United Returns To Rochester International (RST) With 3x Daily Chicago O’Hare (ORD) Flights
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United Airlines is coming back to Rochester International (RST) with a triple-daily link to Chicago O’Hare (ORD) starting April 30, 2026—restoring a core Midwest connection United previously operated from 2017–2021. The service will run under the United Express banner and is designed to plug Southeast Minnesota directly into United’s global network via Chicago O’Hare (ORD).
Route & Start Date
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City pair: Rochester International (RST) ⇄ Chicago O’Hare (ORD)
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Start: April 30, 2026
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Frequency: 3x daily (weekday-friendly timings to connect with ORD bank structures)
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Operator: United Express
Timetables and exact departure/arrival times will publish in United’s schedules closer to launch.
Aircraft & Onboard Experience: CRJ-550
United will deploy the Bombardier CRJ-550—a 50-seat regional jet tailored for a more premium short-haul experience:
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Cabin layout (50 seats): 10 First, 20 Economy Plus, 20 Economy
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Amenities: Larger bins for standard carry-ons, self-service snack & beverage station for First, power at many seats, and Wi-Fi on most airframes
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Why it fits RST–ORD: The CRJ-550’s performance and cabin mix suit high-frequency business and medical travel while preserving comfort on sub-90-minute stages.
Why This Matters For Rochester (RST)
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One-stop to the world: Three daily banks into Chicago O’Hare (ORD) enable same-day connections to United’s long-haul network across Europe, Asia, Latin America, Canada, and the Caribbean.
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Business & medical travel: The return of RST–ORD is especially important for Mayo Clinic staff, patients, and visitors, cutting surface time to Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) and tightening itineraries to/from national and international destinations.
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Market rebuild: RST passenger volumes have been recovering post-pandemic; additional capacity and schedule choice are key levers to restore pre-2020 momentum.
Competitive & Network Context
United brands Chicago O’Hare (ORD) as a primary hub with deep domestic coverage and extensive international connectivity. Re-adding Rochester (RST) strengthens United’s Upper Midwest footprint and rebalances access for Southeast Minnesota travelers who previously detoured via Minneapolis/St. Paul (MSP) or Chicago Midway (MDW).
What Travelers Should Expect
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Seamless connections at ORD: Morning, mid-day, and evening RST departures are expected to align with major ORD banks, improving reliability on onward itineraries.
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Consistent product: The CRJ-550 offers two cabins and extra carry-on space—reducing gate checks and speeding turns.
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Fare products: Main Cabin, Economy Plus, and First will be available; corporate and medical-travel program benefits should apply as usual.
Bottom Line
United Airlines will restore Rochester International (RST) to its network with three daily flights to Chicago O’Hare (ORD) beginning April 30, 2026. Using the CRJ-550, the schedule is built for dependable hub connectivity, supporting Rochester’s business, medical, and leisure demand while reconnecting the region to United’s global network through Chicago O’Hare (ORD).
