Press Release
Friday August 1, 2025
The Helena Regional Airport Authority and the Helena Air Service Alliance are
excited to announce some upcoming changes to United Airline’s service to Helena.
Beginning on October 26, United Airlines will transition their service in between
Helena and Denver to larger, newer, 76 seat Embraer 175 jets. As part of this
transition to larger aircraft, the daily frequencies will also transition from the three
daily flights per day on 50 seat jets to two flights per day on the larger 76 seat
Embraer 175 jet aircraft. Here are additional benefits from this aircraft size
transition:
Benefits of Transition to Larger Aircraft
- Current seat capacity is maintained and actually increased by 2 seats each
day (50X3 = 150 seats/day, versus 76 X 2 = 152 seats/day). - Much more comfortable cabin seating
- Improved space for carry-on bags
- El 75 Jet has 3 different classes of seats and amenities to choose from
including first class not available on the existing CRJ200 - Free wi-fi/power outlets (existing 50 seat CRJ does not have wi-fi)
- Better performance metrics for hot weather/ heavy loads, extended fuel
range.
Once this aircraft transition has occurred, Helena has officially grown out of the
50-seat jet service era, as Alaska, Delta, and now United will all utilize the newer
76 seat, multi-seat class Embraer 175 Jet. As a result of this aircraft fleet transition
over recent years, Helena will now have 138,700 available seats per year spread
among Alaska, Delta, and United airlines. To put that into perspective, passenger
boardings reached 118,743 in calendar year 2019 which was Helena’s highest
record year to-date. Given the new number of available seats, record boardings are
again likely if passenger load factors remain consistent with what Helena has
experienced in recent years. The graph below illustrates the rebounding growth in
Helena passenger traffic since the pandemic in 2020.
This aircraft transition is a positive step for commercial air service in Helena and
every success that Helena achieves helps support the need for expanded service
into the future. The Helena Air Service Alliance will continue its collaborative
community-based efforts to secure additional air service improvements for Helena
and the Helena Regional Airport Authority will continue to do everything in its
control to provide a modern, safe and efficient airport facility along with a forward
thinking and unique economic business plan to ensure that airlines and all facets of
the aviation industry remain viable in Helena. In September a coalition from
Helena will meet in-person with numerous airlines to explore additional service
improvements as part of the ongoing efforts to improve service to Montana’s
capital city.
For More Information Contact:
Jeff Wadekamper, Airport Director
Helena Regional Airport Authority
406-442-2821
[email protected]
Airport Campus Information: www.helenaairport.com
Helena Air Service Alliance Efforts: www.helenaairservice.com