Tri-Cities Airport Announces New Daily Nonstop Service to Chicago O’Hare on American Airlines

Kylie Toler on December 18, 2025

Tri-Cities Airport (TRI) announced today that American Airlines will launch new daily nonstop service to Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) beginning May 21, 2026. Tickets for the new route will go on sale Monday, December 22.

This new daily service gives travelers more flexibility and convenience when flying out of Tri-Cities Airport. With nonstop access to Chicago O’Hare, passengers can easily connect to hundreds of destinations across the U.S. and around the world.

“This is a significant addition for our airport and our region, one we’ve been working toward for a long time,” said Gene Cossey, President & CEO of Tri-Cities Airport. “We know there’s strong demand for this service, so we’re excited to finally be able to offer it to our local passengers. We’re proud to continue growing air service in ways that meet the needs of our community and support regional economic development.”

As a major hub for American Airlines, Chicago O’Hare connects travelers from Tri-Cities Airport to an extensive network of cities and markets. Its hub status ensures not only frequent flight options but also the support of a global airline network, making it easier to coordinate business or leisure travel anywhere in the country or beyond.

“We’re excited to introduce new nonstop service between Tri-Cities Airport and Chicago O’Hare, one of American’s largest hubs,” said Franco Tedeschi, Vice President of US Airports and Strategic Partnerships. “This route is designed to foster connections- whether meeting with business partners, visiting family, or exploring new destinations, customers in the Tri-Cities region will now have easier access to hundreds of cities across our global network, helping them stay connected to the people and places that matter most to them.”

Behind the new service is a strong, collaborative effort involving local businesses, regional partners, and community leaders. TRI was recently awarded $900,000 through the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Small Community Air Service Development (SCASD) Program, which helped support the launch of the Chicago O’Hare route. Input from local employers and stakeholders played a key role in identifying Chicago as a priority market that would deliver the greatest benefit to the region.

“We’re so grateful for the support that made this new route possible,” said Cossey. “We want to thank all the local businesses, leaders, and community partners that pledged their support, the Department of Transportation for awarding this grant, and of course American Airlines for seeing the value in our region and taking advantage of this great opportunity.”

The SCASD Program is designed to help small and mid-sized communities strengthen air service and improve access to the national air transportation system. TRI has worked over the past year to align federal resources with local support to grow sustainable air service that meets regional demand.

Daily nonstop service between Tri-Cities Airport and Chicago O’Hare will begin May 21, 2026. Flights can be booked starting December 22 at aa.com.

For more information about the new route and the SCASD Program:

Rebrand and Website Announced

TRI Admin on December 14, 2016

Press Release &
In-House Press Conference

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, December 15, 2016

TRI Launches New Brand and Website

Blountville, TN – Tri-Cities Airport (TRI) unveiled an updated name, new logo and new website today. The new logo highlights the Airport code, TRI, and reflects the clean, modern design of the Airport. The new website, www.triflight.com, is mobile-friendly, easy to navigate, and highlights information passengers access the most.

The Airport has served the Tri-Cities area since 1937 and continues to evolve as the community grows and changes. The most recent enhancements to the terminal area have improved access, convenience, and appearance for an important front door to the region.

“These improvements gave us an opportunity to also update the image that represents the Airport’s brand,” said Patrick Wilson, executive director. “The term ‘Regional’ was removed from the name which provides a better indication that Tri-Cities Airport is a full-service commercial airport providing services and facilities for passengers, air cargo, corporate and general aviation.”

The Tri-Cities Airport Authority approved removing regional from the name and the initial logo concept on August 25. The Airport staff then turned its focus to finalizing the logo, updating collateral materials, social media sites, and development of the new website.

“We are so pleased to have the new website up and available for our community,” said Kristi Haulsee, director marketing and air service development. “The new triflight.com provides information airport users need the most right at their fingertips. It also highlights opportunities to connect with the airport through newsletters and social media sites.”

Social media plays a key role in the Airport’s rebranding effort. Two hashtags will be used to help tell the story of TRI, as well as offer passengers the opportunity to share their travel adventures. #FlyTRI will be used when sharing information about TRI, and #IFlyTRI can be used by passengers to tell their positive TRI experiences and share their travel stories.

“The rebranding effort shows our continued commitment to grow our facilities and services to support the quality of life and economic development of Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia and the surrounding areas,” said Wilson.

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Tri-Cities Airport (TRI) is a full-service commercial airport serving Northeast Tennessee, Southwest Virginia, Western North Carolina, and Eastern Kentucky. TRI offers nonstop flights to four hubs (Atlanta, Charlotte, Orland/Sanford, and Tampa/Clearwater/St. Petersburg) on Allegiant, American, and Delta. For more information about Tri-Cities Airport, visit www.triflight.com.

