United Airlines is bringing its mainline jet service back to the Eugene Airport. As of Thursday the larger capacity planes will fly to and from San Francisco.

United will fly airbus A320s and A319s between Eugene and SFO 3 times a day. The larger aircraft hold up to 160 passengers. Smaller, regional jets can seat 50 to 70.

The larger jets have higher priority at SFO than smaller planes, so there will likely be fewer weather delays. Assistant Airport Director Cathryn Stevens says the return of larger planes illustrates United’s confidence in the Eugene airport as a reliable market.

Stevens: “What we’re finding is more people are flying. More people are using their local airport. And what that in turn does is it spurs more service. So that’s what we’re seeing is a response from United, bringing in this larger aircraft type. “

Eugene airport is on track to have a 6th consecutive record passenger year. Stevens says the airport will be at capacity during the Olympic Track and Field trials in July.

