A new chapter is taking off for the Lynchburg region. Beginning in 2026, travelers will be able to fly directly from Lynchburg Regional Airport (LYH) to two additional major U.S. hubs, expanding access for businesses, visitors, and residents alike. This milestone strengthens the city’s position as a connected, forward-moving community ready for continued growth.
What’s Driving the Change
Beginning March 24, 2026, United Express (operated by SkyWest Airlines) will launch service seven days a week, connecting Lynchburg to Chicago O’Hare (ORD) and Washington Dulles (IAD). That provides roughly 100 additional seats per day out of the region, enhancing travel options for business, institutional and personal travel alike.
This marks the first time since 2011 that Lynchburg will have a second network carrier, a huge win for our community.
The flights will use 50-seat CRJ200 regional jets. Departures from LYH will head to each of the two hubs, offering “one‐stop” connections to more than 200 destinations worldwide.
Why It Matters
For the business community
- Companies headquartered in Lynchburg or with regional operations now gain easier access to major hubs for client/investor travel, logistics and meetings.
- Seamless connections to Chicago and D.C. enlarge the “reachable market” — critical when competing for talent, vendors, or partners.
- Enhancing air connectivity signals that Lynchburg is serious about growth, positioning the region more sharply as a business location of choice.
For anchor institutions
- Universities, healthcare systems and large employers (our “anchor institutions”) can market this improved connectivity when recruiting faculty, specialists or partners.
- Visitors, donors, conference attendees — their travel becomes easier, which can elevate event attendance and collaboration outreach.
- Improved access also supports inbound institutional investment (e.g., research, technology transfer) by reducing the “friction” of travel.
For our workforce and talent ecosystem
- Local professionals gain better travel options for work and leisure; reduced travel time helps retention and attraction of talent.
- Easier outbound access opens up the region to visiting friends/family, making Lynchburg a more connected home base.
- Prospective relocators see that critical infrastructure (like air travel) is modern and robust — a signal that Lynchburg is connected to national and global networks, not just a hidden gem.
As Marjette Upshur, Director of Economic Development & Tourism for the City of Lynchburg, put it:
“When you can hop on a jet right here at home and be in D.C or Chicago a couple of hours later, that’s a game-changer. It means more opportunities for our businesses, more visitors discovering our city, and it shows that Lynchburg is on the map in a big way.”
What This Means For Lynchburg’s Future
- Infrastructure & Growth: This service addition is more than a new route — it’s a statement of ambition by the City of Lynchburg and its partners that the region is evolving, globally connected, ready to scale.
- Talent Attraction: Modern professionals expect connectivity. The new service helps Lynchburg compete for young skilled workers who might have previously overlooked the region due to travel limitations.
- Visitor Economy & Tourism: Being “on the map” matters. Easier air access helps bring in conferences, conventions, cultural events, and leisure visitors — all of which contribute to downtown vibrancy and economic multiplier effects.
- Institutional Magnetism: When universities and health systems highlight regional connectivity as part of their value proposition, it helps recruitment, partnerships and investment planning.
- Business Location Advantage: For companies selecting sites, air connectivity often ranks high. Lynchburg now adds a key check mark in “transportation infrastructure” and “market access” boxes.
Our city has long been defined by innovation, collaboration, and a spirit of possibility — and now, with stronger connections to national hubs, that foundation only grows stronger. This expansion is proof that Lynchburg’s future is already in motion: built on solid ground, ready to reach new heights.