CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA (CVILLE RIGHT NOW) – Charlottesville-Albemarle Regional Airport announced on Wednesday that American Airlines will be resuming twice-daily flights to Chicago O’Hare International Airport. According to a CHO release, the new schedule will feature departures to Chicago at 8:35 a.m. and 6:41 p.m., as well as trips from O’Hare at 2:01 p.m. and 7:45 p.m. First Class service will be available on these flights.
The release lists O’Hare’s status as one of America’s largest hubs, with both American and United Airlines calling it its home base. Its location will provide travelers with easier access to 187 different destinations across the US.
Chairman of the Board of the Charlottesville-Albemarle Regional Airport authority and Albemarle County Executive Jeff Richardson said the return of American’s Chicago service “…reinforces Charlottesville-Albemarle Airport’s role as a critical economic engine and reflects the confidence that major airlines have in the strength and future of the region.”
During the COVID-19 Pandemic, American Airlines cancelled their service to Chicago from CHO Airport, and that disruption has had ripple effects throughout the city.
“Whenever there is a reduction in direct routes to major hubs from Charlottesville, it’s a huge inconvenience to clients and I find myself booking out of Richmond or Dulles more,” said Julie Arbalaez, CEO of Peace Frogs Travel Agency in Charlottesville.
Arbalaez is excited to see twice-daily service return to Charlottesville. With ready access to another hub of American Airlines, it opens up possibilities of better itineraries to more destinations across the world.
“It creates more opportunity for flights to the West Coast, smaller airports that AA serves, and good connections to places like Hong Kong, Australia and more,” Arbalaez explained.
The new service schedule with these flights included will begin November 2.
