United Airlines is expanding its network in 2025 with additions to international and domestic markets, including adding a new route to China and transatlantic expansion from Denver.
The U.S. Transportation Department (DOT) has approved the carrier’s request to launch flights between Los Angeles International Airport and Beijing Capital International Airport, starting early May. Flights will operate three times per week, flying year-round using Boeing 787-9 aircraft.
The DOT approval stipulates that the service must start within 10 days of May 1, otherwise the frequencies will revert back to the department. Any frequency not operated for a period of 90 days once inaugurated will also be deemed dormant by the DOT.
United applied for the U.S.-China Zone 1 frequencies in early December, saying it plans to down-gauge equipment on San Francisco-Beijing Capital to 777-200 if the request was granted. The Star Alliance member holds 28X-weekly U.S.-Beijing frequencies.
According to OAG Schedules Analyser data, the airline currently serves San Francisco-Beijing Capital daily, as well as offering daily flights to Shanghai Pudong International Airport from both Los Angeles and San Francisco.
However, the airline in September asked the DOT to extend a waiver on six routes—Chicago-Beijing, Chicago-Shanghai, Newark-Beijing, Newark-Shanghai, Washington-Beijing and an additional seven weekly frequencies on San Francisco-Shanghai—as capacity between the countries continues to lag because of geopolitical issues and lower business travel demand.
Alongside the planned introduction of the Los Angeles-Beijing service, United intends to expand its network from Denver International Airport (DEN) next summer, introducing six new destinations. The additions include transatlantic service to Rome Fiumicino Airport from May 1, joining Frankfurt, London Heathrow and Munich as European points served from DEN.
Rome ranks as Denver's largest unserved international market in terms of passenger demand. Over the most recent year, more than 60,000 passengers traveled between Denver and Rome, rising by 30% year-on-year. Italy also ranks as Denver's fourth-most popular country for international travel behind Mexico, Canada and the UK.
Alongside the new transatlantic link, United will launch a route from DEN to Regina, Canada, on May 15, while new domestic routes will connect Denver to Peoria, Illinois, Buffalo, New York, Redding, California, and Wilmington, North Carolina.
Elsewhere, the airline will open its first-ever service from San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Panama City, Panama, on May 22. The daily year-round flights will be operated with 737 aircraft, making United the only U.S. carrier to connect SFO directly to Panama City. According to OAG Schedules Analyser data, Copa Airlines is the sole carrier to link San Francisco and Panama nonstop at present, flying up to twice a day using 737-9s.
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