United adds capacity at Blue Grass Airport as Flights To Chicago increase
United Airlines is expanding service at Lexington’s Blue Grass Airport by upgauging its Lexington–Denver flight to an Airbus A319 with 126 seats and increasing flights to Chicago, moves that will boost local options for travelers. The changes include more flights to Chicago during peak summer periods and begin May 21; flights to chicago are already on sale.
Upgauge to A319 adds more than 50 seats per day
Blue Grass Airport said United will replace its current equipment on the popular daily Lexington–Denver service with an Airbus A319 configured with 126 seats. The airport framed that change as adding more than 50 additional seats per day and said United will begin operating the larger aircraft on May 21. The airport noted the upgrade is intended to give more Kentuckians the opportunity to travel to Denver and to other destinations in the western U. S., Canada or beyond.
Flights To Chicago expand at Blue Grass Airport
United plans to raise Lexington–O’Hare to as many as seven daily flights this summer during peak travel periods, the airport said, improving connection options into its Midwest hub. The change starts May 21, targets peak summer demand, and flights to chicago are available for purchase now on United's website and in the United mobile app.
What the airline and airport say
Eric Frankl, president and CEO of Blue Grass Airport, said the move provides passengers with “more choices, greater convenience and improved access to destinations across the world. ” He added that the larger aircraft and additional Chicago flight are a win for both current passengers and the long-term future of air service in the region, and that when travelers choose to fly locally it supports airlines like United in adding more flights and opportunities.
Network and market implications, and investor watch points
Commentary in market coverage noted the upgauge and extra Chicago frequency point to firm U. S. summer demand and stronger hub connectivity. More flights to Chicago from Lexington should support higher load factors and connection revenue into United’s network, and the airport said the changes will help channel regional demand into longer‑haul services. Seasonal demand peaks in June–August, and investors will watch United’s April results on 14 April 2026 at 21: 00 UTC for commentary on Midwest feed, pricing, and capacity discipline.
Analysts also flagged execution risks. United’s current ratio is 0. 65 and interest coverage is 3. 86. A financial snapshot provided in coverage lists a share price of US$110. 05, PE 11. 08, EPS 10. 2, market cap US$36, 592, 105, 123 and EV/EBITDA 8. 89. Debt‑to‑equity stood at 2. 39, operating cash flow per share at 25. 78 and free cash flow per share at 7. 82, with a year high of 119. 21 and low of 52. 00. Street sentiment was noted as 29 Buy, 4 Hold and no Sells. Technical indicators referenced included RSI 52. 5, ADX 19. 7, MACD positive (0. 89 vs 0. 66), Bollinger middle band near 109. 98 with an upper band at 118. 86, ATR 5. 38, 50‑day average 110. 84 and 200‑day average 96. 09.
Local scale and ticketing
The Blue Grass Airport serves more than 1. 6 million passengers annually and has a total economic output exceeding $709 million. Tickets for the upgraded Denver service and the expanded Chicago schedule are on sale now in the airline’s mobile app and on United's website.
Editor’s note: Connor Smith's brother is an employee at United Airlines, but was not consulted or contacted regarding this story (Feb. 17, 2026).
The changes take effect May 21, and the next major corporate disclosure referenced is United’s April results on 14 April 2026 at 21: 00 UTC; travelers and investors can use those dates to track schedule rollouts and network commentary.
