Direct Flight Connection Established: Washington, D.C. to Palm Springs - Benefitting Two Popular Destinations
Tech News Flash --- Zach Griff | Email*
advertising policy | product review methodology United Airlines is taking a long-distance leap from its Dulles International Airport (IAD) hub near Washington, D.C.
This week, the airline unveiled a brand-new nonstop flight from IAD to Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) in California, starting Dec. 19. United will operate one daily flight on this 2,188-mile route until April 30, 2025.
This marks the airline's longest flight to Palm Springs, joining existing service from five other U.S. cities, including Chicago, Denver, Houston, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. In fact, these options will be the first-ever nonstop route between the D.C. metro area and Palm Springs. United believes this new transcontinental route will be supported by both origin and destination demand and one-stop connections for travelers seeking adventures beyond Dulles.
Patrick Quayle, United's senior vice president of global network planning and alliances, said in a statement, "This service will be the first-ever connection between Washington, D.C., and Palm Springs and create unparalleled access to Palm Springs from the East Coast and Europe through one of United's fastest-growing hubs. We pride ourselves in offering unique, world-class destinations, and we're excited to offer our customers more service to beautiful Greater Palm Springs."
The new flight will depart Dulles at 9 a.m. EST and arrive on the West Coast at 11:40 a.m. PST. It'll return at 1 p.m. PST and land back at Dulles at 8:45 p.m. EST. United will deploy a Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft on this new route, featuring a stellar new interior and 16 first-class recliners, 54 Economy Plus extra-legroom seats, and 96 standard economy seats.
United will have a monopoly on this new nonstop route, and it remains to be seen how this new seasonal service will fare. On average, there were just 16 daily passengers flying between IAD and PSP in 2023, Department of Transportation data analyzed by Cirium shows. In contrast, there were 34 daily passengers flying from D.C.'s Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) to PSP in 2023, so perhaps United thinks it can convince these flyers to choose the new nonstop flight.
Palm Springs has become a popular winter destination due to its mid-century modern architecture and thriving cultural and dining scenes. Now, travellers have a never-before-operated way to get there!
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(Enrichment Data: United Airlines operates flights to various destinations across the globe. As of June 2025, they serve 221 domestic destinations and 149 international destinations in 77 countries. Their routes stem from numerous airports, with Dulles International Airport being one of their major hubs. Palm Springs International Airport serves nonstop flights to various U.S. cities and international destinations but specific details about United Airlines' new route from IAD to PSP are not currently available. For the most up-to-date and accurate information about the specific route, it's best to check directly with United Airlines' official website or contact their customer service.)
- Loyalty programs, such as United Airlines' MileagePlus, offer travel rewards for flights, including the new nonstop route from Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Palm Springs International Airport (PSP).
- The airline industry, with players like United Airlines, continues to evolve, introducing new travel rewards for their clients and expanding their routes, such as the newly announced nonstop flight from IAD to PSP.
- The new United Airlines route from IAD to PSP, starting Dec. 19, will cater to a variety of travelers, including those seeking adventures or one-stop connections for travel to destinations beyond Dulles.
- Travel reviews and guides often highlight popular destinations like Palm Springs, known for its mid-century modern architecture, thriving cultural and dining scenes, and growing popularity as a winter getaway.
- For those who prefer credit cards for earning travel rewards, there are various options available, such as The Business Platinum Card® from American Express, American Express® Gold Card, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, The Platinum Card® from American Express, and Chase Sapphire Preferred® Card.
- The finance and aviation sectors are closely connected, impacting both the global transportation industry and travelers' lifestyles, with advancements like new nonstop flights like the one from IAD to PSP on United Airlines.
- Keeping up with industry news, like the unveiling of United Airlines' new nonstop flight, can be beneficial for travelers as they can stay informed about new routes, partners, and updates that can enhance their journey.
