Tuesday, July 9, 2024 United Airlines has submitted an application to 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, this new route will offer customers more nonstop options between DCA and SFO, along with connections from SFO to approximately two dozen domestic markets within the Western U.S. and seven international destinations.
Notably, at least nine of these destinations currently lack United connection options to DCA via San Francisco. United’s proposal aims to avoid the busiest travel times at DCA, 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.” The proposed flight would provide additional scheduling options by introducing a morning departure from DCA to SFO and an afternoon departure from SFO to DCA, avoiding peak congestion times. United plans to operate the route with a Boeing MAX 8 aircraft, which has 150 eco.