United Airlines is launching two new routes. The airline will provide passengers direct access to Breckenridge Ski Resort, in addition to Fort Collins. However, rather than offering flights, these routes will be operated by bus.
Airlines are continually launching new routes. Last week, we saw United Airlines announced its intentions to fly from Boston to London, challenging the airlines already on the route. However, typically if a route launch includes a bus, it’s an Airbus. In this case, United has gone for a different approach, replacing the Airbus with a literal coach!
United’s new Denver coach service
United Airlines today revealed that it would start operating buses to Breconridge and Fort Collins. The two services will operate year-round from the Colorado hub, increasing connectivity for the airline’s passengers. The Breckenridge service will launch in two weeks on March 11th. It will depart Denver International Airport at 11:15, arriving in Breconridge between 13:35 and 14:00. The return service will leave the ski resort between 13:55 and 14:25 depending on the day, aiming to reach the airport by 16:45.
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Passengers will have to wait slightly longer for the Fort Collins service to commence. This route will operate from Denver four times per day starting on April 1st. The bus will follow the following timetable,
| Fort Collins Departure | Denver Arrival | Denver Departure | Fort Collins Arrival |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:30 | 08:45 | 09:45 | 11:00 |
| 09:10 | 10:25 | 13:25 | 14:40 |
| 11:20 | 12:35 | 18:00 | 19:15 |
| 17:15 | 18:30 | 19:25 | 20:40 |
The bus service will serve as a feeder for United Airlines’ services. The airline will be Fort Collins’ first global network carrier service in 25 years. Meanwhile, it is the first time that Breckenridge has ever had an airline service. The airline is working with Landline, who is providing the coaches.
Commenting on the new routes, Ankit Gupta, United’s vice president of Domestic Network Planning and Scheduling, said,
“United’s new service from Denver to Breckenridge and Fort Collins is just one example of how we are identifying opportunities to innovate our route network to get people where they want to go with ease and convenience. Our customers tell us that national parks and ski destinations are important to them and we are proud to partner with Landline to offer a unique, seamless way to help them get there.”
How do the busses work?
You may think that connecting onto a bus at the airport is a hassle. Sometimes it isn’t easy to find the right bus or even the correct bus stop. However, United Airlines has this covered. The airline’s new bus service will depart from an airside bus gate at Denver Airport, meaning that passengers can join the service right from the plane without leaving the secure area. The airline will transport bags straight from the plane to the bus.
However, in the other direction, things become slightly more cumbersome for passengers once more. As it’s not possible to have the bus screened by TSA before departure, those going to Denver airport will need to complete such formalities upon arrival at the airport.
What do you make of United’s new bus service? Let us know what you think and why in the comments!
