Q COSTA RICA — The Guanacaste Airport in Liberia (LIR) will offer its first direct flight to Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD). United Airlines will inaugurate the flight on December 17, 2026.
The connection will operate daily until January 4, 2027, during the peak holiday season. Flights will be operated with a Boeing 737 MAX 9.
“We are pleased to announce the arrival of the first direct flight between Guanacaste Airport and Washington, D.C. This service will strengthen air connectivity from our main source market for visitors during the peak season,” stated Marcos Borges, Executive President of the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT).
The ICT’s strategy to attract airlines to Guanacaste also benefits nearby communities by generating employment and fostering economic development.
With this addition, United Airlines will expand its presence at Guanacaste Airport by offering flights from its seven hubs in the United States.
“United is proud to offer the only nonstop service between Washington Dulles and Guanacaste, making it easier for travelers from the U.S. East Coast to access Costa Rica during peak season,” said Tom Kozlowski, United Airlines’ senior manager of Network Planning for Latin America.
“The launch of the first nonstop route between Guanacaste and Washington, D.C., represents a milestone for the destination and reflects the airlines’ confidence in the region’s growth potential,” said Renata González, commercial and communications manager for Guanacaste Airport.