Come spring 2019, you can fly from Fresno to this major Midwest destination
Chicago will again be a destination for United Airlines flights from Fresno next spring and summer, renewing a seasonal connection that ran for several months earlier this year.
The service will start March 31, about eight weeks earlier than it did this year, and continue through Labor Day on Sept. 2. The airline and Fresno Yosemite International Airport announced that rather than contracting with Utah-based SkyWest Airlines as it does for many of its Fresno flights under the United Express name, United will start the daily round trips using its own mainline aircraft.
United also plans to upgrade the aircraft used for the flights, at least for the first month of the service. Instead of the the 76-seat Embraer E175 twin-engine jets SkyWest used this year, United will launch the service with a 128-seat Airbus A319 for the flights between Fresno Yosemite International Airport and Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport.
The combination of the earlier start to the flights and larger aircraft will mean more available seats to and from Chicago for Fresno passengers.
Kevin Meikle, director of aviation for the city of Fresno, said the expanded service is a recognition by United of strong support for the Chicago flights in the Fresno region. “The return of United’s service between Fresno and Chicago is a reflection of Central Valley travelers supporting the seasonal route and advocating for its return,” Meikle said.
United’s schedule indicates the daily departure from Fresno will take off at 11:20 p.m. and arrive in Chicago at 5:20 a.m.; the return leg leaves Chicago at 7:38 p.m. and arrives in Fresno 10:20 p.m.
Chicago is a major hub for United, and at a distance of 1,700 miles from Fresno will be the easternmost nonstop destination from Fresno Yosemite International for five months of the year.
United also serves Fresno with flights to and from San Francisco, Los Angeles and Denver.
This story was originally published November 14, 2018 at 12:24 PM.