New gates, routes, lounges, jets: United reveals major Denver expansion as hub grows significantly

by James Wilkinson

United has revealed significant plans grow its Denver hub, adding 35 flights, six new routes, 12 new gates and three clubs, including the largest ones in the carrier’s network.

Starting this summer, the carrier also will double the total number of early morning departures and late evening arrivals in and out of Denver, giving customers more flexibility and more options to stay away longer, according to United’s CEO, Scott Kirby.

“Denver is one of the fastest growing cities in the country and as the Mile High City’s most flown airline, it’s essential that we maintain the most modern infrastructure and fleet to support our local employees and customers and deliver a great experience,” he said.

“Our expansion in Denver will further enable us to connect our customers to destinations across the globe and revitalize our presence at the airport with modern, customer friendly offerings.”

The airline will add new non-stops to six destinations including four not served by any other Denver airline: Dayton, OH; Greensboro, NC; Lexington, KY and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

The airline’s local infrastructure improvements include 12 new gates set to open in the A and B concourses by the middle of 2024. That will give United 90 total gates, the most at Denver International Airport.

This expansion is part of the carrier’s nearly US$1 billion investment to further improve the customer experience in Denver – an increase in gate capacity by 30%, a new check-in lobby, new user-friendly technology at gates, a new grab-n-go club concept called United Club Fly and the renovation and expansion of United Club locations.

This summer, United will also open a new club on the A Concourse and reopen its first of two revamped clubs on the B Concourse.

The B concourse United Club locations will be the largest ever and all three United Club locations will feature two full levels of club space, and an upgraded design that reflects the Colorado region.

As a result of the airline’s United Next plan, United will expand mainline flying out of Denver to its highest levels in 20 years, while repurposing its regional fleet to fly to smaller, less-served destinations.

Overall, United will offer more capacity from Denver than ever before, with over 60,000 departing seats per day.

In total, United will operate 35 new flights in 2023 out of Denver and since 2018, has added over 90 mainline departures per day.

This year, United will fly new 737 MAX aircraft non-stop to San Juan, Puerto Rico, beginning October 29, and Montego Bay, Jamaica, beginning November 4.

In addition to the new routes, United will use its new MAX aircraft to increase service to popular destinations like Miami, Austin, Boston and Atlanta.

As United grows its mainline fleet, the airline will use Embraer 175 aircraft to connect Denver with Asheville, NC; Dayton, OH; Greensboro, NC and Lexington, KY, starting on September 29.

United’s new morning flight bank will offer Denver customers expanded flight options to many popular destinations like Dallas/Fort Worth, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Orlando, Phoenix, Portland, San Diego and Seattle.

By doubling the total number of early morning departures and late evening arrivals, customers will have more flexibility and a greater ability to maximize their stays, according to the carrier.

This summer, United will fly non-stop to more than 150 destinations from Denver, with over 450 daily departures – more than 50% more flights and destinations than the airline’s nearest competitor.

Kirby said United is proud to be the only airline serving Hawaii non-stop from Denver, with up to five daily flights across Hawaii’s four largest islands.

Additionally, with 18 international destinations – more than double any other airline, and the only US carrier serving Europe and Japan – United is the go-to airline for Denver customers traveling across the United States and the world.

Last year, United began its ambitious concourse expansion, adding 20 new gates across A and B concourses.

United plans to open 12 more gates by the middle of 2024, bringing United to an industry-leading 90 gates at the airport.

The airline is also investing more than $40 million to update its footprint at 55 existing Concourse B gates by incorporating modern furniture options with in-seat power and new digital signage and self-service kiosks to support customers on their journey.

This summer, United will also open two of three new United Club locations in Denver, including its largest club in the world.

Each club will feature elevated design inspired by Colorado as well as modern amenities including self-scan entry gates, Agent on Demand kiosks, free high-speed Wi-Fi, among others.

Once open, Denver International Airport will feature approximately 100,000 square-feet of club space across three United Club locations and United Club Fly, the airline’s grab-and-go club format that debuted in 2022.

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