Why doesn't UA use OAK (anymore)?
Apr 17, 2026 | 4:59 pm
#1
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Why doesn't UA use OAK (anymore)?
https://www.flightaware.com/live/fli...855Z/KORD/KOAK is the last one I see.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Apr 20, 2026 at 3:09 pm Reason: Created a separate disccusion thread
Apr 17, 2026 | 5:41 pm
#2
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Even the charters and diversions there dried up after 2024.
https://www.flightaware.com/live/fli...855Z/KORD/KOAK is the last one I see.
https://www.flightaware.com/live/fli...855Z/KORD/KOAK is the last one I see.
Apr 17, 2026 | 8:29 pm
#3
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Apr 18, 2026 | 3:29 am
#4
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FAA bans parallel approaches at SFO indefinitely -- Impact on UA?
If flight volume out of SFO is substantially limited, is there a possibility UA would resume service out of OAK for origin and destination (O&D) traffic?
If flight volume out of SFO is substantially limited, is there a possibility UA would resume service out of OAK for origin and destination (O&D) traffic?
Last edited by SPN Lifer; Apr 20, 2026 at 3:44 pm
Apr 18, 2026 | 3:54 am
#5
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Nobody who lives along the Peninsula or Marin wants to fly in and out of OAK.
I wonder what percentage of East Bay and Contra Costa residents would fly out of OAK instead of SFO.
Hell a lot of people who live near SJC probably are flying out of SFO than SJC except for maybe short regional direct flights.
I wonder what percentage of East Bay and Contra Costa residents would fly out of OAK instead of SFO.
Hell a lot of people who live near SJC probably are flying out of SFO than SJC except for maybe short regional direct flights.
Apr 18, 2026 | 11:15 am
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So UA is not going to reopen it OAK operations (there is just not the O/D demand for that). It may consider increase SJC (as the SF Bay area population center moves further south).
And to the further East, SMF can be an option for some.
There was talk years ago of using Hamilton Field in the North Bay but local resistance (Marin Country) killed that.
Last edited by WineCountryUA; Apr 18, 2026 at 11:25 am Reason: Hamilton Field / SMF
Apr 18, 2026 | 11:47 am
#7
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For one UA already has an operation there (albeit small) and right now nothing in OAK.
Secondly San Mateo + Santa Clara + San Francisco counties have roughly 3.5M residents, whereas Alameda + Contra Costa is roughly 2.8M. And add the further outlying counties like Marin, Sonoma, and Santa Cruz and SFO+SJC are more desirable for a larger chunk of Bay Area than OAK would be.
Apr 18, 2026 | 1:00 pm
#8
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Sure, but primarily because there aren't flights out of OAK or SJC (speaking as someone who never actually lived closest to SFO of the Bay Area airports).
Apr 18, 2026 | 2:29 pm
#9
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I usually do 2-4 trips a year from OAK (all on WN now, but previously on AS as well); otherwise its mostly UA from SFO.
Apr 18, 2026 | 4:00 pm
#10
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Nobody who lives along the Peninsula or Marin wants to fly in and out of OAK.
I wonder what percentage of East Bay and Contra Costa residents would fly out of OAK instead of SFO.
Hell a lot of people who live near SJC probably are flying out of SFO than SJC except for maybe short regional direct flights.
I wonder what percentage of East Bay and Contra Costa residents would fly out of OAK instead of SFO.
Hell a lot of people who live near SJC probably are flying out of SFO than SJC except for maybe short regional direct flights.
Edit: I specify geographically because despite the distance being equal, it takes quite a bit longer to get to OAK because of traffic patterns. OAK has the best parking situation of the 3 airports though, so still desireable.
Apr 19, 2026 | 2:01 am
#11
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Apr 19, 2026 | 10:25 am
#12
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Apr 19, 2026 | 9:17 pm
#13
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As for bringing back OAK service, does anyone know how the traffic flows work for O&D there? UA would need a number of daily flights to bring a station back. OAK is dominated by WN which is a double edged sword, the airport benefits from a lot of short haul, low priced flights but is less attractive to the larger network carriers as a result. For the longer flights it seems most are OK making the hike to SFO.
Apr 20, 2026 | 10:23 am
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I would think if there is a need to shift/add capacity, SJC would be a better fit.
For one UA already has an operation there (albeit small) and right now nothing in OAK.
Secondly San Mateo + Santa Clara + San Francisco counties have roughly 3.5M residents, whereas Alameda + Contra Costa is roughly 2.8M. And add the further outlying counties like Marin, Sonoma, and Santa Cruz and SFO+SJC are more desirable for a larger chunk of Bay Area than OAK would be.
For one UA already has an operation there (albeit small) and right now nothing in OAK.
Secondly San Mateo + Santa Clara + San Francisco counties have roughly 3.5M residents, whereas Alameda + Contra Costa is roughly 2.8M. And add the further outlying counties like Marin, Sonoma, and Santa Cruz and SFO+SJC are more desirable for a larger chunk of Bay Area than OAK would be.
Apr 20, 2026 | 10:57 am
#15
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There are a variety of reasons OAK has struggled recently, but it is the most centrally-located and most convenient airport for the largest population in the area. The airport notes this in every press release. Corporate demand is higher on peninsula and south bay, but population is not.
Given how 880/580 is always jammed up, not sure how you could say it is convenient for Easy Bay residents, let alone for those on the peninsula. And population wise, there are more people living in SF/Peninsula (SF, SM, SC counties).