United Airlines has filed an application with the U.S. Department of Transportation for a new daily roundtrip flight between Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and San Francisco International Airport. The request comes after passage in May of the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill included five new slots for DCA. United joins Alaska Airlines, American Airlines and Southwest Airlines, which each previously announced their intention to apply for one of the slots.
Patrick Quayle, senior vice president of global network planning and alliances at United, said that 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 airline intends to use Boeing Max 8 aircraft for the route, with a total of 166 seats, including 150 in economy class.
As an alternate proposal to United’s additional DCA-SFO flight, the airline has applied for its first-ever DCA-Los Angeles flight. The proposed flight, according to the company, would help foster healthy competition, as three other airlines currently fly the route.
