SAN FRANCISCO- Chicago-based United Airlines (UA) announced plans to increase flight operations at San Francisco International Airport (SFO) by 20 percent in 2025, advancing its strategy to reestablish SFO as a global gateway.
The airline now operates at 6 percent higher capacity from SFO compared to pre-pandemic levels and 20 percent above last year’s operations.
Photo: Clément AlloingUnited San Francisco Flight Ops
United currently serves 111 destinations worldwide from San Francisco and will operate approximately 300 daily flights this summer, marking the highest number since 2019 and exceeding all other airlines in the Bay Area.
The carrier has expanded its network with 11 new international and nine new domestic destinations from SFO over the past four years, including reinstated service to New Orleans, Kansas City, Detroit, and St. Louis, while preparing to launch new routes to San Jose, Costa Rica and Panama City, Panama next month.
“We’re winning more and more Bay Area customers because of our investments in the product, the experience, and the places we fly,” United CEO Scott Kirby stated during an event showcasing several aircraft including a new Boeing 787-9, Airbus A321neo, and an Archer Midnight eVTOL.
Our growth in SFO is a direct result of United’s ambitious network strategy, which has set us apart from the competition and cemented our status as the world’s largest airline.”
United CEO Scott Kirby
A $2.6 billion construction project currently underway at SFO aims to modernize and expand Terminal 3, creating infrastructure to support United’s continued growth.
United ranks among the Bay Area’s largest employers with over 13,000 local team members, having hired more than 1,600 airport operations employees last year and planning to add 1,200 more positions in 2025.
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie endorsed the expansion, stating:
San Francisco’s economy is on the rise, and tourism is critical to our comeback. Our city is a global destination – United’s expansion shows that people want to be here. These new flights will provide jobs for residents and make it easier for visitors to come here so they can experience everything that makes San Francisco the place to be.”
San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie
Photo: Bill Abbott | FlickrSFO’s $2.6 Billion Expansion Project
A comprehensive $2.6 billion construction project at San Francisco International Airport (SFO), scheduled for completion in 2029, will significantly expand Terminal 3 and enhance United Airlines’ operational capabilities. The five-year modernization initiative aims to accommodate the carrier’s continued growth while elevating the customer experience.
The Terminal 3 West Modernization Project will provide United Airlines with access to new common-use gates designed to accommodate larger aircraft for international flights.
The expansion includes new United Club locations, a state-of-the-art lobby, advanced security checkpoints with industry-first features, and a redesigned curbside area. The project adds 200,000 square feet of space, creating room for expanded dining and retail options throughout the terminal.
“For nearly a century, United Airlines has been offering travelers the most flights and destinations out of San Francisco,” said Mike Nakornkhet, SFO Airport Director.
We are excited to launch the Terminal 3 West Modernization, which will set a new benchmark for what United customers can look forward to at SFO. Our goal is to create an extraordinary airport experience for our guests, and we expect this project will continue to reflect the innovation, sustainability, and diversity that make San Francisco such an amazing place.”
Mike Nakornkhet, SFO Airport Director
United Airlines continues to strengthen its workforce in the Bay Area, hiring more than 1,600 new team members in 2024 alone. These positions include flight attendants, pilots, customer service representatives, baggage handlers, and maintenance technicians supporting the airline’s expanding SFO operations.
The carrier plans to hire an additional 1,200 employees in 2025, offering competitive wages and comprehensive benefits packages to attract top talent.
Photo: By © Raimond Spekking / CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons), CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=36767130Technology Innovations
United Airlines continues to expand its technological capabilities in San Francisco and globally, partnering with industry leaders to implement revolutionary innovations that transform the travel experience.
“We’ve been an innovation leader for years, and we’re continuing to up our game,” said United Chief Information Officer Jason Birnbaum. “We’re investing in technology – like our award-winning mobile app and Starlink Wi-Fi – that drives United’s amazing customer experience and puts intuitive tools in the hands of our employees around the world.”
The airline’s recent technological advancements include the imminent launch of Starlink Wi-Fi service next month. This world-leading connectivity solution will provide free internet access to MileagePlus members initially on select United Express flights.
Starlink’s low Earth orbit satellites deliver high-speed, low-latency internet with enhanced reliability over oceans and remote areas, enabling gate-to-gate connectivity on long-haul flights.
United plans to introduce the first commercial electric air taxi service through its partnership with Archer. As one of Archer’s largest investors and first U.S. customer, United will utilize the Midnight aircraft – an all-electric vertical takeoff and landing vehicle capable of carrying a pilot and four passengers on trips ranging from 20 to 50 miles. This initiative aligns with United’s commitment to investing in emerging technologies that enhance travel experiences while reducing carbon emissions.
The airline’s decade-long collaboration with Apple has yielded numerous industry-first innovations. United pioneered the paperless flight deck for pilots using iPad in 2011 and recently integrated Apple’s Share Item location feature with AirTag into the United app.
The carrier has equipped its entire workforce with iPhone and iPad devices, developing custom applications that streamline employee communication, expedite task completion, and improve overall customer service.
United consistently leads the industry in time-saving customer innovations. Travelers can bypass check-in lines and drop bags in under a minute at designated shortcut locations after completing check-in through the mobile app.
The airline provides real-time radar maps via text message to help passengers understand how weather conditions affect flight schedules. Additionally, United automatically presents alternative travel options through its app when disruptions occur.
Featured Image by Clément Alloing | Flickr
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
United Airlines Add 4 New Flights to Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Adelaide and Manila
The post United Airlines to Add 20% More Flights from San Francisco in 2025 appeared first on Aviation A2Z.
