United Airlines announced Friday it’s reintroducing daily nonstop service between Pittsburgh International Airport and Los Angeles International Airport, with flights starting March 29.
United — which last flew a direct connection between the airports in 2014 — will become the third airline offering this route.
Breeze Airways has done so for several years. The carrier expanded service to five from two times a week in 2023, reflecting high demand for this cross-country connection.
American Airlines brought back its flight between the two airports in April after an eight-year hiatus.
Another flight connecting the Pittsburgh area to the West Coast’s largest city will allow more collaboration in the tech, entertainment and aerospace industries, according to Matt Smith, chief growth officer at the Allegheny Conference on Community Development and vice chair of the Allegheny County Airport Authority.
Airport officials also expect travelers heading abroad to benefit from the new United flight.
“Los Angeles is an important destination for both business and leisure passengers as well as a connecting point for flights to Asia and Australia,” said Bryan Dietz, senior vice president of air service and commercial development at Pittsburgh International Airport. “This flight gives our market more options to the West Coast and beyond.”
United’s announcement adds to a recent string of wins for the airport.
In November, its $1.7 billion new terminal opened with minimal hiccups and a generally positive reception.
The following month, Aer Lingus revealed it’s adding nonstop service between Pittsburgh International Airport and Dublin Airport, making it the 16th carrier servicing the Pittsburgh market. The first flight will depart on Memorial Day.
Nearly 10 million travelers passed through Pittsburgh International Airport last year — the second highest total since 2006, when the facility still had significant hub traffic.