United Airlines marks new Denver gates with more long-haul seats
United Airlines is upgrading its long-haul flights from Denver to mark a deal to expand the hub with new gates that can accommodate a record 700, or more, flights.
The Star Alliance carrier will shift its nonstop flights between Denver (DEN) and Frankfurt (FRA), London Heathrow (LHR) and Tokyo Narita (NRT) to Boeing 787-9 jets this summer, United said Friday. The mid-size Dreamliner that seats for 252 passengers replaces smaller 787-8s with 219 seats on all three routes.
The upgrades come as United and the city of Denver mark the signing of a new agreement that expands the airline's footprint at the airport to 90 gates by 2022.
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"These additional gates will take the starring role Denver plays in our growth strategy to a new level," said United CEO Oscar Munoz in a statement. "It will mean more seats, more connections and more destinations as Denver continues to extend the global reach of its businesses and communities."
United is Denver's largest airline carrying nearly 45% of the 63.2 million travelers that passed through the airport during the first 11 months of 2019, airport data shows. The airport's second and third largest, Southwest Airlines and hometown Frontier Airlines, had a 27% and 12% passenger share, respectively.
All three carriers grew in Denver in 2019 and plan to continue to do so this year, though by how much will be limited by outside factors like when the Boeing 737 MAX returns to service.
Related: United Airlines plans largest-ever Denver hub
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On Friday, Munoz joined Denver Mayor Michael Hancock and airport officials to sign the new gate agreement. United will take control of 24 gates on Concourses A and B -- 23 on A, including 12 that are under construction, and one being built on B -- for a total of 90 gates at the airport.
The airline plans to grow significantly in Denver, where it established a hub in 1982, with the added gates. Departures are forecast to exceed 700 flights a day by 2025, nearly a third more than the 540 scheduled departures this summer.
The Mile High City expansion comes as United plans to grow system capacity by 4-6% year-over-year in 2020.
Related: How United Airlines’ Denver hub got to 700 flights
Denver is in the middle of a $1.5 billion concourse expansion program that will add 12 gates to Concourse A, one on B — 11 are being built but they replace former regional gates — and 16 on C. How the remaining new gates will be divided among airlines remains to be seen.
Southwest has requested the 16 gates being built on Concourse C, a request that TPG understands will be met with details unveiled in the coming weeks.
Frontier has not indicated its gate plans in Denver. The airline added a ninth gate to its portfolio last year.
In addition to the gates, Denver's expansion works include a redesigned terminal Great Hall, and new outdoor patios on all three concourses.
Denver, the fifth busiest airport in the U.S., was forecast to handle a record nearly 70 million passengers in 2019.
Related: Denver Airport 101: The ultimate guide to DEN
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
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Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
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You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
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Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.