Ithaca Tompkins International Airport (ITH) will soon offer a third daily flight to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), thanks to funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Small Community Air Service Development Program (SCASD) grant.
The new United Airlines flight, launching in October 2025, expands travel options between Ithaca and the D.C. metro area, offering morning, afternoon, and evening departures. This schedule provides greater flexibility, improved same-day return opportunities, and enhanced access to United’s global network via IAD. The service builds on the successful ITH–IAD route that began in March 2025, further reinforcing ITH’s role as the Finger Lakes region’s primary aviation hub.
The SCASD grant was secured through a regional collaboration involving the Tompkins Chamber, Ithaca Area Economic Development, Ithaca College, Cornell University, and Tompkins County. Leaders emphasized the importance of reliable air service for the region’s economic vitality and accessibility.
Senator Chuck Schumer hailed the new flight as a major benefit for the community. “Reliable and varied air service options are critical to a vibrant community and a healthy economy,” Schumer said. “This new daily flight means more capacity to meet the demands of passengers and support the needs of the business community.”
Roxan Noble, Director of Ithaca Tompkins International Airport, added, “The SCASD grant is a vital tool that allows smaller markets like ours to compete and thrive. Adding a third daily flight gives business and leisure travelers even more options and better access to the global network available through Washington Dulles.”
The additional flight is expected to greatly benefit business travelers, students, and leisure passengers traveling between the Finger Lakes region and the nation’s capital.
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