United Airlines Applies To Expand Service Between San Francisco And Washington DC

13.07.2024 - 01:49 / travelpulse.com / Patrick Quayle / North America / United Airlines / Rich Thomaselli

United Airlines wants to expand its service between San Francisco and the nation’s capital.

United has submitted a compelling application to the Department of Transportation (DOT) for a new daily roundtrip flight between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO). This proposed route is designed to optimize travel times and enhance the overall air travel experience.

United's proposed route seeks to avoid the busiest travel times at DCA.

"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."

What makes this different is the three-hour time difference between the East Coast and the West Coast and the early departure from Washington.

United’s proposed flight is designed to avoid the most congested travel times at DCA, offering additional scheduling options to customers. For the first time, a morning departure from DCA to SFO and an afternoon departure from SFO to DCA will be available, providing a unique and convenient travel experience. United plans to use the Boeing MAX 8 aircraft, with 150 economy cabin seats and 166 total seats.

Washington, of course, is the home of politics and the federal government, as well as several Fortune 500 companies, including the World Bank, and numerous tourist attractions.

San Francisco and its suburbs are the world’s tech capital, and California is home to more Fortune 500 companies than any other place. Its economy is the fifth largest in the world, at $3.9 trillion in 2023. San Francisco and its surrounding areas are home to over 30 Fortune 500 companies, including Airbnb, Apple, Alphabet, Chevron, Gap, Visa and Wells Fargo.

United has also applied for its first-ever DCA-Los Angeles (LAX) flight. 

But the airline has been under scrutiny for a string of mishaps this year.

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