United Airlines celebrates 88 years of operations at Denver International Airport

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United Airlines celebrates 88 years of operations at Denver International Airport

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United Airlines | Official Website

By Sky Industry News

May 19, 2025

United Airlines is marking 88 years since it first operated a flight from Denver, solidifying its position as the largest airline at Denver International Airport (DEN). The airline serves both business travelers and regional traffic, maintaining a significant presence in the market.

"United Airlines has big plans for its Denver hub," with expansion efforts underway as passenger numbers continue to rise. The airline operates intercontinental flights from Denver, connecting the city globally. It uses large aircraft like the Boeing 777-200 and Boeing 787-9 for many services.

Denver International Airport is one of three United hubs located inland in North America, alongside Houston's George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and Chicago O'Hare Airport (ORD). These hubs are strategically positioned between major population centers.

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Despite a limited international route network from Denver, United focuses on domestic flights and connections from the western U.S. "The carrier mostly uses the airport for domestic flights."

Currently, United operates over 500 flights daily from Denver. This month alone, there are 15,841 total flights with 2,037,286 seats available. The busiest routes include major United hubs and nearby regional destinations like Colorado Springs Airport (COS).

United Airlines' hub in Denver is crucial for competing with other legacy airlines such as Delta Air Lines at Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) and American Airlines at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX). The geographic positioning of these cities necessitates a major hub for connectivity.

"Without a facility like Denver International, United Airlines would be pretty much dead in the water." While competitors face challenges in expansion, Denver offers room for growth due to its location outside of the city.