CHICAGO- United Airlines (UA) is set to launch a new daily route connecting Washington D.C. (IAD) to Salt Lake City (SLC) starting December 19, 2024.
Chicago-based carrier’s new service will operate daily, employing a mix of aircraft including the Airbus A319, A320, and Boeing 737-700.
United Washington to Salt Lake City Flight
Here’s the flight schedule as reported by Ishrion Aviation:
- The initial service will utilize a Boeing 737-800, departing IAD at 5:30 PM and arriving in SLC at 8:34 PM.
- The return flight will leave SLC at 11:30 PM, reaching IAD at 5:29 AM the following day.
This move follows recent developments in the market. Breeze Airways (MX) recently entered IAD with flights to South Bend (SBN) and Provo (PVU). United responded by adding an IAD-SBN route and is now expanding with the IAD-SLC service, challenging Delta Air Lines (DL) long-standing dominance on this route.
The airline’s schedule indicates frequent equipment changes, with the Boeing 737 MAX 9 joining the rotation and a switch to the 737-800 planned for March 6, 2025. Flight numbers may also vary two to three times during this period.
The introduction of this route marks the first time Delta faces direct competition from United on the IAD-SLC route. Industry observers speculate that Delta might respond by adding a second daily frequency to maintain its market position.
United’s commitment to the new route is evident in its scheduling.
- The airline plans 26 flights in December 2024, offering 3,372 seats.
- January 2025 will see an increase to 62 frequencies with 9,060 seats available.
- February’s schedule includes 56 flights but will provide more seats – 9,063 – due to the deployment of the larger 737 MAX 9, which can accommodate 53 additional passengers compared to the A319.
- United Airlines will transition to an all-Boeing fleet on its Washington D.C. (IAD) to Salt Lake City (SLC) route in March 2025. The airline will replace Airbus A320 aircraft with Boeing 737-800s, scheduling 62 flights and offering over 10,300 seats. Flight times remain unchanged, but numbers will shift to UA721 for westbound and UA1264 for eastbound journeys.
Operated IAD-SLC Route Decade Ago
Cirium data reveals United previously operated this route until December 3, 2013, as the sole carrier between these airports, Simple Flying reported.
Following United’s withdrawal, passengers had to depart from Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) or Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) for nonstop SLC flights.
Delta Air Lines initiated IAD-SLC service in April 2017, maintaining exclusivity until now.
United’s gradual route reintroduction contrasts with Delta’s established presence. In December 2024, Delta will operate more daily frequencies.
January 2025 will see both airlines offering 62 flights each, though Delta retains a seat advantage with 9,920 seats scheduled, all on Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
United Airlines will provide service to IAD from 46 of the top 48 metropolitan areas. Oklahoma City (OKC) and Birmingham (BHM) remain the only two major metros without direct United flights to Washington Dulles International Airport.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News.