United Airlines cuts 3 routes, but adds 3 others and starts a turf war
United Airlines is making some noteworthy changes to its network.
The Chicago-based carrier filed plans over the weekend to slash three routes and add three others, as first seen in Cirium schedules and later confirmed by a carrier spokesperson.
In terms of cuts, United will exit the following three routes effective March 29, 2025.
- Newark to Albany
- Newark to Manchester, New Hampshire
- Newark to Providence
All three of these routes were previously operated by United Express regional partners and were designed to boost connectivity through United's Newark hub, from where flyers could connect to hundreds of destinations worldwide.
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While all three cities will lose their connection to one of the airline's key Northeast hubs, there is a silver lining for flyers based in Manchester.
The airline is adding new nonstop service from Dulles International Airport (IAD) near Washington, D.C., to Manchester-Boston Regional Airport (MHT) beginning on March 30, 2025. This new route will be operated by CommuteAir onboard the ERJ-145 regional jet. United will operate the flight twice daily until May, when it will increase to three times daily.
"This route swap will bring the highly requested route to Dulles back to MHT. This will open up 65 domestic and international destinations with just one quick stop in D.C. We are excited to have United’s nonstop flight to Dulles back on our map, and we think this will be a great route for our passengers as they visit our nation’s capital and as they connect to the rest of the world," said Ted Kitchens, Manchester airport director, in a statement.
Note that United already flies from Dulles to Albany and Providence, so the Newark cuts will represent a net reduction in service to those outstations.
In addition to the new Manchester route, United is also adding two new routes to Edmonton International Airport (YEG). The airline will commence service to YEG from its Houston and Chicago hubs this spring, with the former starting on May 22, 2025, and the latter on May 24.
United will operate Chicago-to-Edmonton flights three times a week through Oct. 25, 2025. The Houston route will be flown four times a week on a year-round basis.
Neither of these routes are technically "new" for United. The airline last flew between Houston and Edmonton in March 2020 and between Chicago and Edmonton in June 2016, Cirium schedules show.
But the announcement's timing indicates that there might just be an ulterior motive to the route additions. Canadian low-cost carrier WestJet recently announced plans to launch three-times-weekly service from Chicago to Edmonton beginning on June 4, 2025.
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And now, United is matching the route with three weekly flights of its own. Better yet, United will start flying a few days before WestJet, and it'll match the timings of WestJet's flights. Both airlines will operate on Sundays, Wednesdays and Saturdays this summer, and the flights will depart within 10 minutes of each other in both directions.
All these signs point to a turf war brewing between the two carriers. United, which operates a hub in Chicago, might be feeling the pressure from this competition and want to protect its territory from new entrants.
United is no stranger to a turf war, with the airline grabbing headlines as recently as last year for responding to Alaska Airlines' new route from Dulles to San Diego.
In that case, United responded by adding its highest-density jet, the domestically configured Boeing 777-200, to flood the market with new seats in response to Alaska's entrance.
Now, we'll see how the two airlines handle this one.
Related reading:
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- The best credit cards for United Airlines flyers
- What is United Airlines elite status worth?
- 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
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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.