United Airlines Adding Fifth Daily Duluth to Chicago Flight Starting March 29

United Airlines will add a fifth daily nonstop flight between Duluth International Airport and Chicago O'Hare beginning March 29, the Duluth Airport Authority announced Monday, bringing a new early-morning departure option that the airport's top official called "a strong vote of confidence" in the regional market.

The new frequency, reported by KQDS-TV as a 5:00 a.m. departure from Duluth, expands United's DLH-ORD service to five daily nonstops. Delta Air Lines separately operates six daily nonstop flights from Duluth to Minneapolis-St. Paul, giving the airport eleven daily departures across its two primary hub connections.

"The additional capacity provided by this added frequency from United Airlines is a strong vote of confidence in our market and the passengers who rely on Duluth International Airport," said Tom Werner, Executive Director of the Duluth Airport Authority. "It gives our travelers an additional early morning departure from DLH that allows for single day business trips to Chicago as well as expanded access to a wide variety of domestic and international itineraries."

Natalie Baker, the DAA's Director of Communications and Marketing, emphasized the broader connectivity benefit. "It'll be really great for our passengers and for the community more broadly," Baker said. "As far as just connectivity goes when you're able to get to those well-connected destinations like Minneapolis through Delta, or like Chicago through United, it just gives more of those options for where they can go."

The DAA framed the expansion as a direct response to passenger demand, and Werner used the announcement to reinforce a familiar airport message about local flying habits. "Airlines make decisions based on passenger demand," he said. "If we want to continue seeing more flights and better connectivity, it's important for travelers in our region to book flights from DLH whenever possible."

The March 29 start date falls within United's spring schedule. The DAA release noted that continued growth in air service depends on community support, with travelers who choose to fly from Duluth demonstrating the demand that airlines weigh when deciding whether to maintain or expand service.