Ontario officials welcomed news that United Airlines will launch daily service to Houston in June, making the Texas hub the 21st destination reached nonstop from Ontario International Airport.
United Airlines will begin service between Ontario and George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) on June 6, 2019, with one round-trip per day departing Houston at 9:30 p.m. (central time) followed by a red-eye departure from Ontario at 11:59 p.m. (pacific time). The route will be operated with Embraer E-175 aircraft operated by United Express. The aircraft will be configured with 76 seats including 12 in first class, 16 in economy plus and 48 in economy.
United last served Houston from Ontario in June 2016 and currently offers service between Ontario and San Francisco and Denver from its Terminal 2 location at ONT.
Texas hub is 21st nonstop destination from Ontario
"Our plan to develop Ontario into an attractive aviation gateway and economic engine for the region includes helping our existing airline partners expand their businesses with new routes that appeal to our customers," said Mark Thorpe, chief executive officer for the Ontario International Airport Authority (OIAA).
"United's service to its Texas hub enables customers to reach a major U.S. market by nonstop service while also offering a convenient connection point to destinations around the world. United's announcement is welcome news for business and leisure travelers in the greater Los Angeles area."
United is the fifth airline in recent months to begin or announce new flights at ONT.
With passenger volumes consistently rising by double-digits on a year-over-year basis, ONT is the fastest-growing airport in the United States, according to Global Traveler, a publication geared to frequent fliers. The airport is on pace to welcome 5 million passengers this year, the greatest number of passengers since 2008.
