Inaugural flight: United makes first Thunder Bay to Chicago flight

United Airlines daily flights to Chicago appear to be an immediate hit.

On Thursday night the first inbound flight from the Windy City touched down in Thunder Bay. Friday’s return flight south of the border is sold out, as is Saturday’s. Only a few seats remain on Sunday’s trip.

That’s a resounding success, said Thunder Bay International Airports Authority president and CEO Scott McFadden, on hand to greet the passengers and crew of the inaugural flight.

“I think we’ve hit the ground running,” McFadden said, after the Canadair CRJ regional 50-seat jet landed 20 minutes ahead of schedule, it’s passengers met with gifts from the city and airport, not to mention a three-piece band. 

“There are so few communities that have direct U.S. air service. This puts us in a rather elite group in the country. In addition to that, the direct connection to Chicago is (to) a huge market, 12 million people in the greater Chicago are and 54 million people in the Chicago-land area. That represents, I think, a huge economic opportunity for Thunder Bay and the region.”

Tourism manager Paul Pepe said the direct flight to the United States, to the busy O’Hare International Airport is going to be good for the city in many ways.

“It gives us an air corridor, it gives us a tool to market right now. Traditionally Chicago has been a big market for Northwestern Ontario and this is another tool for us to help build that back,” Pepe said.

He added it will be great for local residents heading south, but said not to underestimate the U.S. travel coming back.

“We’ve been in Chicago pretty much every week, for most of the sports shows, most of the fishing, hunting and the outdoor shows over the last two months in the Chicago market, really, really pushing the flight options for people,” he said.

The city is also working with regional tourist operators and encouraging them not only to familiarize themselves with the Chicago to Thunder Bay route, but to recommend and market it to their clientele.

“But it’s not just Chicago. This gives us a hub to all over North America. And when you’re looking at the average upscale, outdoors person, they’re coming from further and further away,” Pepe said.

Sarah Dort, United Airlines general manager in Thunder Bay, said they’re happy to finally be up and running after months of preparation.

“We’re the only U.S. airline to service this market. We’re excited with our inaugural flight coming in tonight. We’re full going out the next few days and we’re happy to be here.”