United Airlines Seeks to Expand Service Between San Francisco and Washington National Airport

United Airlines has submitted an application to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) to introduce a new daily roundtrip flight between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO). This proposed route aims to enhance nonstop options for travelers and establish better connectivity from SFO to various domestic and international destinations.

If approved, the new service will facilitate connections from San Francisco to around two dozen domestic markets in the Western U.S. and seven international destinations. Notably, nine of these destinations currently lack a United connection to DCA via San Francisco. Additionally, the proposed schedule aims to bypass the peak travel times at DCA, one of the nation's busiest airports.

United's new route will feature unique departure times, with a morning flight from Washington National to San Francisco and an afternoon flight in the reverse direction. This new schedule is expected to improve connectivity for both domestic and international travelers. The airline plans to operate this service using the Boeing MAX 8 aircraft, which includes 150 economy seats and a total of 166 seats.

The Washington, D.C. area, a major hub for commerce and technology with over 15 Fortune 500 companies, stands to benefit from this enhanced connectivity. It also hosts significant institutions such as the U.S. Federal Government, the World Bank, and the International Monetary Fund. Similarly, California, home to the largest number of Fortune 500 companies in the U.S. and a major center for innovation, has an economy valued at $3.9 trillion in 2023, making it the fifth largest globally.

San Francisco, a pivotal area in Northern California, is home to major corporations like Airbnb, Apple, and Alphabet. United Airlines boasts an extensive network from San Francisco, offering over 60 domestic and 30 international destinations, with an average of 240 daily departures. The airline employs more than 12,000 people in the Bay Area.

As an alternative, United has also applied for a new route between DCA and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). This proposal aims to increase competition on a route currently served by three other airlines, providing the earliest arrival in LAX and the latest morning departure to DCA, offering greater flexibility and choice for travelers.