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Solidifying its position as the largest air carrier in Denver International Airport, United Airlines announced today that it will dramatically increase its presence by adding 35 flights, 12 gates, six routes and three clubs beginning this summer and continuing throughout the year.
The airline also plans to build its employment base in Denver.
With DIA expecting up to 10% more passengers than it saw in 2019, United Airlines (Nasdaq: UAL) also says it will double the total number of early morning departures and late evening arrivals in and out of Denver. DIA estimates it will greet up to 76 million passengers in 2023, up from the 69.29 million served in 2022.
As part of the expansion, United will add new nonstop flights to six destinations. Four of those new routes are not served by any other Denver airline: Dayton, Ohio; Greensboro, North Carolina; Lexington, Kentucky; and San Juan, Puerto Rico.
The expansion is part of the United’s “nearly $1 billion investment to further improve the customer experience in Denver,” according to a news release.
The company says the expansion will increase gate capacity by 30% and includes a new check-in lobby, new user-friendly technology at gates, and the renovation and expansion of United Club locations.
“Denver is one of the fastest growing cities in the country and as the Mile High City’s most flown airline, it’s essential that we maintain the most modern infrastructure and fleet to support our local employees and customers and deliver a great experience,” said United CEO Scott Kirby in the news release.
'United Airlines Day' celebration
Kirby will join other United executives, local partners and elected officials at DIA for a celebration Tuesday.
The event will include a tour of United’s soon-to-open club spaces and a look inside a brand-new Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft, one of the planes that will fly some of the new Denver routes and one of about 700 new planes the airline expects to receive in the next decade.
As part of the day’s festivities, Denver Mayor Michael B. Hancock issued a proclamation naming today “United Airlines Day,” in honor of “United’s presence in Denver is significant to the prosperity of the city.”
United says it plans to hire more than 2,300 people – from ramp agents and customer service representatives, to pilots, flight attendants, maintenance technicians and more. United is the largest private employer in the city of Denver, with nearly 10,000 Denver-based employees and growing.
Flight expansions
United, which served 46% of DIA's passenger market share in the record-setting year of 2022, aims to reach more customers with new flight offerings.
United will fly new 737 MAX aircraft nonstop to San Juan, Puerto Rico, beginning Oct. 29, and Montego Bay, Jamaica, beginning on Nov. 4.
United also will use its new MAX aircraft to increase service to popular destinations like Atlanta, Austin, Texas, Boston and Miami. The airline will use Embraer 175 aircraft to connect Denver with Asheville and Greensboro, North Carolina; Dayton, Ohio; and Lexington, Kentucky, starting on Sept. 29.
Through a new morning “flight bank,” United will offer Denver customers expanded flight options to many popular destinations like Dallas/Fort Worth; Las Vegas; Los Angeles; Orlando, Florida; Phoenix; Portland, Oregon; San Diego and Seattle.
United says by doubling the total number of early morning departures and late evening arrivals, customers will have more flexibility and a greater ability to maximize their stays.
Airport improvements
The airline’s local infrastructure improvements include 12 new gates set to open in the A and B concourses by the middle of 2024. That will fortify United’s 90 total gates — the most of any airline at DIA.
This summer, United will also open a new club on the A Concourse and reopen its first of two revamped clubs on the B Concourse. The B Concourse United Club locations will be the largest ever at DIA.
All three United Club locations will feature two full levels of club space, and an upgraded design that “reflects the Colorado region.”
United also opened a new grab-n-go club concept called United Club Fly in November.
The exterior of United Club Fly at Denver International Airport.
