United Airlines resumes service to Butte with daily flights from Denver

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United Airlines resumes service to Butte with daily flights from Denver

Research

Clint Henderson Managing editor | The Points Guy

By Sky Industry News

Oct 22, 2024

United Airlines has announced plans to resume service to Butte, Montana, beginning January 3, 2025. This move marks the return of the airline to a city it had previously ceased serving during the pandemic. The service will be operated by United Express affiliate SkyWest Airlines and will feature a daily flight from Denver using a 50-seat all-economy CRJ-200 aircraft.

The flight schedule includes a departure from Denver at 8:20 p.m., arriving in Butte at 10:24 p.m. The plane will stay overnight in Butte before departing the next day at 9:49 a.m., landing back in Denver at 11:50 a.m.

Butte lost United's service in July 2022 after just over six months of operation that began in January of the same year. With United's return, Butte will now have two airlines providing commercial services; Delta currently offers nonstop flights to Salt Lake City through its regional partner SkyWest.

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One reason for United's return is related to Butte being part of the Essential Air Service program supported by the U.S. Department of Transportation. This program provides subsidies to airlines operating routes that might not be profitable otherwise. Originally, Butte had only one subsidized route to Salt Lake City, but additional funding was recently awarded for another route.

Alongside this development, United has also launched new flights to Morgantown Municipal Airport in West Virginia from its Washington D.C.-area hub starting December 13. These additions are part of a broader expansion strategy by United which includes both international and domestic routes such as Crested Butte, Colorado, and Salt Lake City.

The decision comes as United revisits some markets it withdrew from during the pandemic due to pilot shortages and low demand. As conditions improve and with subsidies available, certain markets are seeing renewed interest from the airline.