Airline Completes First Phase of Training Expansion

United and CAE have completed the first phase of an expansion at United's Flight Training Center in Denver, adding 40 new CAE training devices, a mix of full-motion and fixed simulators, since 2022.

The facility now spans eight buildings and nearly 700,000 square feet, with 86 total CAE training devices: 52 full-motion flight simulators and 34 fixed training devices. United can now train up to 860 pilots per day.

With nearly 18,000 pilots and continued growth, United already has plans to add to the training facility. Phase two of the expansion is expected to break ground next year and be operational before 2030.

Located on 22 acres in Denver's Central Park neighborhood, the facility is United's sole training site for its nearly 18,000 active pilots and all newly hired pilots. All United pilots complete intensive simulator training during initial qualification and every nine months thereafter to maintain their certifications. The center can conduct more than 32,000 training events annually and operates 24 hours a day, 362 days a year.

United's Flight Training Center was originally constructed between 1966-68 as part of the Stapleton Airport complex and has served as United's main pilot training facility since then. Since 2016, United has invested $370 million in the Flight Training Center overall.