United cuts a splashy long-haul route, adds 2 international flights from Denver
United Airlines isn't afraid to take some gambles with its route network.
Sometimes these splashy new long-haul routes turn into big wins, like the carrier's nonstop service to Cape Town.
Other routes, however, aren't as successful.
The latest example is United's routes from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Tenerife in Spain's Canary Islands. This 3,344-mile flight first launched as part of a major international expansion in summer 2022, and it's been operated pretty consistently since then.
But now, the Chicago-based carrier is throwing in the towel on the market.
United cuts Tenerife service
United will cease flying to Tenerife on May 2, as first seen in Cirium schedules and later confirmed by an airline spokesperson.
Previously, this flight was set to resume for the winter season on a three-times-weekly basis Dec. 19. United has historically deployed a single-aisle Boeing 757-200 aircraft on this route.
This isn't the first time that United has noticed softness in this market. When it first launched in 2022, United flew the route on a summer-seasonal basis, and it did so again in 2023 and 2024.
However, at the end of the summer 2024 season, United decided to flip the schedule and operate this route during the winter season. At the time, United said the route wasn't as successful in the summer as originally planned. The airline thought it might perform better in the winter, but that experiment seems to have failed, too.
Even with the cut, United will continue offering more service to Spain than any other U.S. airline, including to Barcelona, Bilbao, Madrid, Malaga and Palma de Mallorca.
But at least the airline gets kudos for trying, as no other U.S. airline has given Tenerife service a shot in recent history.
New international flights from Denver
Meanwhile, United is making two exciting additions closer to home at one of its fastest-growing hubs, Denver International Airport (DEN).
The first is to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, and the second is to Mexico City. Both routes take off Oct. 26. United plans to operate the routes with its Boeing 737 MAX 8.
These additions come as United has expanded significantly in Denver in recent years. The airline has acquired more gate space at the airport over the past few years and keeps adding more routes from the city in a bid to woo flyers from the other major player in the local market, Southwest Airlines.
Plus, Denver's strategic positioning in the U.S. helps United funnel even more connections through the city. The good news is that the massively overhauled and expanded B West lounge will open toward the end of the summer.
As for Punta Cana, it's home to the world's first all-inclusive W resort.
Scaling back further in Tulum
Elsewhere, United is cutting another route — this time from Chicago to Tulum, Mexico.
U.S. airlines rushed to add new service to Tulum when the brand-new airport there opened to international service just over a year ago.
But many of the new Tulum routes didn't stick. United's flight from Chicago is now among the cuts, joining other recent United trims in Tulum, including its service from Los Angeles and (temporarily) from Newark.
United isn't alone in experiencing weaker-than-expected demand for Tulum. American Airlines stopped flying from Charlotte to Tulum earlier this year, and JetBlue also scrapped service from New York to Tulum.
Related reading:
- United Airlines MileagePlus: Guide to earning and redeeming miles, elite status and more
- The best credit cards for United Airlines flyers
- United Premier status: How to earn it — and is it worth 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
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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.