly the flights we have. Passengers can still get from Rochester to Chicago direct on American or with one stop on Delta.
Airlines decide where to add and maintain service based on the numbers—including passenger demand, revenue, and route performance. Every time travelers choose RST, they help demonstrate that Rochester is a strong market for air service.
That’s why flying local matters. Strong performance on the flights serving RST today helps protect the service we have and strengthens the case for more options in the future.
Want to be the first to know about future changes with United? Subscribe here.
Last updated August 20, 2026.
