Key Takeaways
• United Airlines resumes daily non-stop Denver–Regina flights starting May 16, 2025 with Bombardier CRJ200 regional jets.
• Saskatchewan government supports the route with a $3.5 million, three-year revenue guarantee to ensure its success.
• Direct flights streamline travel for business, tourism, immigrants, and students, enhancing U.S.–Canada connectivity and economic ties.
United Airlines is making big news by returning to the Canadian market with a new daily flight between Denver and Regina. This service, operated by SkyWest Airlines under the United Express brand, begins in May 2025. The new route has drawn attention not just from travelers but also from business leaders, government officials, and people in both countries who recognize the importance and benefits of this renewed air link.
What’s Happening and When?
Starting May 16, 2025, United Airlines will offer a daily non-stop service connecting Denver International Airport and Regina International Airport. The route uses a Bombardier CRJ200 regional jet, which has 50 seats. SkyWest Airlines—using the United Express label—will manage the flights. Tickets for these flights have been available since December 19, 2024. You can book them directly through United’s official website, United.com.
These are the planned schedules for the flights:
– UA5028: Regina to Denver, leaves at 09:45 AM and arrives at 12:03 PM.
– UA5026: Denver to Regina, leaves at 07:00 PM and arrives at 09:34 PM.
This means if you are in Regina, you can reach Denver before lunchtime, and if you are in Denver, you can fly out in the evening and arrive in Regina before bedtime. This schedule is designed to make business and leisure travel easier for everyone.
Why Is This Route Important?
The return of United Airlines to this route is meaningful for several key reasons, especially for people living in Saskatchewan, local businesses, and travelers in the broader region.
Easy Reach to a Major U.S. Hub
Denver International Airport ranks as the third busiest in the United States and the sixth busiest in the world. That gives people flying from Regina direct access to United’s huge network within North America and beyond. Connecting through Denver opens possibilities to fly almost anywhere in the United States or to international destinations. For those in Saskatchewan cities, having one-stop global access is a game-changer compared to routes that might require two or more connections.
Boost for the Economy and Business
Local businesses and investors have long wanted better links to the United States. For nearly a decade, there was no direct service between Regina and Denver. Companies often had to pick slower, more expensive routes, making it harder to grow partnerships or attend meetings quickly. With this new flight, Saskatchewan becomes easier for investors and business partners to visit. Likewise, local people and companies in Regina and surrounding areas now have a faster pathway to reach U.S. markets or connect internationally. As reported by VisaVerge.com, better airline links often lead to stronger business growth and encourage more investment in both directions.
New Hope for Tourism
For people who want to visit Saskatchewan, maybe to see its beautiful outdoor spaces or attend special events, this route makes travel much easier. American travelers, in particular, will find it simpler to reach Regina without having to transfer through other long and sometimes complex Canadian routes. Local residents in Saskatchewan can also look forward to seeing Colorado’s attractions—like major sports teams, ski resorts in the Rocky Mountains, and cultural festivals—with a single direct flight.
How Did the Route Come Back?
It took teamwork from many groups to bring this route back. United Airlines and SkyWest worked closely with the provincial government of Saskatchewan to restart this service. The government provided a $3.5 million revenue guarantee spread out over three years. This financial support helped reduce the risks for the airlines. Local business leaders also played a big role, pushing for renewed air links to help the economy and give people more travel choices.
The Bigger Picture: Why Now?
The pandemic hurt international travel. Many routes were closed, and airlines had to stop flights that were once popular. But with travel picking up again, airlines are watching demand and seeing where people want to go. The return of the Denver-Regina route signals that more people want cross-border travel, both for work and fun.
For years, people in Regina wanting to reach the U.S. often had to go through other cities, like Toronto Pearson. These indirect routes can be longer, more costly, and more stressful. Now, daily direct flights are back, bringing convenience and saving time for both business travelers and tourists.
United Airlines’ Growing Canadian Connections
The return to Regina is not a one-off for United Airlines. The carrier is expanding its Canadian connections in other places too. In summer 2025, United plans to bring back flights between Edmonton and both Chicago and Houston. They have also added or resumed service on routes linking Montreal to San Francisco and Winnipeg to both Denver and Chicago. This larger push demonstrates United’s long-term interest in connecting American and Canadian cities, meeting the rising demand for travel between the two countries.
Practical Details for Travelers
Anyone interested in using the new United Airlines service between Denver and Regina can already plan their trips for after May 16, 2025. Booking a flight is simple—tickets are available on United Airlines’ official website and the process is the same as booking any other United or United Express route.
The aircraft on this route, the Bombardier CRJ200, is a smaller regional jet. It has seating for 50 passengers, making it suitable for routes where demand is steady but not as high as on larger city pairs. Flying non-stop on this jet is likely to be faster than alternative options involving connections or layovers.
It’s also important for travelers to make sure they have valid travel documents for cross-border movement. Travelers from Canada 🇨🇦 going to the United States 🇺🇸 will need to meet entry requirements, which usually include having a valid passport. If you’re a U.S. citizen, visiting Regina in Canada 🇨🇦 requires a valid passport as well. For more on travel documentation and requirements, visit the official U.S. Customs and Border Protection travel page.
