Back in August, United Airlines announced 13 new routes to ten new international destinations in its largest-ever route expansion. But the airline isn’t ignoring smaller U.S. markets as it continues to grow its network.
United apparently isn’t ready to let Delta Air Lines have Flagstaff without a little competition. Just days after Delta Air Lines added Flagstaff to its route map four years after United said goodbye, United has filed plans to return to the northern Arizona airport. Beginning August 10, 2027, the airline will resume nonstop service between Denver International Airport (DEN) and Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG).
The timing is hard to ignore. Delta announced on October 1 that it will begin twice-daily flights between Salt Lake City and Flagstaff on June 7, 2027. United’s return means Flagstaff could go from having just one commercial airline today to three by next summer.
United Is Bringing Back Its Denver-Flagstaff Route Days After Delta’s Announcement
United plans to resume nonstop service between Denver and Flagstaff on August 10, 2027, with two flights in each direction per day. Denver International Airport already lists Flagstaff among its upcoming nonstop destinations, with service beginning on that date.
United also confirmed the new service directly to TheTravel, saying the route will operate twice daily and year-round. Tickets are already on sale through United’s website and mobile app.
Travel expert Zach Griff spotted the flights over the weekend, noting on X that United had “quietly filed” its return to Flagstaff only days after Delta revealed its own plans for the airport. Griff wrote:
“Well, would you look at that. Guess which other airline just quietly filed Flagstaff flights over the weekend. @United.”
The new schedule will give northern Arizona travelers another major connecting hub. United operates a large network from Denver, providing connections to destinations throughout the U.S. and internationally.
United’s Returning Flagstaff Service
|
Route |
Start Date |
Frequency |
Previous Service Ended |
|
Denver (DEN) to Flagstaff (FLG) |
August 10, 2027 |
Twice daily |
October 2022 |
A search of the inaugural date showed both United flights available for booking at $274 one-way. Airfares can change quickly, so travelers may find different prices depending on when they search.
Meanwhile, although United’s decision to return to Flagstaff comes only days after Delta said it will serve the city, Delta actually gets a head start on United. Delta’s Salt Lake City-Flagstaff service begins June 7, more than two months before United’s Denver flights return on August 10.
United Left Flagstaff In 2022 Despite Strong Demand
United’s return is particularly interesting because the airline already knows the Flagstaff market. The carrier previously flew nonstop between Denver and Flagstaff before suspending the route on October 30, 2022.
The decision wasn’t necessarily a sign that travelers weren’t interested. Flagstaff Pulliam Airport said at the time that United’s flights were operating at approximately 90% load capacity. Airport officials instead pointed to problems affecting the airline industry, including staffing and aircraft shortages and rising fuel costs.
United’s departure left American Airlines as Flagstaff’s only commercial carrier, with service to Phoenix and Dallas/Fort Worth. The airport continued trying to attract additional service, and those efforts eventually included a $1.3 million campaign aimed at securing a route to either Salt Lake City or Denver. That effort may now be paying off twice. Delta is preparing to connect Flagstaff with Salt Lake City, and United is returning to Denver.
Travelers reacting to United’s return on X were quick to notice the timing. One commenter pointed out that United is giving Delta much of the summer before beginning its flights.
“United giving Delta most of the summer traffic by starting it that late in the season.”
Delta will have about two months to establish its new Flagstaff service before United returns. By August, the competition at the small airport could look very different than it does today.
Flagstaff Could Go From One Airline To Three
Flagstaff Pulliam Airport currently has just one commercial airline, American Airlines. If the new Delta and United flights launch as planned, travelers could have three airlines and four nonstop hub connections by August 2027.
Potential Flagstaff Connections By August 2027
- American Airlines: Phoenix (PHX)
- American Airlines: Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW)
- Delta Air Lines: Salt Lake City (SLC), beginning June 7, 2027
- United Airlines: Denver (DEN), beginning August 10, 2027
The added competition could be particularly important for a destination that draws millions of visitors to northern Arizona. Flagstaff itself is known for outdoor recreation, winter sports, and stargazing, but the airport also provides convenient access to Sedona and the Grand Canyon.
Some of the reaction to United’s return highlighted uses beyond traditional sightseeing. One X user called Flagstaff a “sneaky good winter sports location,” while another pointed to the number of professional runners who travel between Boulder and Flagstaff for training.
Delta has also made its expectations for the market clear. The airline previously told TheTravel that it expects “strong demand” for its new Flagstaff service and sees the route as a way to connect northern Arizona with nearly 100 destinations through Salt Lake City.
United’s decision to return adds another layer of competition. Instead of relying solely on American Airlines, Flagstaff travelers could soon have access to three major U.S. airlines and connections through Phoenix, Dallas/Fort Worth, Salt Lake City, and Denver.
United left Flagstaff in 2022 during a difficult period for regional air service, despite the airport reporting strong loads on its flights. Nearly five years later, it’s preparing to come back just as Delta enters the market.
Delta will get there first with twice-daily Salt Lake City service beginning June 7. United’s twice-daily Denver flights are set to follow on August 10. If both airlines follow through with their planned schedules, the real winner could be Flagstaff, which will go from one commercial airline to three and gain two additional connecting hubs in a matter of months.
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