United adds 4 new domestic routes, including 1 new destination
United Airlines is expanding its domestic network with the addition of four new routes.
The Chicago-based carrier filed plans over the weekend to add new flights from its hubs at Chicago's O'Hare International Airport (ORD) and Dulles International Airport (IAD) in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
The airline will add service from ORD to Gunnison-Crested Butte Regional Airport (GUC) in Colorado and Morgantown Municipal Airport (MGW) in West Virginia, as first seen in Cirium schedules and later confirmed by a carrier spokesperson.
United will also add service from IAD to MGW and South Bend International Airport (SBN) in Indiana later this year.
The expansion kicks off Dec. 3 with daily service from Dulles to South Bend. United Express partner Republic Airways will operate this route using an Embraer E175 regional jet.
Then, on Dec. 13, daily service to Morgantown kicks off. United Express partner SkyWest Airlines will operate the two new MGW routes using a 50-seat CRJ-200 regional jet.
SkyWest will also operate once-weekly flights using an Embraer E175 on Saturdays from Chicago to Crested Butte beginning Feb. 15, 2025.
Morgantown is a new pin on United's route map. The service is supported in part by an Essential Air Service contract, meaning United receives subsidies from the government to operate it. That said, SkyWest decided to boost service in the D.C. market to daily even though the EAS subsidy only covers five weekly flights.
United last flew to Morgantown in September 2014, Cirium schedules show.
Value check: Are airline credit cards worth it anymore?
All these new regional flights will give flyers based in smaller communities access to United's global network via one-stop connections in major hubs.
This regional expansion is just the latest network adjustment United has made recently. Last month, the airline added its first-ever flights to Dominica in the Caribbean, which are slated to take off early next year.
Plus, the carrier is expected to issue its hotly anticipated international route announcement for next summer in the coming days. Andrew Nocella, United's chief commercial officer, recently said at the Skift Global Forum that an exciting network unveiling is planned for Oct. 10.
That said, it's not all good news for United's global operations. The airline filed a few route cuts in its latest schedule update. This includes turning year-round flights from Chicago and Houston to Palm Springs, California, and West Palm Beach, Florida, into seasonal winter service.
Originally, the airline had planned to operate these four routes year-round, which would have been a notable upgrade compared to recent years when these flights were only operated during the winter schedule.
Finally, the airline originally planned to restart flights from Houston to Boise and Hartford next year, but that planned resumption was slashed from future schedules this weekend. (United last flew from Houston to Hartford in 2022 and from Houston to Boise in 2023, Cirium schedules show.)
Affected travelers will be offered a refund or reaccommodation on other United flights.
Related reading:
- United Airlines MileagePlus: Guide to earning and redeeming miles, elite status and more
- Best United Airlines credit cards
- United Premier status: What it is and how to earn it
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- How to survive basic economy on United Airlines
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.