Daily Nonstops to Chicago O’Hare Begin April 30, 2026
SAVOY, IL (January 27, 2026) – University of Illinois-Willard Airport is excited to announce that United Airlines will launch new service connecting Champaign-Urbana (CMI) and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) beginning April 30, 2026.
The new service will operate four times daily, year-round. United will greatly expand travel options from east central Illinois, with connections to 207 cities in a single stop.
“We are continuously working to increase Willard Airport’s reach,” said airport executive director Tim Bannon. “United’s return to the market will increase our daily seats by more than 50%, ensuring more people can fly Champaign-Urbana.”
“Willard Airport is a vital asset to anyone traveling to and from Champaign County to teach, to learn, and to engage in the collaborative and groundbreaking work that Illinois is known for,” said Illinois Chancellor Charles L. Isbell, Jr. “Additional travel options make our campus more accessible and extend our ability to deliver on our public land-grant mission.”
United’s schedule is designed to provide connections that serve business travelers, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign travelers and leisure travelers. With four daily roundtrips, Champaign-Urbana will be connected to United’s entire global network – the largest of any U.S. airline.
“We’re thrilled to welcome United Airlines back to our market,” said Carly McCrory-McKay, executive director of the Champaign County Economic Development Corporation and chair of Willard Airport’s advisory board. “With the launch of United’s new service, travelers flying from CMI will have one-stop access to 45 new destinations.”
New markets exclusively available through United’s Chicago hub include Fairbanks (Alaska), Brussels (Belgium), Edinburgh (Scotland), Frankfurt (Germany), Shannon (Ireland) and Zurich (Switzerland).
“We are excited to provide the Champaign-Urbana community with nonstop daily service to Chicago,” said Mark Weithofer, United’s Managing Director of Domestic Network Planning. “This route will provide our customers with greater access between east central Illinois and Chicago – making it convenient for travelers to visit all of the places they want to travel with United’s leading global route network.”
United was the first airline to begin scheduled service at Willard Airport. United returns to Champaign-Urbana after most recently serving Willard Airport from 2017 to 2019.
For more information about University of Illinois-Willard Airport, visit iflycu.com.
