Exciting new airline routes from November 2023 and beyond
Airline network planners kicked off the holiday season dreaming about warm-weather destinations.
One spot in particular caught the eye of the "Big Three" U.S. airlines: Tulum.
A brand-new international airport will soon open at this popular destination in Mexico's Riviera Maya. This new airport should eliminate the need for sun-seekers to fly to Cancun and then take a two-hour car ride to Tulum, giving travelers unprecedented convenience to this popular oasis.
At this point, American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Ailrlines and Spirit Airlines have all announced new service to Tulum, but that's only scratching the surface of the route-map changes that airlines announced in November.
Read on for the full recap.
American Airlines
American's network planning department had perhaps the busiest November of all the major U.S. airlines. The carrier made sweeping changes to both its domestic and international networks — and the news was mostly negative.
Starting with the cuts, American axed all international flights from Seattle, where it planned to operate a strategic West Coast gateway hub in partnership with Alaska Airlines. The airline had originally planned to move some of its long-haul operations from Los Angeles to Seattle and launch new service to far-flung destinations such as Bangalore, India.
That short-lived experiment is now history, though, as American scrapped the last of its long-haul flights (service to London) from Seattle this month.
Domestically, American did an about-face in Austin, where it spent much of the pandemic boosting service to what some aviation observers thought could become a focus city for the airline. This month, the airline cut a whopping 21 routes to the city, effectively reversing almost all of the growth it unveiled during the pandemic. (Interestingly, American's move comes just days after Virgin Atlantic also announced that it would cease flying to Austin — another new route that launched during the pandemic.)
It wasn't all bad news for American, though. The airline joined the fray in announcing new service to Tulum from three hubs: Charlotte, Dallas-Fort Worth and Miami.
American also proposed a new service from New York to Tokyo and increased frequencies on routes to Latin America. The carrier closed out the month by announcing beefed-up schedules on 30 routes from Dallas-Forth Worth International iAirport (DFW), where the airline says it will fly its busiest schedule ever.
- American unveils 30 expanded routes in largest-ever schedule from Dallas-Fort Worth
- American scraps all international flights from Seattle, adds new route from Dallas
- American unveils 4 new flights to Tulum, proposes new Tokyo service and more
- American cuts a whopping 21 Austin routes in major network shake-up
Alaska Airlines
Alaska's hub in Portland received a big boost with the addition of a new service to Nashville. This will be the city's only nonstop flight to the Music City, and it represents Alaska's 53rd nonstop destination from Portland.
Just this month, Alaska inaugurated new service from Portland to Miami, giving those based in Oregon's biggest city more choices when flying with Alaska.
Allegiant Air
Ultra-low-cost carrier Allegiant Air is expanding its presence in Central Florida with the addition of a new airport to its route map: Orlando International Airport (MCO).
Allegiant has long operated a hub at Orlando's secondary airport — Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB) — but this will be the first time the carrier has flown to the region's more popular (and more convenient) MCO airport.
Allegiant will commence service to MCO from Allentown, Pennsylvania; Asheville, North Carolina; and Knoxville, Tennessee.
Elsewhere, the carrier is adding nine other new routes, touching airports as big as Los Angeles and as small as Bismarck, North Dakota.
Breeze Airways
Breeze Airways continues to seek out demand from smaller, underserved airports. This month, the carrier unveiled a total of eight new cities and 16 new routes across two separate announcements. Perhaps most interesting among them is new service to New York's Stewart International Airport (SWF).
Over the years, SWF has struggled to retain traditional airline service, so Breeze's additions will most certainly be appreciated by locals and the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the government agency that manages and oversees this airport.
- Breeze unveils 7 new cities and 14 new routes
- Breeze adds 2 new routes, 1 new city as it expands in the West
Delta Air Lines
It was a pretty quiet month for Delta, which made only two noteworthy changes to its network.
Delta filed plans to axe two of its longest routes from New York City's LaGuardia Airport (LGA), and it also added a second daily flight from Atlanta to Seoul, giving those based in the Southeast easier access to destinations across Asia.
Frontier Airlines
Frontier didn't actually announce any new routes this month, but it did give us an indication of where it might grow in the future. This month, the Denver-based carrier announced it would make Cleveland its 11th crew base.
Frontier likes to operate an "out-and-back" network from its crew bases, so it's possible that this move might be setting the stage for a larger network expansion from this Ohio city. Frontier followed the Cleveland news with plans for other bases at airports serving Chicago and Cincinnati.
JetBlue Airways
JetBlue also didn't announce any new routes this month, but it did offer some hints as to its future long-haul network.
For one, it applied for slots to serve Lisbon next summer. JetBlue will also be able to continue serving Amsterdam next summer because the proposed Dutch flight cap was overturned by local regulators.
Spirit Airlines
Spirit's route map is losing a major pin early next year. This month, the airline shared plans to close its outstation at Denver International Airport (DEN).
The airline cited the grounding of some of its Airbus jets for engine inspections as the primary reason behind the cuts. Most recently, Spirit served Denver from Fort Lauderdale, Las Vegas and Miami.
Southwest Airlines
Southwest also didn't announce any new flights this month, but it did offer hints as to where it might expand to next.
Even though the carrier operates a major fortress hub at the Dallas Love Field (DAL) airport (where it leases 18 of the airport's 20 gates), the airline is considering expanding to the nearby Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) when the Wright Amendment restrictions end in 2025.
Only time will tell what happens next.
United Airlines
United was back in growth mode in November, adding both new domestic and new international service. It expanded frequencies on many domestic routes to Florida and ski destinations during the winter, and it also announced a slew of new services to Tulum, where United is currently slated to become the largest U.S. airline.
- United unveils big network expansion focused on Florida, ski destinations
- United Airlines adds 4 routes to Tulum, joins rush to new Riviera Maya airport
Aeromexico
Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU) continues to win new international service. This time, the latest expansion comes courtesy of Aeromexico, the Mexican flag carrier, which will launch new service to Mexico City next summer.
Service will operate once daily on an Embraer E190.
Icelandair
Another airport growing its long-haul portfolio is Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT). This month, Icelandair announced new service from Pittsburgh to Reykjavik, starting next summer.
The new Icelandair service joins British Airways' flights to London, bringing back some pride to this airport that was once a key hub for US Airways.
WestJet
You may not have necessarily seen this one coming, but Canadian carrier WestJet is launching year-round, nonstop flights from Regina International Airport (YQR) to Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP) as part of its summer 2024 schedule.
You can catch the full details in the story below.
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
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- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
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- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
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- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
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Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.