United Applies to Expand Service Between San Francisco and Washington National Airport

Rhea-AI Summary

United Airlines has applied to the U.S. Department of Transportation for a new daily nonstop flight between San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). This proposed route aims to enhance connectivity, offering unique morning and afternoon departures and avoiding the busiest travel times at DCA. The service will leverage the Boeing MAX 8 aircraft, featuring 166 total seats. If approved, this flight will provide connections from SFO to over 30 destinations, including nine that currently lack United service to DCA via San Francisco. Additionally, United has proposed its first-ever DCA-Los Angeles (LAX) route, aiming to foster competition and offer the earliest arrival and latest morning departure among all airlines servicing LAX-DCA.

Positive

• United Airlines' proposed new daily nonstop flight between SFO and DCA aims to improve connectivity and scheduling flexibility.
• If approved, the new route will provide connections from SFO to over 30 destinations, including nine without current DCA service.
• The service will use the Boeing MAX 8 aircraft, offering 166 total seats.
• United has also proposed its first-ever DCA-LAX route, aiming to enhance competition and provide more schedule options.

Negative

• The proposed new routes are contingent on approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation, which introduces uncertainty.
• DCA is one of the most congested airports, potentially impacting the new service's operational efficiency.

Proposed new daily nonstop flight from San Francisco and Washington National will provide more options and flexibility for travelers, as well as easy connections to more than 30 destinations in United's network

CHICAGO, July 8, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- United Airlines today filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for a new daily roundtrip flight between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

If approved, the new route will give customers more nonstop options between DCA and SFO and provide connections from SFO to about two dozen domestic markets within the Western U.S. – as well as seven international destinations. At least nine of these destinations are without United connection options to DCA via San Francisco today. Furthermore, United's proposed route seeks to avoid the busiest travel times at DCA, which is already one of the most congested airports in the country.

"With our hub in San Francisco, United is well positioned to serve the strong customer demand for air travel between Washington National and the Bay Area," said Patrick Quayle, Senior Vice President of Global Network Planning and Alliances at United Airlines. "If awarded by the DOT, this new service will give customers a unique morning departure from Washington National and a unique afternoon departure from San Francisco, as well as more connectivity for both domestic and international travelers via SFO."

United's proposed flight would avoid the most congested travel times at DCA and provide additional scheduling options to customers by offering for the first time a morning departure from DCA to SFO and an afternoon departure from SFO to DCA. United plans to use the Boeing MAX 8 aircraft, with 150 economy cabin seats and 166 total seats.

The Washington, D.C. region is a major center of commerce, hosting over 15 Fortune 500 companies, and is a hub for companies focused on emerging technologies, like AI and data sciences. The region is also home to the U.S. Federal Government and global institutions like the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and over 100 foreign embassies/consulates.

Like Washington, D.C., California is also a significant hub for innovation and business, and the state with the highest number of Fortune 500 companies. Its economy — the fifth largest in the world at $3.9 trillion in 2023 — has grown by 6.1% since the year prior, highlighting the state's robust and growing economy. San Francisco, the heart of Northern California, and its surrounding areas are home to over 30 Fortune 500 companies, including Airbnb, Apple, Alphabet, Chevron, Gap, Visa, and Wells Fargo. United provides customers a comprehensive global network in San Francisco, serving more than 60 domestic destinations and over 30 international destinations. The airline has an average of 240 daily departures from SFO and employs more than 12,000 people in the Bay Area.

As an alternate proposal to United's additional DCA-SFO flight, United has applied for its first-ever DCA-Los Angeles (LAX) flight. The proposed LAX flight would help foster healthy competition, as three other airlines currently fly the route. The proposed flight, which would also be operated on the Boeing MAX 8 aircraft, would also provide greater flexibility and schedule choice for customers with the earliest arrival in LAX of all airlines and the latest morning departure to DCA.

About United 

At United, Good Leads The Way. With U.S. hubs in Chicago, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, New York/Newark, San Francisco and Washington, D.C., United operates the most comprehensive global route network among North American carriers and is now the largest airline in the world as measured by available seat miles. For more about how to join the United team, please visit www.united.com/careers and more information about the company is at www.united.com. United Airlines Holdings, Inc., the parent company of United Airlines, Inc., is traded on the Nasdaq under the symbol "UAL". 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/united-applies-to-expand-service-between-san-francisco-and-washington-national-airport-302191217.html

SOURCE United Airlines

FAQ

What new route has United Airlines proposed?

United Airlines has proposed a new daily nonstop flight between San Francisco International Airport (SFO) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA).

What aircraft will United Airlines use for the new SFO-DCA route?

United Airlines plans to use the Boeing MAX 8 aircraft for the new SFO-DCA route, featuring 166 total seats.

How will the new United Airlines route between SFO and DCA impact connectivity?

The new route will provide connections from SFO to over 30 destinations, including nine that currently lack United service to DCA via San Francisco.

What alternative route has United Airlines proposed besides the SFO-DCA flight?

United Airlines has also proposed its first-ever DCA-Los Angeles (LAX) route, aiming to enhance competition and offer more scheduling options.

Why is United Airlines' new flight proposal significant for San Francisco and Washington National travelers?

United's new flight proposal is significant as it aims to improve connectivity, offer unique departure times, and avoid peak congestion at DCA, providing more travel options and flexibility.