United Airlines will extend its nonstop summer service in 2026 by adding an extra month of daily flights between George Bush Intercontinental Airport and Durango-La Plata County Airport, according to a news release from the city.
Direct flights between Durango and Houston will begin running daily from May 21 through Aug. 17, the release said.
“We are excited to see United Airlines continue to grow its presence at DRO with expanded daily nonstop seasonal service to Houston next summer,” said Aviation Director Tony Vicari in the release.
Strong demand exists between the Four Corners and Southeast Texas, he said, and United Airlines is responding to travelers’ requests for additional nonstop destinations to and from Durango during peak summer travel months.
“The expansion of this route to cover all core summer months in 2026 will provide United’s passengers with more connection options and higher overall seat capacity during the busy summer travel period,” Vicari said.
Direct flights between the two cities ran only on weekends in 2023 and 2024, then expanded to daily service in 2025 – but only between from June to mid-August.
The route will be flown using a 76-seat Embraer E-175 aircraft, according to the release.
The nonstop Houston route is one of several major airport paths served by DRO. Others include Denver, Phoenix and Dallas-Fort Worth. The added service will provide expanded access to both domestic and international connections, the release said.
DRO, which serves as a primary travel hub for Southwest Colorado, northwest New Mexico and the Four Corners, supported 50,000 passengers in the 2024 year, according to the release.
The expansion will benefit the Durango economy as well as make travel smoother for passengers, said Durango Prosperity Officer Mike French.
“Expanding Houston travel in any capacity is an economic lift for our community,” French said in the release. “It benefits local business travel and visitors as a gateway to the international market for us. Airline expansion is critical to create resiliency with diversity into other markets.”
epond@durangoherald.com
