Daily service between the Piedmont Triad International Airport and Chicago O’Hare (ORD) will increase dramatically beginning this summer.
American Airlines has announced plans to add three daily non-stop flights between PTI and Chicago, bringing the total number of daily departures between the two airports to six. United Airlines already serves the Chicago market from PTI with three flights a day.
“This increase in the number of daily non-stop flights to Chicago is great news for our passengers,” said Steve Showfety, chairman of the Piedmont Triad Airport Authority. “We believe that there is demand for this service and that these airplanes will fill up quickly.”
Chicago is already one of the airport’s busiest destinations. In fact, it is the third busiest market for PTI behind New York LaGuardia and Atlanta. The new service will address a demand for additional service to Chicago.
“Chicago has been a top market at PTI for at least 15 years,” Showfety said. “Our analysis shows that there is enough demand for additional flights to do well with service to the Chicago market. American Airlines clearly came to the same conclusion.”
American Airlines will depart PTI daily at 5:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m. and 4:35 p.m. Flights will depart from Chicago to PTI daily at 7 a.m., noon and 7 p.m. The service will be provided in a regional jet that seats 50 passengers. Service begins July 5.
The new American Airlines service will give travelers from the Piedmont Triad more access to major western markets such as Denver, Las Vegas, Salt Lake City, Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, Los Angeles and San Diego.
American Airlines is also a member of the Oneworld alliance, a partnership of 15 airlines including eight serving Chicago such as British Airways, Cathay Pacific and Japan Airlines, offering seamless connections to Hong Kong, Tokyo, Berlin, Madrid, Helsinki, London, Amman and Doha.
“We are delighted that American Airlines has decided to add service between PTI and Chicago,” Showfety said. “This is good news for our business and our leisure travelers.”