New UA Bus Service from DEN to Fort Collins and Breckenridge
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#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: New York, NY
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Posts: 8,644
New UA Bus Service from DEN to Fort Collins and Breckenridge
United is partnering with a bus company to offer branded coach connections to/from DEN and downtown Breckenridge or Fort Collins airport (FNL).
Bus departures from DEN will be airside from A78 with baggage transfer, assigned seats and PQP-earning. The bus journey will be a segment in the PNR and cannot be purchased separately. Service to DEN will drop off landside for normal security and baggage check.
https://www.united.com/en-us/landline
Interesting concept and familiar to many of us, who have either used the ABE bus or United Groundlink in past lives...
Breck (QKB) starts 3/11 and FNL 4/1, and United claims it’s bookable now, but I can’t get the app or website to recognize my QKB entry.
Bus departures from DEN will be airside from A78 with baggage transfer, assigned seats and PQP-earning. The bus journey will be a segment in the PNR and cannot be purchased separately. Service to DEN will drop off landside for normal security and baggage check.
https://www.united.com/en-us/landline
Interesting concept and familiar to many of us, who have either used the ABE bus or United Groundlink in past lives...
Breck (QKB) starts 3/11 and FNL 4/1, and United claims it’s bookable now, but I can’t get the app or website to recognize my QKB entry.
#3
Join Date: Aug 2017
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#4
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2005
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Looks like QKB and FNL are now active city codes for United's various applications, but only Breckenridge is currently bookable. Schedule appears to be one bus "flight" a day to start: 11:15am - 2:00pm DEN-QKB; 2:25pm - 4:55pm QKB-DEN. Most economy fares (including X) are loaded, with normal connect times on the DEN-QKB leg, and about 60-90 (scheduled) minutes for connections at DEN on the return from QKB.
Reportedly, boarding passes will be issued and bags will be checked at QKB, handled through to United at DEN, and the release says they are "working on" remote security screening, but that possibility seems more remote.
It's certainly something I would try.
Reportedly, boarding passes will be issued and bags will be checked at QKB, handled through to United at DEN, and the release says they are "working on" remote security screening, but that possibility seems more remote.
It's certainly something I would try.
#5
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: DEN
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Posts: 3,700
I'm not surprised that they are starting once a day, but that can be self-defeating. It looks like the QKB-DEN is aimed at the late bank of flights from DEN, which can be problematic for eastbound flights (not everyone wants to get home from vacation at midnight). I could see a morning QKB-DEN being added as the first expansion. Given traffic on I-70 on Friday and Sunday afternoons, it will be interesting to see if they have issues with this in the first couple weeks. The demand will likely take a nosedive starting in mid-April due to mud season.
#6
Join Date: Apr 2004
Location: Perched high above Denver, CO
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Posts: 4,227
This is pretty useful! I used to fly FNL-DEN early in my consulting days (1994-1996). They discontinued the flights for various reasons. It sure was nice to be able to park right outside the terminal for free, then for $2/day later on.
Looks like they have multiple buses per day in each direction.
Looks like they have multiple buses per day in each direction.
#7
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Colorado
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Posts: 4,434
This is pretty useful! I used to fly FNL-DEN early in my consulting days (1994-1996). They discontinued the flights for various reasons. It sure was nice to be able to park right outside the terminal for free, then for $2/day later on.
Looks like they have multiple buses per day in each direction.
Looks like they have multiple buses per day in each direction.
No so sure about Breck though...
#8
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: TPA
Programs: National Exec, United Plat, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 386
Seems like a smart and shrewd move. There are a bunch of companies that serve the front range skiers in busses but having it integrated with the airline for IRROPS and ticketing is a good move. While being able to go from the bus bypassing baggage claim is a boon, being able to pre-clear security will be the game changer.
#10
Join Date: Feb 2005
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Seems like a smart and shrewd move. There are a bunch of companies that serve the front range skiers in busses but having it integrated with the airline for IRROPS and ticketing is a good move. While being able to go from the bus bypassing baggage claim is a boon, being able to pre-clear security will be the game changer.
You’ll check in for your shuttle and your flight at the same time, and we’ll load your bags on board for you. We’ll board back to front and give you a sanitizing wipe. When you arrive in Denver, we’ll unload your bags so you can check them, go through security and hop on your flight to your final destination.
Seats are automatically assigned after you check in, but if you’d like to change your seat, you can speak with a customer service representative and they’ll try to help you out.
I know what they meant, but am I the only one interpreting "try to help you out" as a CSR shrugging with a "I dunnaknow bout this bus thing. I work with planes"

#11
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: TPA
Programs: National Exec, United Plat, Bonvoy Gold
Posts: 386
RE: The pre-screening, it is not an advertised benefit but it sounds like they are working on it: https://thepointsguy.com/news/united...ection-denver/
Landline is working on adding remote security screening at its outstations so that you can arrive in Denver already pre-screened and ready to make your connecting flight.
#12
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Looks like QKB and FNL are now active city codes for United's various applications, but only Breckenridge is currently bookable. Schedule appears to be one bus "flight" a day to start: 11:15am - 2:00pm DEN-QKB; 2:25pm - 4:55pm QKB-DEN. Most economy fares (including X) are loaded, with normal connect times on the DEN-QKB leg, and about 60-90 (scheduled) minutes for connections at DEN on the return from QKB.
Reportedly, boarding passes will be issued and bags will be checked at QKB, handled through to United at DEN, and the release says they are "working on" remote security screening, but that possibility seems more remote.
It's certainly something I would try.
Reportedly, boarding passes will be issued and bags will be checked at QKB, handled through to United at DEN, and the release says they are "working on" remote security screening, but that possibility seems more remote.
It's certainly something I would try.
People might not like the advanced screening if PreCheck, CLEAR, and elite lines aren't offered.