United Airlines Launches New Routes From Chicago and Denver

Updated: January 31, 2025, 10:49am CST

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New United Routes Starting This Spring
How To Book
Final Thoughts

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United Airlines is expanding its service to 3 new cities, including an international destination. According to Ishrion Aviation on X, the airline will begin flights from Chicago (ORD) to Ontario (ONT) in California, Billings (BIL) in Montana, and Halifax (YHZ) in Nova Scotia, Canada, this spring. The airline is also adding a new route from Denver (DEN) to Farmington (FMN) in New Mexico.

Here’s what you need to know.

New United Routes Starting This Spring

United Airlines will start flying from its Chicago (ORD) hub to Ontario, Billings, and Halifax in May. Service to Ontario and Billings will be once daily starting May 22, while Halifax service will operate once per week beginning May 24.

United will fly the Boeing 737-800 between Chicago and Ontario. The 737-800 seats 150 and has a 3-class configuration with first class, economy plus, and economy.

The airline will use the Embraer 175, a jet typically used on shorter routes, for the Billings and Halifax routes. This jet also offers a 3-class configuration.

These new routes will add some competition at ORD. American Airlines already flies seasonally between Chicago and Halifax on the E175 aircraft and currently offers up to 2x daily service to Billings. However, this appears to be the only service between Chicago and Ontario, an airport in Southern California that is often used as an alternate airport to busy Los Angeles (LAX).

Additionally, United is starting flights from Denver (DEN) to Four Corners Regional Airport (FMN) in Farmington, New Mexico, on May 8. SkyWest Airlines will operate the route on the 50-seat CRJ200 jet.

How To Book

Right now, only flights from Chicago to Ontario are available for booking. The cheapest cash prices start at around $220 round-trip in basic economy (the most restrictive) for December 2025.

If you plan to book, make sure to use a card that rewards you for travel purchases, such as The Platinum Card^® from American Express, Chase Sapphire Reserve^®, or the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card. You also can book your flight with one of the best credit cards for United flyers.

Alternatively, you can also use miles to book your flight. If you used United MileagePlus miles, this flight would cost only 13,300 miles each way.

ORD-ONT award pricing from United calendar — Award rates from Chicago to Ontario, California. Image Credit: United.com

If you’re low on United miles, you can top up your balance by opening a new United co-branded credit card, making purchases through the United MileagePlus Shopping portal, or transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards points.

Flights are even cheaper when using Air Canada Aeroplan points, with one-way flights starting at just 12,500 points.

ORD to ONT AC award rate using points — Image Credit: Air Canada

Aeroplan points are incredibly easy to earn, thanks to several transfer partners, including American Express Membership Rewards, Bilt Rewards, Capital One miles, and Chase Ultimate Rewards.

Final Thoughts

United is continuing its expansion across North America, boosting its presence in destinations that should be popular for business and leisure travelers alike. All of these new routes are starting in May 2025.