United Airlines adds flights in case Spirit fails
United Airlines will add two new routes and beef up schedules on more than 15 others in January.
All come in markets served by Spirit Airlines, and that’s no coincidence.
United's move comes just a week after Spirit filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time in nine months. Spirit’s abrupt return to bankruptcy, coupled with a previous warning that it could run out of cash, has ratcheted up concerns about the budget carrier's long-term prospects.
It’s also led customers to wonder if booking on Spirit is risky, especially for flights months away amid the ultra-low-cost carrier’s financial uncertainty.
Rival airlines are beginning to take stock of the situation, too.
First up was Frontier, which rolled out a 20-route expansion that largely targeted Spirit and ratcheted up competition between the nation’s two largest budget carriers. It also left many industry observers wondering if Frontier, which failed in a previous merger bid for Spirit, was trying to push its rival over the brink with its new flights.
Now, United has become the second carrier to add flights in markets where it competes with Spirit, saying its extra flights could be welcome additions in a worst-case scenario.
“If Spirit suddenly goes out of business, it will be incredibly disruptive, so we’re adding these flights to give their customers other options if they want or need them,” Patrick Quayle, United’s senior vice president of Global Network Planning and Alliances, said in a statement announcing the new routes.
Already, United will end up backfilling Spirit in at least two markets.
United's two new routes announced on Thursday include nonstop service from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) in South Carolina, and Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA) in Tennessee.
Spirit currently flies both of those routes, but it confirmed on Wednesday that it would end all service from Columbia and Chattanooga as part of broader cuts related to its bankruptcy restructuring.
United already had planned to add Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) service to those two cities prior to news of Spirit’s exit, a spokesperson for United said to TPG.
Additionally, United will add one daily flight to certain existing schedules from its hubs at EWR, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), O’Hare International Airport (ORD), and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). You can view a full list of the additions below.
United’s new routes and expanded schedules will begin Jan. 6 and go on sale later Thursday.
| From | To |
|---|---|
IAH | Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI) (extra flight)
Guatemala City's La Aurora International Airport (GUA) (extra flight) Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) (extra flight) Las Vegas' Harry Reid International Airport (LAS) (extra flight) Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) (extra flight) Miami International Airport (MIA) (extra flight) Orlando International Airport (MCO) (extra flight) San Pedro Sula's Ramón Villeda Morales International Airport (SAP) (extra flight) El Salvador International Airport (SAL) (extra flight) |
EWR | CHA (new route)
CAE (new route) Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL) (extra flight) MCO (extra flight) |
ORD | FLL (extra flight)
LAS (extra flight) MSY (extra flight) MCO (extra flight) |
LAX | LAS (extra flight) |
Spirit Airlines responded to United's expansion on Thursday.
"We’re focused on competing and running a great operation," Duncan Dee, the airline's senior vice president of corporate communications, said in a statement to TPG. "Suggesting anything else is wishful thinking on the part of a high-cost airline looking to eliminate a low-cost competitor so they can fulfill their ultimate goal of charging American travelers the highest fares possible.”
Related reading:
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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. |
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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.