United Airlines is making a significant push to solidify San Francisco International Airport (SFO) as a key global hub in 2025. With a 20% increase in flying capacity compared to last year and a 6% boost since pre-pandemic levels in 2019, they’re clearly betting big on the Bay Area. The numbers back it up—300 daily flights this summer, 111 destinations worldwide, and a slew of new routes, from San Jose, Costa Rica, to Adelaide, Australia. They’re not just growing; they’re outpacing competitors, especially with unique offerings like being the only U.S. airline flying to Europe from SFO and dominating the Pacific with 4.5 times more seats than anyone else.
The strategy seems to hinge on a mix of ambition and infrastructure. That $2.6 billion Terminal 3 project, set to wrap up by 2029, will give them more gates for bigger planes, new United Clubs, and a slicker passenger experience—perfect timing for their expansion. Plus, with 13,000 local employees and plans to hire 1,200 more next year, they’re embedding themselves deep into the region’s economy. Mayor Lurie’s point about tourism driving San Francisco’s comeback aligns with this; more flights mean more visitors, which means more jobs and buzz.
United’s CEO, Scott Kirby, frames it as a customer win—better product, more destinations, and a network that’s leaving rivals in the dust. The focus on “hidden gem” cities like Belize or Manila, as Patrick Quayle put it, suggests they’re not just chasing the usual suspects but trying to carve out a niche. And with SFO as their fastest-growing hub to Latin America and a powerhouse for Asia-Pacific routes, they’re positioning it as the West Coast’s answer to a global gateway. Whether this pays off long-term depends on execution, but the scale of their commitment is hard to ignore.