Support from the Business Community and Government
The return of United Airlines to Regina has not happened by accident. Provincial and local business communities have been asking for more direct transborder connections for years. Many economic studies show that direct air service between cities leads to a rise in outside investment, helps local companies grow, and improves connections for people working in industries like agriculture, energy, and technology. The Saskatchewan government worked with the airlines and offered support to make the route possible because they believe it will boost local job creation and support businesses of all sizes.
What Does This Mean for Immigrants and International Travelers?
People moving between Canada 🇨🇦 and the United States 🇺🇸 for work, school, or family reasons often face tough travel options. Direct flights take away a lot of stress. For new immigrants in Saskatchewan who need to travel for consular appointments, attend business meetings, or see family in Colorado or nearby, this new route is a huge improvement.
Plus, students coming to Saskatchewan’s colleges and universities from the United States, or Canadians going south for study, will now find it easier to plan their trips. That can make study abroad or exchange programs simpler to arrange, helping education institutions on both sides attract more students.
Families who are split between the two countries can also benefit. Grandparents, parents, and children who wish to visit each other will have a smoother, more direct way to do so, bringing families closer together and supporting long-term immigration choices.
Impacts on Tourism, Local Communities, and the Wider Region
The flight will likely help area tourism and businesses that depend on visitors. Attractions in Saskatchewan, from its natural parks to city festivals, will draw new travelers. Local hotels, shops, restaurants, and event venues will see more guests from Colorado and other U.S. states who now can reach Regina in one hop.
Meanwhile, Colorado stands to gain as well. Outdoor fans from Saskatchewan who want to ski, hike, or see a Denver Broncos football game will find it easier than ever to visit. The flight connects two regions with a lot to offer each other’s residents, helping people experience different cultures, foods, and landscapes.
Communities outside Regina, across southern Saskatchewan, will also benefit. Travelers from Moose Jaw, Swift Current, and even further afield may find Regina an easier starting point for U.S. and international trips. Businesses looking for ways to export their goods or reach new partners in the United States 🇺🇸 will have new options.
Looking Ahead: Will This Route Grow?
Airline routes are like living things; they grow when people use them. The support provided by Saskatchewan’s government is for three years, enough time to show whether enough people want to fly this route. If it’s popular, there’s potential to expand the service, increase frequency, or even use bigger aircraft in the future.
Looking at past patterns, new flights often lead to more choices over time. Other airlines may take notice if they see demand growing for connections between Saskatchewan and major U.S. hubs. This could lead to more competition, lower fares, and added benefits for travelers.
Different Views and Challenges
Not everyone agrees on public financial support for airline routes. Some people worry that governments should use money for other local needs, not airlines. But supporters argue that the benefits—like job growth and business investments—are worth the risk.
Others point out that, with changing travel habits since the pandemic, airlines must be flexible and ready to adjust if passenger numbers change. If demand drops, or if world events again upset travel, there’s a risk the route could face cuts in the future. But for now, strong community and business backing shows there is hope that the route will do well.
Summary and Next Steps
To recap, the return of United Airlines flights between Denver and Regina after nearly a decade gives both cities and regions new travel and business possibilities. The daily service, starting from May 16, 2025, is more than just a new flight—it’s a link that brings economic, social, and tourism benefits to people in both Canada 🇨🇦 and the United States 🇺🇸.
Travelers can already book their seats online, and those interested in immigration, business, or just seeing new places have good reason to look at this route. Businesspeople can expect smoother journeys and new markets. Families and friends will find visits more straightforward. Tourists will have a new, simple connection between prairie and mountain scenes.
If you’re considering a trip, or want to learn more, United Airlines lists up-to-date flight schedules and requirements on their official website.
The success of this route could open doors for even more direct connections in the future, strengthening relationships, driving investment, and giving people in both countries more travel choices. The new Denver–Regina route is a step in bringing North American communities closer together—one non-stop flight at a time.
Learn Today
Bombardier CRJ200 → A 50-seat Canadian-built regional jet, often used for short-haul routes like the new Denver–Regina service.
Revenue Guarantee → A financial promise, here $3.5 million over three years, to reduce risk and ensure airline route viability.
United Express → A brand under United Airlines for regional flights, operated on this route by SkyWest Airlines.
eTA → Electronic Travel Authorization required for visa-exempt travelers flying to Canada, separate from a visa or passport.
Layover → A stop at an intermediate airport on a flight journey, usually requiring a wait and sometimes plane changes.
This Article in a Nutshell
United Airlines reintroduces daily direct flights between Denver and Regina, starting May 16, 2025. Operated by SkyWest under United Express, this route improves travel options for business, family, and tourism. Supported financially by Saskatchewan’s government, this service amplifies economic, cultural, and regional connections between the U.S. and Canada for years ahead.
— By VisaVerge.com
Read more:
• United Airlines restores daily Denver–Regina flights after 10 years
• United Airlines marks 88 years at Denver International Airport
• Denver Sues Trump Administration Over FEMA Migrant Funds
• Denver International Airport flights lose air traffic control contact after radio transmitter failure
• Denver International Airport hit by communications outage affecting flights
