United adds 8 domestic routes but cuts 4 in shift from Newark to DC
United Airlines is making some big changes to its domestic network.
The Chicago-based airline added eight new domestic routes in its latest schedule update over the weekend, as first seen in Cirium timetables and later confirmed by a carrier spokesperson. Many of these new routes include leisure-focused destinations across the country.
However, United's expansion isn't all additive, as the airline is concurrently scrapping four routes from its network — essentially shifting them to another one of its hubs.
Here are the details.
United shifts regional focus to Dulles
Perhaps the most noteworthy update is United's shift in focus in the Northeast.
The airline filed plans to scrap four routes to its Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) hub, effective in late June. This includes the following Pennsylvania markets:
- Harrisburg
- Philadelphia
- State College
- Wilkes-Barre/Scranton
Instead of flying from these four cities to Newark, the airline will add flights from them to its hub at Dulles International Airport (IAD) just outside of Washington, D.C.
These four new routes will take off on June 27, and they'll be operated by United Express regional affiliates. CommuteAir will deploy an ERJ 145 on every route except for Philly; that route will be operated by Republic Airways using an Embraer E175 that features a 12-seat first-class cabin.
These short "puddle jumpers" were designed to connect nearby outstations with United's hub in Newark, where onward flights to destinations across the country and the world were waiting. United timed these flights to align with key departure banks, giving flyers plenty of one-stop itineraries to many of the world's most popular destinations.
All but one Newark route (Scranton) was added during the pandemic, when the airline doubled down on turning Newark into its primary transatlantic hub.
With these pandemic-era additions, travelers from Harrisburg or Scranton going to places like the Azores or Palma de Mallorca could take a short flight to Newark; from there, they could easily connect to long-haul flights without needing to arrange ground transportation to Newark.
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But shifting the regional feed back to Dulles — where it had historically operated from — might not be as attractive for flyers. While United serves many of the most popular destinations from its Washington, D.C., hub, it doesn't offer nearly as comprehensive a schedule as it does from Newark.
So in the future, travelers based in some of these smaller cities might not necessarily find as many convenient itineraries to get to cities like Berlin or Dubai.
For United, however, this regional shift might make more sense. It comes as the Federal Aviation Administration is waiving slot usage requirements and schedule facilitation policies at Newark, where United's operation has struggled during some of the busiest travel periods over recent years.
Without these regional flights, United can instead focus on flying larger planes to more popular destinations from Newark.
The shift in regional focus also gives United more feed to its Dulles flights. This might, in turn, lead to additional routes being added from IAD.
United adds more summer flights
United isn't just tweaking its network in the Northeast. The airline is also adding four new routes to its schedule, as shown below.
- Denver-Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, begins May 25
- Houston-Traverse City, Michigan, begins June 29
- Chicago-Nantucket, Massachusetts, begins May 25
- Chicago-Wilmington, North Carolina, begins May 25
Most of these new routes are designed to appeal to leisure-focused travelers looking for a summer vacation.
The routes from Denver and Houston are new for United, while the routes from Chicago are technically resumptions from 2021, Cirium schedules show.
All of these flights will operate seasonally during the summer, and they join United's other recent network-focused announcements for additional summer flights.
This includes seven new flights to Alaska and Canada during the warm-weather months, as well as new long-haul routes to Faro, Portugal; Athens; and Barcelona.
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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.