United Airlines has submitted an application to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) for a new daily roundtrip flight between Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO). If approved, this new route would offer customers more nonstop options between DCA and SFO, along with connections from SFO to approximately two dozen domestic markets within the Western U.S. and seven international destinations. Notably, at least nine of these destinations currently lack United connection options to DCA via San Francisco.
United’s proposal aims to avoid the busiest travel times at DCA, one of the most congested airports in the country. “With our hub in San Francisco, United is well positioned to serve the strong customer demand for air travel between Washington National and the Bay Area,” said Patrick Quayle, Senior Vice President of Global Network Planning and Alliances at United Airlines. “If awarded by the DOT, this new service will give customers a unique morning departure from Washington National and a unique afternoon departure from San Francisco, as well as more connectivity for both domestic and international travelers via SFO.”
The proposed flight would provide additional scheduling options by introducing a morning departure from DCA to SFO and an afternoon departure from SFO to DCA, avoiding peak congestion times. United plans to operate the route with a Boeing MAX 8 aircraft, which has 150 economy cabin seats and 166 total seats.
The Washington, D.C. area is a major commercial center, hosting over 15 Fortune 500 companies and numerous emerging technology firms, such as those in AI and data sciences. It is also home to the U.S. Federal Government and international institutions like the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, and over 100 foreign embassies and consulates. Similarly, California is a significant hub for innovation and business, boasting the highest number of Fortune 500 companies in any state. With a 2023 economy valued at $3.9 trillion—making it the fifth largest in the world—California has experienced a 6.1% growth since the previous year. San Francisco, the heart of Northern California, is home to over 30 Fortune 500 companies, including Airbnb, Apple, Alphabet, Chevron, Gap, Visa, and Wells Fargo.
United’s comprehensive global network at SFO serves more than 60 domestic destinations and over 30 international destinations, with an average of 240 daily departures and employing over 12,000 people in the Bay Area.
As an alternative to the additional DCA-SFO flight, United has also applied for its first-ever DCA-Los Angeles (LAX) flight. This proposed LAX flight would foster healthy competition, as three other airlines currently operate the route. The flight, also to be operated with a Boeing MAX 8 aircraft, would offer greater flexibility and schedule choice for customers, with the earliest arrival in LAX of all airlines and the latest morning departure to DCA.
