Denver Air Connection updates Dubuque–Chicago O’Hare flights for earlier travel

Key Takeaways

• Denver Air Connection starts new Dubuque-Chicago flights at 7:00 AM and 5:00 PM on May 16, 2025.
• Base fares drop to $69 one-way to boost passenger numbers and support Dubuque air service.
• Over 200 same-day connecting flights available at Chicago O’Hare via United and American Airlines.

Travelers flying out of Dubuque Regional Airport are about to see a big change. Starting May 16, 2025, Denver Air Connection will shift its daily Dubuque–Chicago O’Hare flights to a new schedule: a 7:00 AM departure from Dubuque and a 5:00 PM return from Chicago O’Hare. This move comes after months of low passenger numbers and feedback from the community, especially business travelers who wanted more flexible options. The change is designed to make flying from Dubuque easier, more convenient, and better connected to the rest of the country and beyond.

Why the Schedule Change Matters

The new flight times are not just about convenience—they’re about keeping commercial air service alive in Dubuque. Denver Air Connection is currently the only airline serving Dubuque Regional Airport. After American Airlines left in 2022, Dubuque lost all commercial flights for over two years. When Denver Air Connection started flying to Chicago O’Hare in November 2024, it was a lifeline for the airport and the community.

But the afternoon-only schedule just wasn’t working. Many seats were empty, and travelers said the timing didn’t fit their needs. By moving to a morning departure and evening return, the airline hopes to attract more passengers, especially those who want to spend a full day in Chicago or connect to other flights.

What’s Changing: The New Schedule

Here’s what travelers need to know about the new daily flight times, starting May 16, 2025:

• Dubuque (DBQ) to Chicago O’Hare (ORD):
  Departs at 7:00 AM, arrives at 7:55 AM
• Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to Dubuque (DBQ):
  Departs at 5:00 PM, arrives at 5:55 PM

This schedule gives travelers a full day in Chicago, whether for business or leisure. It also opens up over 200 same-day connections at O’Hare through United and American Airlines, thanks to Denver Air Connection’s interline agreements. That means you can check your bags in Dubuque and pick them up at your final destination, without having to recheck them or go through security again at O’Hare.

Lower Fares to Boost Demand

To encourage more people to fly, base fares have been reduced to $69 one-way on the Dubuque–Chicago route. This is a significant drop and is meant to make flying from Dubuque more attractive than driving to other airports. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, lower fares combined with better flight times could help the airport keep its only commercial service and maybe even expand in the future.

How the Change Affects Travelers

If you already have a ticket for a flight on or after May 15, 2025, you’ll be contacted by Denver Air Connection or your booking agent. They’ll help you adjust your travel plans to fit the new schedule. If you have questions, you can call Denver Air Connection’s customer service at 866-373-8513.

Booking tickets is simple. You can buy directly from Denver Air Connection, or through United, American, or your favorite online travel agency. The interline agreements mean your bags and tickets are handled together, making connections at O’Hare much smoother.

Step-by-Step: What to Do If You’re Affected

1. Wait for Notification: The airline or your booking agent will reach out if your flight is affected.
2. Adjust Your Itinerary: You’ll be given options to rebook or change your travel plans.
3. Contact Customer Service: For help, call Denver Air Connection at 866-373-8513.
4. Book New Flights: Use Denver Air Connection, United, American, or any major online travel site.

The Numbers: Passenger Trends and Airport Activity

The schedule change is a direct response to low passenger numbers. In November 2024, only 434 people boarded flights at Dubuque Regional Airport. By December, that number rose to 580, a 34% increase as more people learned about the new service. Still, these numbers are far below the airport’s peak years:

• 2008: 42,870 enplanements
• 2009: 39,359 enplanements
• 2010: 33,861 enplanements

For 2025, the airport expects to have 89 based aircraft and 54,403 total operations (including all types of flights, not just commercial).

What Local Leaders Are Saying

Local officials are strongly behind the new schedule. Brad Cavanagh, Dubuque’s Mayor and Chair of the Airport Board, said,

“A daily morning departure is great news for tri-state area travelers, especially business travelers. We’re grateful to Denver Air for offering this service and we continue to work with them on the possibility of a direct connection to Denver.”

Todd Dalsing, the Airport Director, added,

“A schedule with a morning departure and evening return was always our goal—and was reinforced by the feedback we received from our customers. The schedule change will allow passengers more time in Chicago. For those connecting beyond O’Hare, this new schedule offers even more same-day connections to hundreds of destinations.”

Denver Air Connection has not made a separate public statement but is working closely with the airport and passengers to make the transition as smooth as possible.

Why This Matters for Dubuque and the Region

The new schedule is about more than just flight times. It’s about keeping Dubuque connected to the rest of the country and supporting the local economy. Business travelers can now fly to Chicago in the morning, spend a full day in meetings, and return home the same evening. Leisure travelers have more flexibility for day trips or longer stays.

The airport’s ability to keep and grow commercial service depends on people using it. If more travelers choose to fly from Dubuque instead of driving to other airports, it increases the chances of keeping Denver Air Connection and possibly adding more routes in the future.

For the Business Community

Business leaders have welcomed the change. The morning flight allows for productive day trips to Chicago and better access to national and international markets. This is especially important for companies that need to send employees to meetings or conferences and want to avoid overnight stays.

