- United is launching 10 new routes to destinations across the US, Caribbean, and Central America.
- Routes will start in November and December and target popular holiday hotspots like Aspen and Nassau.
- The airline is ramping up its winter schedule with over 3,500 domestic flights planned for December.
United Airlines is launching a slew of new routes this winter, focusing on ski and beach destinations for holiday getaways.
In a move to strengthen its holiday schedule, United is launching 10 new routes across the US, Caribbean, and Central America, targeting popular vacation destinations like Aspen, Orlando, and Nassau. The routes are part of the 3,500 domestic flights the company has planned for December, which United expects to be its busiest month in two years.
According to United, its winter schedule is 91% of the capacity offered in 2019, and winter holiday searches on the airline's mobile app and website are up 16% compared to the same time in 2019.
"We're seeing a lot of pent-up demand in our data and are offering a December schedule that centers on the two things people want most for the holidays: warm sunshine and fresh snow. We know families and friends are eager to reunite this holiday season, which is why we're thrilled to add new flights that will help them connect and celebrate together," said United's vice president of network planning and scheduling Ankit Gupta.
According to travel industry analyst and president of Atmosphere Research Group Henry Harteveldt, United's network expansion is good for travelers because it adds more options and potentially lower prices.
"United's added flights will provide holiday travelers with more options. What we'll need to see is how other airlines respond, which, given the calendar, needs to be soon as people are starting to focus on Thanksgiving and Christmas/New Year travel. More flights mean more seats, and more seats generally translates into lower airfares," Harteveldt told Insider.
Here's a closer look at United's 10 new routes.
Between Santa Ana, California and Aspen, Colorado
United will begin daily nonstop service between Santa Ana in Orange County and Aspen beginning December 16. The route will depart in the afternoon in both directions and be operated by United subsidiary Skywest using a Bombardier CRJ700 aircraft. United will run the service through March 23 and face no competition.
Between Cleveland and Nassau, Bahamas
United will begin Saturday-only nonstop service between Cleveland and Nassau beginning December 18. The outbound flight will depart at 9:05 a.m and land in Nassau at 12:10 p.m., with the return leaving at 1:05 p.m. and arriving in Cleveland at 4:15 p.m. The flight will be operated by United subsidiary Mesa Airlines using an Embraer 175 aircraft. The service is seasonal through March 26 and will have no competitors.
Between Cleveland and Las Vegas
United will begin daily nonstop service between Cleveland and Las Vegas beginning December 16 using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The outbound flight will depart at 6:45 p.m and land in Las Vegas at 8:40 p.m., while the red-eye return will leave at 11:00 p.m. and arrive in Cleveland at 5:59 a.m. the next day. The seasonal route will run through March 26 and face competition from low-cost carriers Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines.
Between Cleveland and Phoenix
United will begin daily nonstop service between Cleveland and Phoenix beginning December 16 using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The airline will offer a morning flight in both directions. United will operate the route through March 26 and compete with American Airlines and Frontier Airlines.
Between Denver and Nassau, Bahamas
United will begin Saturday-only nonstop service between Denver and Nassau beginning November 6 using an Airbus A320 aircraft. The outbound flight will depart mid-morning from Denver, with the return leaving Nassau mid-afternoon. United will be the only operator on the route and the seasonal service will run through March 26.
Between Denver and Roatan, Honduras
United will begin Saturday-only nonstop service between Denver and Roatan beginning November 6 using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The airline will offer a morning flight from Denver with the return departing Roatan in the early afternoon. The seasonal service will operate through March 26 and face no competition.
Between Indianapolis and Orlando
United will begin Saturday-only nonstop service between Indianapolis and Orlando beginning December 18, though the flight will not operate on December 25. The airline will offer a mid-morning flight from Indianapolis with the return departing Orlando in the early afternoon. The flight will be operated by United subsidiary Republic Airways using an Embraer 175 aircraft. United will operate the route through April 30 and face competition from Spirit Airlines and Southwest Airlines.
Between Chicago and Guatemala City, Guatemala
United will begin Saturday-only nonstop service between Chicago and Guatemala City beginning December 18 using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The airline will offer a mid-morning flight from Chicago with the return departing Guatemala City in the early afternoon. United will operate the route through April 30 and face competition from American Airlines.
Between Los Angeles and Belize City, Belize
United will begin Saturday-only nonstop service between Los Angeles and Belize City beginning December 18 using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft. The airline will offer a morning flight from Los Angeles with the return departing Belize City in the late afternoon. The seasonal route will run through August 13 and compete with Alaska Airlines.
Between San Francisco and Liberia, Costa Rica
United will begin Saturday-only nonstop service between San Francisco and Liberia beginning November 6 using a Boeing 737-800 aircraft, though the route will also be offered on three Sundays this winter: December 19, December 26, and January 2. Frequencies will expand to thrice-weekly in both directions in June, operating to Liberia on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays and back to Los Angeles on Saturdays, Sundays, and Mondays. The airline will offer an afternoon flight from Los Angeles with the return departing Liberia in the morning. United will be the sole competitor on the route.