Ketchum, ID – United Airlines has added a new non-stop summer flight to Sun Valley from Denver, providing a convenient way for not only Coloradans to visit the fabled Idaho ski resort in the off-season, but also guests from across the U.S. via connections through Denver International Airport. And partners are working to expand the service to the ski season, too.

United Airlines will offer the new seasonal summer service between its Denver (DEN) hub and Sun Valley (SUN) from July 2 through September 23, 2014. The United Express flights will be operated by SkyWest Airlines using CRJ 700 regional jet aircraft with 70 seats; six in United First, and 64 in United Economy, including 16 extra-legroom Economy Plus seats.

The announcement was made on Monday by Fly Sun Valley Alliance, Friedman Memorial Airport Authority and the Sun Valley Resort, who worked in partnership to secure this new service, which will improve connectivity between Sun Valley and major markets. The new United Airlines route will be supported by a U.S. Department of Transportation Small Communities Air Service Development Program Grant which was awarded to Friedman Memorial Airport this past fall. In follow-up to securing the summer service, the partners are also working collectively on adding winter service with United for the Denver-Sun Valley route, and hope to confirm a contract by late spring for next winter’s season.

“This new nonstop route to Sun Valley will allow additional connectivity to eastern U.S. cities and other destinations in United’s global route network,” said Vic Kerckhoff, United’s director of leisure sales. “We are pleased to be expanding our service to the Sun Valley market and look forward to a long-term successful partnership with this important destination.”

The flight schedule has been structured to take full advantage of connections from major markets by departing Denver at 7:15 p.m., arriving in Sun Valley at 9:03 p.m. Return flights will leave Sun Valley at 7:30 a.m., arriving in Denver at 9:11 a.m.

The new summer flight will run daily from July 2 – August 25 and five times per week from August 26 – Sept 23 and represents 5,500 additional seats into Sun Valley for the 2014 summer season.

“We are extremely excited about this additional new United Airlines nonstop service to Denver,” said Eric Seder, Board President of Fly Sun Valley Alliance, an organization engaged in strategic air service development efforts for the Sun Valley area. “Our community has shown its support for improving air service and we are getting results.”

Ron Fairfax, Chairman of the Friedman Memorial Airport noted, “This is one more very positive step in the ongoing public/private partnership work underway to improve air service to Sun Valley for the benefit of our visitors, our businesses and our local residents. The airport is proud to be a part of this collective effort.”