United adds flights, previews expansion at world's 3rd-busiest airport

Trevor Hughes, USA TODAY
·2 min read
20

DENVER — The world's third-busiest airport is getting a significant boost in United Airlines flights, with six new routes and a doubling of early morning departures and arrivals.

Located in the center of the country, the Denver International Airport (DIA) is a key hub for several carriers, from United to Frontier and Southwest, and the United announcement Tuesday helps maintain the airport's status. Internationally, the only airports that are bigger are Hartsfield–Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Georgia, Delta Air Line's main hub, and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport in Texas, home to American Airlines.

"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," United CEO Scott Kirby said in a statement.

United is Denver's largest private employer, with nearly 10,000 Denver-based pilots, maintenance workers and flight attendants. The announcement also included plans for new gates and lounges for frequent flyers.

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What new flights is United adding?

New, high-efficiency airplanes that allow longer flights mean Denver flyers can reach Hawaii, the Bahamas, Japan, London, Mexico and Germany nonstop, and United is now adding a direct flight to Jamaica this fall. It also announced several new domestic destinations from Denver:

  • San Juan, Puerto Rico

  • Asheville, North Carolina

  • Dayton, Ohio

  • Greensboro, North Carolina

  • Lexington, Kentucky

The average American flies fewer than twice a year, according to research from Gallup, and United believes the new options will help entice more people aboard. The airline said it will be using new 737 MAX airplanes to serve some of the busier routes, and on Tuesday showed off a new style of overhead bin that fits more carry-on bags by holding them sideways.

United 737 Capt. Mark Carpenter explains how the Boeing 737 MAX 9 airplane flies as compared to the original 737.
United 737 Capt. Mark Carpenter explains how the Boeing 737 MAX 9 airplane flies as compared to the original 737.

When will the new United gates and lounges open?

United began adding 20 new gates at DIA last year and plans to add another 12 by mid-2024, along with upgrading seating and adding more self-service customer-service kiosks. Once limited to the airport's B Concourse, United flights now operate from both A and B.

This summer, United will also open two new United Clubs at DIA, one of them the largest United club in the world. Once open, DIA will have approximately 100,000 square feet of club space across three United Club locations and United Club Fly, the airline's grab-and-go club.

Kirby on Tuesday also signaled United is considering adding a Polaris Lounge in the next several years to serve the airline's most valuable customers: Long-haul international flyers.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: United adds flights, previews expansion at world's 3rd-busiest airport