From Major Hubs to Hidden Gems

In the fast-paced world of business aviation, time and flexibility often outweigh luxury. My latest trip as a business traveler led me to board a Denver Air Connection (DAC) flight from Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) to Muskegon County Airport (MKG) in Michigan — a route that may not feature in glossy brochures but stands as a lifeline for regional connectivity.

Denver Air Connection, a subsidiary of Key Lime Air, has carved out a unique position within the Essential Air Service (EAS) network. Operating with a fleet of Embraer 145s, Fairchild Metroliners, and Dornier 328Jets, the airline serves underserved markets that larger carriers tend to bypass. Their niche? Bringing scheduled jet service to smaller communities while delivering big-airline professionalism.

The EMB145 I flew was a clean, well-maintained 50-seat regional jet with an all-economy layout—yet perfectly suited for a short-haul flight of just under an hour. As a business traveler, what mattered most wasn’t lie-flat seats or gourmet meals — it was schedule reliability, operational efficiency, and access to places that would otherwise require long, indirect journeys. Denver Air Connection delivered on all three.

Boarding at Chicago O’Hare’s Terminal 3 was smooth and surprisingly quick for a major hub. The gate area had a boutique feel — far from the bustle of international widebody flights yet managed with the precision and safety of a legacy operation. Denver Air Connection utilizes United Airlines’ codeshare infrastructure and TSA-compliant security screening, which adds to passenger confidence.

They have a wide range of snacks for PAX to get before boarding, since the flight duration was only 28 minutes. They are included with your ticket so there is no need for additional payments.

Chek-in is simple and done through their website. The boarding pass is sent to your email and there are no problems with the QR code to be scanned at the airport entrances or at the gate for final boarding.

The Regional Jet Advantage

Upon boarding the EMB145, it was clear that this aircraft was built for functional regional travel. The 1-2 seating configuration provides a good balance between personal space and cabin density. For solo travelers like me, the single-seat row on the left-hand side of the aircraft is a hidden gem — offering privacy without the middle seat dilemma. Seat selection is free, so no seats are assigned to each PAX at the check-in moment.

Despite its size, the aircraft offered powerful climb performance and smooth handling in turbulent Midwestern skies. Within minutes of takeoff, we were cruising comfortably over Lake Michigan, with the kind of clear views that make flying feel magical again. The flight crew was professional, upbeat, and attentive — no frills, but focused on safety and on-time performance.

Landing at Muskegon (MKG) was like stepping into another aviation world. The small regional airport offers fast deplaning, immediate baggage claim, and a genuine hometown welcome. For a business trip that required immediate ground mobility and minimal transit time, this airport pairing with DAC made the difference between a 6-hour road journey and a less than an hour hop.

For aviation enthusiasts, Denver Air Connection is an airline to watch. Operating under both Part 121 and Part 135, they’ve mastered the balance between scheduled service and operational agility. They’re one of only a handful of smaller carriers in the U.S. providing commercial jet service to EAS-designated markets, helping to keep regional America connected to global business centers.

By: Santiago Echeverri