Originally Posted by
JoeDTW
CLE-Chicago was not served by AA before deregulation; it was flown by United and Capital, and after the merger Northwest was allowed to be the second carrier.
I realize that AA didn't fly CLE-ORD until after deregulation, but you asked about 1980 which is indeed after deregulation. Nonethless, on checking, I see that AA didn't commence the route until even later.
In 1980, a passenger wishing direct Cleveland-Chicago service, in addition to UA & NW's nonstop CLE-ORD service, could fly ZW CLE-FWA-ORD and ML BKL-MDW.