Contact: Kristi Haulsee
Tri-Cities Airport Authority
Director of Marketing & Air Service Development
O: 423-325-6032/C: 423-802-4086
khaulsee@TRIflight.com

Official Contest Rules

TRI Admin on December 1, 2016

OFFICIAL RULES:

Tri Cities Airport 2016-17 SOCIAL MEDIA GIVEAWAYS

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. PURCHASE OR PAYMENT OF ANY KIND WILL NOT INCREASE YOUR CHANCES OF WINNING. ENTRY IN THIS PROMOTION CONSTITUTES YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THESE OFFICIAL RULES.

  1. Eligibility. Tri Cities Airport Social Media Giveaways (the “Promotions”) are open only to legal residents of the fifty (50) United States and the District of Columbia who are at least eighteen (18) years of age at the time of entry. Employees of the Tri Cities Airport, as well as the immediate family (spouse, parents, siblings and children) and household members of each such employees, are not eligible. All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply. Void where prohibited.

Promotion Period to be defined as time of post to 11:59 pm ET on the same day.

  1. Sponsor: Tri Cities Airport. 2525 TN-75, Blountville, TN 37617
  2. Prizes and Approximate Retail Value (“ARV”): Prizes will vary based on giveaway type. Each giveaway will consist of one prize. Value of the prize will be valued at $100.00 or less.

No substitution is allowed and no cash alternative is available, except the Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value in Sponsor’s sole discretion. Each winner is responsible for all taxes and fees associated with prize receipt and/or use.

  1. Odds: Odds of winning a prize depend on the number of eligible entries received during the Promotion Period.
  2. How to Enter:

“Like” Tri Cities Airport on Facebook (www.facebook.com/TRIflight), Follow Tri Cities Airport on Instagram (@triflight_), or follow Tri Cities Airport on Twitter (@triflight) Tri Cities Airport will post giveaway instruction messages throughout the Promotion Period. Follow the instructions on each post to enter to win. Limit one prize per person per year.

  1. Drawings and Giveaways:

Winners will be chosen by sponsor based on all entries received by 11:59 pm ET. Winners will be notified via Facebook/Instagram comment and/or private message within five (5) days of winning. Twitter winner will be notified by tagging the winner user’s handle. If winner does not respond with requested contact information for prize delivery within two (2) days of being notified, the potential winner forfeits prize. Sponsor is not responsible for any incorrect or inaccurate information. In the event that a potential winner is disqualified for any reason, Sponsor will award the applicable prize to an alternate winner by a random drawing from among all remaining eligible entries.

  1. Release: For entry in the Promotion and/or receipt of any prize, each entrant and winner agrees to release and hold harmless Sponsor, its parent, subsidiaries, affiliates, suppliers, distributors, Tri Cities Airport and advertising/promotion agencies and each of their respective parent companies and each such company’s officers, directors, employees and agents from and against any claim or cause of action, including, but not limited to, personal injury, death, or damage to or loss of property, arising out of participation in the Promotion or receipt or use or misuse of any prize. Entrance shall be considered permission to use entrant’s email address in future promotions and mailings.
  2. Publicity: Except where prohibited, participation in the Promotion constitutes each entrant’s and winner’s consent to Sponsor’s and its agents’ use of his or her name, likeness, photograph, or voice for promotional purposes in any media, worldwide, without further payment, consideration, or compensation.
  3. 9. Limitations of Liability: Sponsor reserves the right to cancel the Promotion if any fraud, technical failures or any other factor beyond Sponsor’s reasonable control impairs the integrity of the Promotion as determined by Sponsor in its sole discretion.
  4. Winners’ List: To receive a copy of the Winners’ List for this Promotion (available after December 31, 2016), mail a self-addressed, stamped #10 envelope to be received by January 15, 2016 to: Winner’s List, Tri Cities’s Social Giveaways, 2525 TN-75, Blountville, TN 37617.
  5. Miscellaneous: Except where prohibited, by participating you agree to these Official Rules and to the decisions of Sponsor, whose decisions are final and binding in all respects. Failure to comply with these Rules may result in disqualification. All issues concerning the construction, validity, interpretation and enforceability of these Rules shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Tennessee, State of Virginia, and State of North Carolina. By entering, entrants irrevocably consent to the sole and exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of the State of Tennessee located in the county of Sullivan for any action, suit or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Promotion.

*Subject to change, please contact TRI for additional questions or policies.