United Airlines resumes Rhinelander-Chicago flights using Bombardier jets

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United Airlines resumes Rhinelander-Chicago flights using Bombardier jets

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By Sky Industry News

Dec 24, 2024

United Airlines is set to resume a regional connection between Rhinelander, Wisconsin, and Chicago using Bombardier jets operated by SkyWest Airlines. The service will commence in May 2025, following a suspension in 2021 due to operational challenges.

The route will be serviced by United Express with flights conducted on SkyWest Airlines' Bombardier CRJ200 aircraft. Rhinelander–Oneida County Airport (RHI) will serve as the departure point for this seasonal service starting May 22 through September 28. Initially, there will be a daily roundtrip to and from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD), with an additional daily service commencing on June 28.

Matthew Leitner, Director of Rhinelander Oneida County Airport, commented on the significance of securing new airline services amid ongoing pilot shortages: “It's really exciting. It's a very popular service. As I often say, it's really difficult, extraordinarily difficult, for airports to secure new airline service... They need that ridership.”

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According to aviation analytics company Cirium, United Express plans ten one-way flights between the two destinations in May 2025. This number will increase to twice daily in late June, resulting in 35 flights each way that month. The increased frequency will continue through July and August with 62 flights each direction before returning to one daily flight in September.

The Bombardier CRJ200 jet used for this route accommodates 50 passengers and completes the journey from Chicago O’Hare in approximately an hour. United’s Mileage Plus loyalty program applies to this service.

Leitner highlighted the community's growth and the convenience of having direct connections: “Rhinelander is a burgeoning community... Many of them work online, but when the time comes to travel... it really eliminates the necessity to go to another airport.”

In addition to reintroducing this route, United announced during its third-quarter earnings call that it would acquire eleven more Bombardier CRJ550 aircraft through SkyWest starting December. The CRJ550s are converted CRJ700s designed for premium configurations while maintaining compliance with contractual weight limits.

“United signed an agreement with SkyWest to begin operating the CRJ550 as part of the United Express portfolio,” stated United during their announcement.