United plans 'aggressive' competition on transcons when it returns to New York JFK
United Airlines is moving forward with plans to return to New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport next year, with plans to "compete aggressively" on transcontinental routes to the West Coast.
The Chicago-based carrier aims to connect JFK to the West Coast — likely its hubs in Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO) — as well as to some of its other domestic hubs when flights resume in 2021, United CEO Scott Kirby said during a third quarter earnings call on Oct. 15.
By returning to JFK during the coronavirus pandemic, United stands to join some of its smaller peers like JetBlue Airways, Southwest Airlines and Spirit Airlines in using the crisis to muscle into some of the more restrictive airports across the United States where slot restrictions or gate availability can hinder access. Historically low flight levels have opened the door to new services to airport like Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Los Angeles (LAX) and Orange County (SNA).
Want more airline-specific news? Sign up for TPG's free new biweekly Aviation newsletter!
"We've been working very, very hard to use the pandemic as a way to get back into JFK," Kirby said. "I have reasonable confidence that we'll be successful."
He added that recent terminal works at the New York airport have added ground capacity for additional flights. This stands in contrast to most other large, congested airports that remain in early days of large-scale terminal expansion works or are restricted by slots that govern the number of takeoffs and landings.
United left JFK in October 2015 when it ended nonstop flights to LAX and San Francisco. Kirby has previously called the move made by the airline's previous management team the "wrong decision."
Related: United Airlines could return to New York's JFK airport in 2021
The carrier faces steep competition when it returns to JFK. American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and JetBlue Airways all consider the airport a hub, with each carrier offering its own posh premium products on high-profile routes to the West Coast.
However, United is not a stranger to the premium transcon dog-fight. It has offered a competing near-shuttle service from its Newark Liberty (EWR) hub across the Hudson River from Manhattan in New Jersey.
United offered premium transcontinental flights on a combination of Boeing 757, 777 and 787 jets before the pandemic. In addition, it is studying a new lie-flat business product for some of the Boeing 737 MAX 10 jets it has on order.
Related: Airlines muscle into big airports as coronavirus creates new opportunities
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
Rewards Rate
| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
| 5X miles | 5 miles per dollar on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel |
| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
Intro Offer
Earn 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200K miles when you spend $150K in the first 6 monthsLIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus milesAnnual Fee
$395Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.740-850Excellent
Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month