United Airlines adds 5 new routes, Delta cuts Texas route from former Cincinnati hub
United Airlines is adding five new routes to its schedule this fall, launching new service to Alamosa, Colorado, and Abilene, Texas, even as it anticipates being up to 50% smaller amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.
The Chicago-based Star Alliance carrier will add new service this September between its Denver (DEN) hub and Alamosa (ALS); Rochester, Minnesota (RST); and Sioux City, Iowa (SUX), according to Cirium schedule data. In addition, United will add service between Houston Bush Intercontinental (IAH) and Abilene (ABI) and Chattanooga, Tennessee (CHA).
While United is adding some spokes to its map, Delta Air Lines continues to cut its former base in Cincinnati (CVG). The SkyTeam Alliance carrier will end service between Cincinnati and Austin (AUS), a route that has been suspended since April, Cirium shows.
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The schedule changes come as both Delta and United head for an autumn that will be challenged by COVID-19. Both airlines plan to fly significantly less than they did in 2019, flying reduced schedules after a so-called "V-shaped" recovery from the virus failed to emerge during the summer. The schedule cuts mean fewer staff are needed with potential furlough notices sent to thousands of employees.
"We expect the recovery in demand we’ll see to be jagged," United CEO Scott Kirby said on July 22. He added that the airline does not expect air travel to recover beyond about half of 2019 levels until a vaccine is widely available, something he hopes for by the end of 2021.
Data from trade group Airlines for America (A4A) shows passenger traffic stalled at down around 60% compared to 2019 since the beginning of July.
Related: United Airlines worries travel recovery will stall until there’s a COVID vaccine
But travelers have begun to return to places where they can be outside,such as beach and mountain destinations. This has driven numerous flight additions to places like Aspen, Colorado (ASE), and Bozeman, Montana (BZN), since the pandemic began.
United's five new routes will all be flown by SkyWest Airlines with Bombardier CRJ200s outfitted with 50 seats. Alamosa service is subsidized by the federal government's essential air service (EAS) program, while the Sioux City route is supported by local funds.
Delta's move to cut service between Austin and Cincinnati follows decisions to close its flight attendant and pilot bases in Cincinnati. The airport had been the airline's main Midwestern hub prior to its 2008 merger with Northwest Airlines, but has shrunk since then. Delta now counts it as neither a hub nor a focus city.
Related: Delta Air Lines ‘committed’ to new Boston hub; Austin, Raleigh focus cities
Delta spokesperson Drake Castañeda told TPG that the airline continues to evaluate and adjust its schedule based on travel demand, travel restrictions and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
Separately, Alaska Airlines continues to add new routes to its map. The Seattle-based carrier will begin daily service between San Diego (SAN) and Santa Barbara (SBA) on Nov. 20. Alaska will operate an Embraer E175 with 76 seats on the route.
Alaska, Delta and United all plan to be markedly smaller this fall than they were in 2019. While schedules beyond September are not final, Alaska plans to fly more than 60% of what it flew in North America during the same month last year. Delta plans to fly around 58% and United roughly 41%, Cirium data shows.
Related: Global air travel unlikely to recover until 2024 as COVID remains ‘issue’ in US, elsewhere
Below are details of United's new routes this fall.
Denver
- Alamosa: up to twice daily flights beginning Oct. 1
- Rochester: daily flights beginning Oct. 1
- Sioux City: daily flights beginning Oct. 14
Houston
- Abilene: twice daily flights beginning Oct. 21
- Chattanooga: daily flights beginning Oct. 1
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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. |
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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.