Skip to content
Go to Home Page
News

United reveals more of its winter plan with new flight additions

July 09, 2021
•
5 min read
US-TRAVEL-AIRLINES
United reveals more of its winter plan with new flight additions
The cards we feature here are from partners who compensate us when you are approved through our site, and this may impact how or where these products appear. We don’t cover all available credit cards, but our analysis, reviews, and opinions are entirely from our editorial team. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. Please view our advertising policy and product review methodology for more information.

With record highs across the U.S., escaping the cold this winter may be the last thing on your mind.

But nevertheless, winter is coming, and United Airlines is getting ready.

The airline announced on Friday that it will add about 150 daily flights — mostly from its hubs — to warm-weather destinations across the U.S. and Latin America, starting in November and continuing through March 2022.

In total, the airline is adding 137 flights on peak days compared to its 2019 schedule, all heading to winter hotspots. According to United, the added flights include the following domestic additions:

From Chicago O'Hare (ORD)

  • San Diego, California (SAN)
  • Charleston, South Carolina (CHS)
  • Destin, Florida (VPS)
  • Key West, Florida (EYW)
  • Fort Myers, Florida (RSW)
  • Panama City, Florida (ECP)
  • Miami, Florida (MIA)
  • Sarasota, Florida (SRQ)
  • Tampa, Florida (TPA)
  • Phoenix, Arizona (PHX)
  • St. Louis, Missouri (STL)
  • Las Vegas, Nevada (LAS)

From Cleveland, Ohio (CLE)

  • Fort Lauderdale, Florida (FLL)
  • Fort Myers, Florida
  • Orlando, Florida (MCO)
  • Tampa, Florida

From Denver (DEN)

Daily Newsletter
Reward your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers for breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive deals from TPG’s experts
  • Charleston, South Carolina
  • Fort Lauderdale, Florida
  • Fort Myers, Florida
  • Miami, Florida
  • Pensacola, Florida (PNS)
  • Sarasota, Florida
  • Tampa, Florida
  • Las Vegas, Nevada
  • New Orleans, Louisiana (MSY)
  • Phoenix, Arizona

From Houston Intercontinental (IAH):

  • Destin, Florida
  • Key West, Florida
  • Miami, Florida
  • Orlando, Florida
  • Palm Beach, Florida (PBI)
  • Sarasota, Florida
  • Tampa, Florida

From New York-Newark (EWR):

  • Charleston, South Carolina
  • Fort Lauderdale, Florida
  • Fort Myers, Florida
  • Key West, Florida
  • Jacksonville, Florida (JAX)
  • Orlando, Florida
  • Palm Beach, Florida
  • Sarasota, Florida
  • Tampa, Florida
  • Phoenix, Arizona
  • Savannah, Georgia (SAV)

From Los Angeles (LAX):

  • Fort Meyers, Florida
  • Orlando, Florida
  • Tampa, Florida

From San Francisco (SFO):

  • Orlando, Florida
  • Fort Myers, Florida

From Washington, D.C. (IAD):

  • Charleston, Florida
  • Panama City, Florida
  • Key West, Florida
  • Fort Lauderdale, Florida
  • Palm Beach, Florida
  • New Orleans, Louisiana
  • Phoenix, Florida
  • Pensacola, Florida
  • San Diego, California
  • Savannah, Georgia

The airline will also add or increase the following international routes:

From Denver:

  • Belize City, Belize (BZE)
  • San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO)
  • Nassau, Bahamas (NAS)

From New York-Newark:

  • Barbados (BGI) beginning Dec. 5

From Washington, D.C.:

  • Barbados (BGI)
  • Aruba (AUA)
  • Montego Bay, Jamaica (MBJ)
  • Nassau, Bahamas (NAS)
  • Turks & Caicos (PLS)

From San Francisco:

  • Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR) beginning Dec. 5

From Los Angeles:

  • Belize City, Belize (BZE)
  • Cozumel, Mexico (CZM)
  • Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR)
  • San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO)
  • Zihuatanejo, Mexico (ZIH)
  • Manzanillo, Mexico (ZLO)

The additions come as U.S. airlines continue to see high demand among domestic and short-haul international travelers for leisure destinations, and as domestic business travel continues to return at a faster clip than expected.

“As pandemic restrictions ease, people are becoming more confident in planning travel further in advance, so we want to make sure to offer our customers as much choice as possible,” Ankit Gupta, United's vice president who oversees its domestic network, said in a statement.

Friday's announcement was the second time in a month that United added to its winter schedule; its last announcement focused on winter sports destinations.

Notably, however, long-haul international demand has remained severely depressed, with travel limited to the few countries that have reopened, such as Iceland, France, Greece and Italy.

Conspicuously absent from that list: the United Kingdom, despite reports this spring that a travel corridor between the U.S. and U.K. for vaccinated travelers was imminent.

More: Delta boosts 10 routes to 5 outdoor-friendly destinations for the winter

Although airlines have been updating their schedules and adding flights with less lead time than before the pandemic, recent months have seen passengers booking travel further out, airlines have said. The new flights suggest United is eager to capture leisure demand for the winter and is beginning to plan as uncertainty regarding long-haul travel continues.

Featured image by AFP via Getty Images
Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

TPG featured card

Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

Apply for American Express® Gold Card
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site

Rewards

1 - 4X points

Intro offer

As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

Annual Fee

$325

Recommended Credit

Excellent to Good

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.
Apply for American Express® Gold Card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees
Best for dining at restaurants

American Express® Gold Card

TPG Editor‘s Rating
4 / 5
Go to review

Rewards Rate

4XEarn 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.
4XEarn 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.
3XEarn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
2XEarn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
1XEarn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.

  • Intro Offer

    As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.

  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

    Excellent to Good

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.