United Airlines Launches Nonstop Service Between Fresno Yosemite International Airport and Chicago

FRESNO, CA (June 7, 2018) – United Airlines this evening is launching daily nonstop air service between Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD).  The major route will provide seasonal and seamless air access from California’s Central Valley to the Midwest and convenient connections to the East Coast and beyond.

Ranked as the third largest city in the United States, Chicago serves as headquarters to several Fortune 500 companies and a variety of tourism attractions. United’s commitment to provide nonstop service between Fresno Yosemite International Airport and Chicago O’Hare International Airport creates the opportunity for bridging the Central Valley and the Midwest while fulfilling a highly desired route for today’s business and leisure travelers.

Chicago O’Hare International Airport consistently ranks as one of Fresno Yosemite International Airport’s Top 10 Markets where travelers are flying and has been a priority destination of Fresno Yosemite International Airport’s continuous air service development efforts.

“Fresno Yosemite International Airport is pleased with United’s responsiveness and commitment to add destinations greatly sought by California’s Central Valley travelers,” said Director of Aviation Kevin Meikle.  “The addition of nonstop service between Fresno and Chicago is timely with our region’s high growth rate and will support the population’s increased demand for air travel.”

“United’s newest flight between Fresno and Chicago offers our Central Valley customers more opportunities to conveniently connect to nearly 60 destinations in the U.S. and Canada,” said Ankit Gupta, United’s vice president of Domestic Network Planning. “We are excited to begin serving Fresno and connecting customers to California’s beautiful Central Valley.”

Nonstop air service to a prominent destination such as Chicago increases Fresno’s visibility as an attractive and progressive city with diverse service to major air transportation hubs.  United’s expanded investment in the Fresno market is anticipated to further enhance economic benefits for the Central Valley generated by air service activities.

United will operate the Chicago route using the Embraer E175 jet with a schedule ideal to accommodate a one-day business trip or a multiple days stay.

Summary of new service between FAT and ORD:

City Pair	Departs	Arrives	Frequency	Aircraft
Fresno – Chicago O’Hare	11:00 p.m.	5:00 a.m.	Daily	E175
Chicago O’Hare – Fresno	7:45 p.m.	10:19 p.m.	Daily	E175

Flight times are based on local times.

United Airlines’ presence at Fresno Yosemite International Airport continues to grow.  In addition to today’s launch of Chicago service, the airline currently provides daily non-stop flights between Fresno and Denver, Los Angeles and San Francisco.  In August, the airline introduced a 737 aircraft to operate its early morning departure to San Francisco and continues to transition to larger two class series aircraft such as the E175 as well as increased frequencies to Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Fresno Yosemite International Airport currently offers Valley passengers daily non-stop flights to Dallas, Denver, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Portland, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, and Guadalajara and Morelia, Mexico on domestic and international carriers.  Fresno Yosemite International Airport is a municipally owned entity operating as a self-supporting enterprise. No City of Fresno general funds are used to operate Fresno Yosemite International Airport or Fresno Chandler Executive Airport.

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