Transportation

United adds flights to Chicago, Milwaukee ahead of conventions

United Airlines will increase the number of flights to Chicago and Milwaukee as both the Democratic National Convention and the Republican National Convention draw near, it announced Tuesday.

The airline said it would boost flight options so it’s easier for “convention attendees and political enthusiasts” to travel.

United said it’s raising flight capacity by more than 75 percent, or 72 flights, for the Republican National Committee’s (RNC) convention.

It also added a new nonstop flight between Milwaukee and Washington, D.C., and new flights from other major hubs like Denver, New York and Chicago.

The airline said it would fly its largest schedule since 2019 into Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport and is bumping up its flights between Washington and Chicago by 40 percent for the Democratic National Committee’s (DNC) convention.

The RNC convention starts July 15 in Milwaukee.

Former President Trump is expected to be named as the official 2024 GOP nominee for president at the convention and said he would announce his running mate while there.

The New York judge overseeing Trump’s criminal hush money trial set his sentencing date for July 11, just days before he makes his Milwaukee appearance.

The DNC’s convention begins Aug. 19 in Chicago.

President Biden is set to secure the Democratic Party’s official presidential nomination, along with Vice President Harris.

“These conventions are steeped in tradition and have now evolved to become a weeklong celebration of our political process,” said Patrick Quayle, United’s Senior Vice President of Global Network Planning and Alliances, in a statement. “We’re proud to give people even more options to visit two great cities, and participate in these historic events and make their voices heard.”