New Route of the Day – Americas (6 April 2026): United between Chicago ORD and Santa Barbara
United introduced flights between Chicago ORD and Santa Barbara on Monday 6 April. The 2,900-kilometre service will be maintained daily with the 166-seat 737 MAX 8 aircraft. The Star Alliance member is the sole operator on the route.
Flight UA1008 departs Chicago ORD at 08:45 local time, arriving in Santa Barbara at 11:13 local time. The return service, operating as flight UA1009, takes off at 12:30 local time, touching back down in the Windy City at 18:30 local time.
What they said
Chris Hastert, Director at Santa Barbara Airport, said: “SBA is thrilled to welcome back nonstop service to Chicago. This has been one of the most requested routes from our community, and we’re grateful to United Airlines for helping meet that demand. Restoring this direct connection to a key Midwest hub offers travellers additional options for travel across the country and beyond.”
Kathy Janega-Dykes, President & CEO of Visit Santa Barbara, added: “Visit Santa Barbara is delighted to welcome the return of United Airlines’ nonstop service from Chicago to Santa Barbara. Chicago is a vital Midwest hub for both leisure and business travel. This new service offers a convenient way for visitors to experience Santa Barbara’s extraordinary coastal beauty, vibrant food and wine scene, and myriad attractions. It also provides opportunities for local businesses and residents who will benefit from strong connectivity to the heart of the country. We deeply appreciate United Airlines and the Santa Barbara Airport team for their continued commitment to enhancing our region’s air service and supporting our local hospitality economy.”
United to run up to 750-daily Chicago ORD flights
United’s operations from its Chicago ORD hub will reach 750-daily flights this summer, which is 200 more than its next largest competitor and the largest schedule ever flown by any airline from the airport.
Throughout 2026, United will serve up to 222 destinations, more than any other airline at Chicago ORD, and 38 more than its next largest competitor. This includes 47 international cities across Europe, Asia and South America as well as 175 US destinations.
Chicago ORD strengthens Santa Barbara’s growing network of nonstop destinations, which now counts 13, with approximately 26-daily departures. Additional service growth is on the horizon, with nonstop service to San Diego scheduled to begin 22 April on Alaska Airlines.
