Colorado braces to wave of new winter flights as Americans flock to 'snow and sun' destinations
Americans are getting ready to lace on their boots and snap on their skis this coronavirus pandemic winter.
Mountain communities in Colorado are gearing up for at least an equal number of visitors to the slopes, even as COVID infections continue to rise across the country. Airlines are doing their part by adding a new flights, including some big names not often associated with ski-destinations that are landing in the mountains for the first time.
"It's all about snow and sun right now," Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly said during the airline's third quarter earnings call on Oct. 22.
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Southwest is making its first foray into seasonal mountain destination flying with new service to Montrose (MTJ) and Steamboat Springs (HDN) in Colorado this winter. JetBlue Airways is adding Montrose and expanding in Steamboat, and American Airlines is boosting service to a number of communities on the state's Western Slope.
Dallas-based Southwest will connect both Montrose, which is near the resort town Telluride, and Steamboat to its Dallas Love Field (DAL) and Denver (DEN) bases beginning Dec. 19. It will offer up to four flights a day to both mountain towns through April.
American will resume all of its pre-pandemic flights to Aspen (ASE), Montrose, Steamboat and Vail (EGE) by December, according to Cirium schedules. It will also offer new seasonal flights between Charlotte (CLT) and Montrose.
And JetBlue will connect Montrose to Boston (BOS), Los Angeles (LAX) and New York JFK for the winter beginning Dec. 19. It will also add new nonstop service between Steamboat and JFK.
Related: Southwest adds another new Colorado ski town this winter
All of these new flights come against the backdrop of COVID-19 and the toll it has reaped on air travel. U.S. passenger numbers were down 61% year-over-year during the week ending Oct. 27, according to the latest data from trade group Airlines for America (A4A). Business travel remains all but grounded, with holidaygoers accounting for most of the greatly diminished numbers who are still getting on planes.
Fears of COVID continue to hamper travel. Many states have imposed restrictions on those traveling to or coming from areas with high positivity rates, moves that have slowed the recovery in places like New York, which has more-stringent restrictions than many other states.
Most U.S. airlines are betting on a multi-year recovery that will take until at least 2024 for travel to return to 2019 levels. But they also acknowledge that certain communities, especially those with outdoor options like beaches and mountains, are recovering faster than others. Multiple Colorado airports, as well as desert destination Palm Springs (PSP), are on track to see as many — if not more — flights this winter as they did in 2019.
Related: Palm Springs is booming with new flights during the pandemic
“We’re trending well for winter," said Matt Skinner, CEO of the Colorado Flights Alliance. The alliance is charged with bringing new flights to the Montrose and Telluride (TEX) airports.
The new American, JetBlue and Southwest flights will make up for the loss of Allegiant Air and Delta Air Lines this winter, he said. Both Allegiant and Delta have indefinitely suspended service to Montrose.
But even while Skinner is landing new service for Montrose, he is conscious of not adding "capacity for capacity's sake." The mountain communities have limited lodging options to begin with and, in response to the pandemic, many ski areas are considering visitor caps during peak periods.
Related: 5 reasons to ski at Steamboat Springs this year
The Colorado Tourism Office encourages all visitors to “know before you go” about local restrictions and COVID preparedness, communications manager Abby Leeper Gibson told TPG. The state is "open" to visitors, but masks are required in any public indoor space as well as on public transport.
The state is working towards a set of common coronavirus safety standards for mountain resorts to meet in order to "create common expectations" for visitors, The Colorado Sun reported in October.
“It’s naturally socially distanced with all the outdoor activities," Bill Tomcich, an air service consultant for the Aspen and Gunnison (GUC) airports, told TPG. The biggest concern facing resorts is how to transport people from the "lot to the lift," after which people can socially distance on the slopes.
Related: JetBlue adds a new Colorado ski town to its map amid flurry of new winter flights
In terms of airlines, Tomcich is working with American and United Airlines to space out flights in order to avoid crowding in passenger terminals this winter. He expects airlines to fly about the same level of service to Aspen this winter as last.
Flight numbers are due to be up by as much as 28% to Aspen, Montrose and Steamboat Springs in December compared to a year ago, according to Cirium schedules. However, airlines are revising schedules about a month out, with both Skinner and Tomcich warning that some flights are expected to fall out of the mix.
Delta stands in contrast with its competitors, having suspended flights to Aspen, Montrose and Steamboat Springs. Nearly every other major U.S. carrier is either resuming their 2019 schedules or adding new flights to these mountain communities this winter.
The three destinations were suspended amid the "ongoing impact of COVID-19 on demand," said Drake Castañeda, a spokesperson for the Atlanta-based carrier. He added that Delta "looks forward" to resuming flights to the mountain communities when travel recovers.
Related: Delta suspends flights to at least 16 cities across the US because of coronavirus
Both Skinner and Tomcich seconded this, saying Delta has similarly assured them that it plans to return in the future.
"There is enough traffic," Kelly at Southwest said in response to a question on the airline's new seasonal flights in October. "It will support a few flights... it's all about giving our current customers new options and also all about trying to win some new customers on these routes."
American, JetBlue, Southwest and United will be testing that forecast: specifically, are enough travelers to fill as many or more planes this pandemic winter than last year. And if it does not work, then the flights will likely operate for just the one season and then go away.
Related: Southwest Airlines unveils Steamboat Springs routes
Below are American, JetBlue and Southwest's new routes to Colorado mountain communities this winter.
American
- Montrose - Charlotte: Saturday-service with an Airbus A319 from Dec. 19 to Apr. 3, 2021
JetBlue
- Montrose - Boston: Saturday and Sunday service with an Airbus A320 from Dec. 19 to March 27, 2021
- Montrose - Los Angeles: Saturday-service with an A320 from Dec. 19 to Feb. 20, 2021
- Montrose - New York JFK: Saturday-service with an A320 from Dec. 19 to Feb. 20, 2021
- Steamboat Springs - New York JFK: Saturday-service with an A320 from Dec. 19 to March 27, 2021
Southwest
- Montrose - Dallas Love: Saturday and Sunday service with a Boeing 737 from Dec. 19 to April 5, 2021
- Montrose - Denver: Up to three daily flights with a 737 from Dec. 19 to April 5, 2021
- Steamboat Springs - Dallas Love: Saturday and Sunday service with a 737 from Dec. 19 to April 5, 2021
- Steamboat Springs - Denver: Up to three daily flights with a 737 from Dec. 19 to April 5, 2021
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- 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.
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| 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. |
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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.