United Airlines begins service to Denver from Dayton

Travelers in the Miami Valley can now pack their bags for a direct flight to Denver, Colorado. The United Airlines inaugural flight took off on Friday, September 29, 2023, and will fly daily from the Dayton International Airport (DAY) to Denver International Airport (DEN). The flight is the only direct flight to Denver from Dayton, and the furthest west passengers can go from DAY on a nonstop flight. 

“The launch of the western-most direct flight from the Dayton International Airport demonstrates that the JobsOhio Air Service Restoration Program, paired with assistance from local airports and economic development entities, is successfully attracting valuable commercial flights for Ohioans,” said J.P. Nauseef, JobsOhio President and CEO. “This new United Airlines route came with strong collaboration of several Team Ohio partners and will benefit both Dayton-area businesses and leisure travelers with cross-country travel.”

The JobsOhio Air Service Restoration program was created to bring more flights to Ohio. The program gives Ohio’s commercial airports the opportunity to work collaboratively through public and private partnerships to retain and restore air service for economic development. The program uses short-term revenue guarantee incentives to encourage carriers to operate at Ohio airports. Over time, these partnerships become self-sustaining, driven by business and consumer demand.

“Today we celebrate the new United nonstop route from Dayton to Denver, making Ohio more accessible as we continue to attract new businesses and opportunity for Ohioans,” said Ohio Governor Mike DeWine.

The nonstop flight to Denver provides a new connecting flight for Dayton area travelers with destinations further west than the Mile High City.

“We’re excited to bring this new, nonstop flight to the Miami Valley and thank our partners at the Dayton International Airport and the greater Dayton area community for their continued collaboration,” said Mark Weithofer, United’s Managing Director of Domestic Network Planning. “This new flight builds on United’s current service, and we look forward to continuing to connect Dayton to United’s global route now via Denver.”

The new route was added due to the combined efforts of the Dayton International Airport, JobsOhio, and the Dayton Development Coalition, as well as community partners CareSource, Montgomery County, and the Dayton Area Chamber of Commerce. It highlights the continued statewide effort to rebuild air capacity lost during the pandemic. 2020 was the last time Dayton International Airport had nonstop service to Denver.

Daily flights to DEN will depart at 9 a.m. EST and arrive at 10:18 a.m. MST. Return flights depart from DEN daily at 5:20 p.m. MST and arrive DAY at 10:03 p.m. EST.

For more information or to book a flight, travelers can visit United.com.