United Airlines Will Launch a New Route to Alaska and Resume Another

Updated: June 15, 2026, 9:17am CDT

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United Increases Alaska Service From 2 Hubs
Final Thoughts

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United Airlines has shared that it will be increasing service to Alaska from its hubs in the continental United States. The addition comes in the form of an entirely new route, as well as the resumption of a suspended route.

Here’s what you should know about this upcoming service!

United Increases Alaska Service From 2 Hubs

As reported by Simple Flying, United will begin flying nonstop flights between its hub in Washington, D.C. (IAD) and Anchorage, Alaska (ANC), as of May 23, 2024. The flight will operate daily on a seasonal basis, with flights coming to an end on September 2, 2024.

United 737 MAX8 — Both of these routes will be operated by the Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. Image Credit: United Airlines

The flights will operate according to the following schedule:

Depart Washington, D.C. (IAD) 5:44 p.m. — Arrive Anchorage (ANC) 9:28 p.m.
Depart Anchorage (ANC) 8:05 p.m. — Arrive Washington, D.C. (IAD) 7:07 a.m. (+1)

Flights will be operated with the carrier’s Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft which feature 166 seats, and United will be the only carrier operating the route.

United also serves Anchorage year-round from Denver (DEN), and seasonally from Chicago-O’Hare (ORD), Houston (IAH), Newark (EWR), and San Francisco (SFO).

The airline has also decided to resume flights from its Denver hub to Fairbanks, Alaska (FAI) on a seasonal basis. The daily service will commence on May 22, 2024, and will operate until September 9, 2024, according to the following schedule:

Depart Denver (DEN) 7:03 p.m. — Arrive Fairbanks (FAI) 10:54 p.m.
Depart Fairbanks (FAI) 11:44 p.m. — Arrive Denver (DEN) 7:06 a.m. (+1)

Like the Dulles-Anchorage route, this one will also be operated by Boeing 737 MAX 8 jets.

United originally launched this route in 2012, and it operated on and off until the pandemic caused it to be suspended. United won’t face any competition on this route, though low-cost carrier Frontier has operated it in the past.

The flights are now available to book on united.com.

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Final Thoughts

United has been an industry leader in restoring and growing its network in the aftermath of the pandemic, and the expansions to Alaska represent a continuation of that trend.

Beginning in May, United will fly between Washington, D.C., and Anchorage for the first time. Additionally, United will resume service to Fairbanks from Denver. This is great news for United flyers seeking new opportunities to explore the beauty and vastness of the 49th state.