For Leisure Travelers

Families and tourists also benefit. The new schedule makes it easier to plan same-day trips or connect to flights going almost anywhere in the world. With over 200 same-day connections at O’Hare, travelers can reach destinations across the United States 🇺🇸 and beyond without long layovers.

For the Airport and Community

The airport’s future as a commercial hub depends on local support. Officials urge residents to “fly local” to keep the service going. If passenger numbers rise, there’s a better chance of adding new routes, like the much-requested direct flight to Denver.

Background: How We Got Here

Dubuque Regional Airport has seen big changes over the past few years. Before 2022, American Airlines provided regular service, but passenger numbers were slowly dropping. In 2022, American Airlines pulled out, leaving Dubuque without any commercial flights for more than two years.

In November 2024, Denver Air Connection stepped in, restoring daily service to Chicago O’Hare. This was a major win for the airport and the community. However, the initial afternoon-only schedule didn’t fit most travelers’ needs, leading to low passenger numbers.

After listening to feedback from travelers and local businesses, the airport and airline worked together to create a schedule that better serves the community. The new morning/evening schedule is the result.

Looking Ahead: What’s Next for Dubuque Regional Airport?

Possible Direct Flights to Denver

Many in the community have asked for a direct flight to Denver. Airport officials and Denver Air Connection are discussing this possibility, but there’s no timeline yet. For now, the focus is on making the Chicago O’Hare route as successful as possible.

Keeping Service Alive

The future of commercial flights in Dubuque depends on people using the service. If passenger numbers stay low, there’s a risk of losing the only airline serving the airport. That’s why officials are encouraging everyone in the region to consider flying from Dubuque whenever possible.

Industry Challenges

Small regional airports across the United States 🇺🇸 face tough challenges. Pilot shortages, airline mergers, and changing travel habits all make it harder to keep flights going. Dubuque has done better than many similar airports in bringing back service after the pandemic, but the fight isn’t over.

How to Book and Get More Information

Booking a flight is easy. You can:

• Go to the Dubuque Regional Airport website for information and links to book
• Call Denver Air Connection customer service at 866-373-8513
• Book through United, American, or any major online travel agency

For official government information about air travel, including passenger rights and airport security, visit the U.S. Department of Transportation website.

If you need to contact the airport for media or public information, reach out to Randy Gehl, City of Dubuque Public Information Officer, at 563-589-4151 or rgehl@cityofdubuque.org.

Summary Table: Dubuque Regional Airport Commercial Service (May 2025)

What This Means for Immigration and International Travelers

For immigrants, international students, and anyone needing to travel beyond Chicago, the new schedule is a big improvement. The early morning flight means you can catch connecting flights to other cities in the United States 🇺🇸 or abroad on the same day. The interline agreements with United and American Airlines make it easy to check your bags all the way to your final destination, which is especially helpful if you’re traveling with family or lots of luggage.

If you’re coming to Dubuque for work, school, or to visit family, this schedule makes it much easier to plan your trip. You can arrive in the morning, get settled, and have the whole day ahead of you. For those leaving Dubuque, you can spend a full day in Chicago or connect to flights leaving later in the day.

Community Support Is Key

The message from airport officials is clear: the future of commercial air service in Dubuque depends on the community. If more people choose to fly from Dubuque Regional Airport, it increases the chances of keeping and even expanding service. This is important not just for convenience, but for the local economy and the region’s connection to the rest of the country and the world.

Final Thoughts and Next Steps

The shift to a morning/evening schedule at Dubuque Regional Airport is a direct response to what travelers and the community have asked for. It’s a chance to make flying from Dubuque easier, more affordable, and better connected. But the success of this change depends on people using the service.

If you’re planning a trip, consider flying from Dubuque. The fares are lower, the schedule is more convenient, and you’ll be helping to keep commercial air service alive in your community. For more details, visit the Dubuque Regional Airport website or contact Denver Air Connection directly.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, the new schedule is a strategic move to boost passenger numbers and keep Dubuque connected. The future looks brighter, but it will take continued support from the community to make sure commercial flights remain a part of Dubuque’s future.

Key Takeaway:
The new morning and evening flight schedule at Dubuque Regional Airport, operated by Denver Air Connection, is designed to better serve travelers, boost passenger numbers, and secure the future of commercial air service in the region. The community’s support will be the deciding factor in whether this service continues and grows.

Learn Today

Denver Air Connection → A regional airline providing daily flights between Dubuque and Chicago O’Hare airports.
Dubuque Regional Airport → A small regional airport in Iowa serving commercial and general aviation flights.
Interline Agreements → Partnerships between airlines that allow shared baggage handling and smoother passenger connections.
Enplanements → The number of passengers boarding an aircraft at an airport during a specific period.
Same-day Connections → Flight options enabling passengers to connect to other flights within the same day at a hub airport.

This Article in a Nutshell

Starting May 16, 2025, Denver Air Connection changes Dubuque-Chicago flights to 7:00 AM departure and 5:00 PM return for better convenience and connections, with fares lowered to $69 one-way. This schedule aims to revive passenger numbers and keep Dubuque Regional Airport’s only commercial air service viable.
— By VisaVerge.com