United trims 2 Vail routes, boosts other outdoor destinations in latest pandemic adjustment
Major U.S. airlines have been busy boosting flights to destinations with plenty of built-in social distancing to capture leisure traffic traveling during the pandemic.
Consider Kalispell, Montana; Eureka, California or Idaho Falls, Idaho. All three cities are getting brand-new airline service, thanks to their proximity to national parks and other outdoor activities.
However, not all outdoor-friendly destinations are created equally.
United Airlines is dropping two routes to Vail/Eagle (EGE) from its timetable. The carrier was originally planning to fly twice-weekly EGE service this summer from both Chicago O'Hare (ORD) and Houston Intercontinental (IAH).
Want more airline-specific news? Sign up for TPG’s free new biweekly Aviation newsletter!
Over the weekend, United pulled the ORD and IAH flights, leaving Vail connected by twice-daily Denver service.
Cutting flights to Vail during the summer season might come as a surprise to some. The warmer months are typically quite popular with travelers seeking hiking trails, white water rafting, fly fishing and more.
United's move, however, suggests that there are limits to where pandemic-weary travelers are looking to vacation. Vail's appeal as a mid-pandemic escape is seemingly much stronger in the winter.
Thanks to its world-class skiing, United blanketed Vail with nonstop service from five of its hubs during the winter season. In fact, Cirium schedules show that the carrier plans just 4% fewer flights to Vail during the first quarter of 2021 compared to the pre-pandemic highs of 2019. (For context, United's networkwide flight count has dropped by 45%.)
With United's latest cut, Vail still seems to primarily be a ski destination, despite an abundance of summertime activities that would theoretically fit the bill for a safer, mid-pandemic escape.
Related: The best Colorado ski towns to visit
Other leisure-oriented destinations are faring better.
Florida doesn't seem to have limits. United keeps boosting service to the Sunshine State from airports across its domestic network, with a notable recent expansion from Denver. Despite the state's hot and humid summers, flyers are still prepared to soak up some Vitamin D in June and July.
United's competitors are also feeling the (Florida) heat. Southwest recently unveiled a sweeping route expansion, largely focused at airports like Sarasota/Bradenton (SRQ), Destin/Fort Walton Beach (VPS), Fort Myers (RSW) and Miami (MIA). American and JetBlue are also doubling down on the beach traffic.
Just a few hundred miles north of Florida is Hilton Head Island in South Carolina. This leisure spot known for its beaches and golf courses has also proven quite popular during the pandemic. Over the weekend, United added daily service to the island from its ORD hub from May through early September.
Related: Southwest Airlines add 6 routes to 2 brand-new destinations, including Bozeman
Airports near national parks are also seeing a spike in flights. JetBlue will soon launch a new seasonal nonstop from its New York-JFK hub to Kalispell (FCA) near Glacier National Park.
Another Montana city — Bozeman (BZN) — has seen a dramatic increase in service thanks in part to its proximity to Yellowstone National Park. Southwest will launch its first-ever service to the city later this year. American Airlines is also adding a new seasonal Phoenix (PHX) to BZN service.
All told, Bozeman will see over 1,100 more flights in the first six months of 2021 compared to the same time period in 2019, per Cirium timetables. This 28% increase from pre-pandemic highs shows how quickly airlines are responding to changing demand patterns.
For the airlines making network adjustments, it’s not just about swapping business-focused routes for those catering to leisure travelers – but also about finding the busiest outdoor-friendly markets.
Top offers from our partners
How we chose these cards
TPG featured card
Rewards
3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Rewards Rate
3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels. |
2X | Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery in the U.S. and at U.S. supermarkets. |
1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles50,000 Bonus MilesAnnual Fee
$250Recommended 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.670-850Excellent/Good
Why We Chose It
Build your loyalty to Delta by applying for the carrier's mid-tier card option, the Delta SkyMiles Platinum card. The annual fee is quickly recouped by the card's travel perks, such as an application credit to Global Entry or TSA Precheck, annual companion certificate and so much more. Plus you can fast-track to elite status simply through card spend.Pros
- Earn bonus Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) and an Medallion Qualifying Dollar (MQD) waiver when you hit specific spending thresholds with your card within a calendar year
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year
- Statement credit for TSA PreCheck/Global Entry fee (up to $100)
- First checked bag free
Cons
- Doesn't make sense if you don't fly Delta
- SkyMiles aren't the most valuable airline currency
- Earn 90,000 bonus miles after you spend $4,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $80 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights. Plus enjoy Main Cabin 1 Priority Boarding and settle into your seat sooner.
- New: Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide including takeout and delivery in the U.S., and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases.
- Enjoy a per-visit rate of $50 per person for Card Members and up to two guests to enter the Delta Sky Club when traveling on a Delta flight.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck® after you apply through any Authorized Enrollment Provider. If approved for Global Entry, at no additional charge, you will receive access to TSA PreCheck.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs up to two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees