United Airlines has celebrated the first phase of expansion at the world’s largest pilot training facility, adding 40 new CAE training devices, a combination of full-motion and fixed simulators, since 2022.

United’s Flight Training Center in Denver now has eight total buildings, nearly 700,000 square feet of training space, the equivalent of 12 football fields, and a total of 86 CAE training devices, including 52 state-of-the-art full-motion flight simulators and 34 fixed training devices.

The airline now can train up to 860 pilots per day and with nearly 18,000 current pilots and continued growth ahead, United already has plans on adding to the training facility.

Phase two of the expansion project is expected to break ground next year and be operational before 2030.

“United pilots are the best aviators in the world, and the pace at which our team has completed this project is an example of making investments that support our high standard of excellence,” said United Chief Executive Officer Scott Kirby.

He said United continues to invest in Denver and as home to its fastest-growing hub, the airline has funnelled nearly $1 billion in investments since 2021 to further improve the customer experience at one of America’s largest airports.

This includes new gates, state-of-the-art United Club locations, including the largest in the United network to-date, and a new check-in lobby.

This northern summer, United is operating with an airport-leading average of 570 daily departures from Denver and the airline provides service to more than 200 total destinations, including more than 20 international destinations, from the Mile High City.