United Airlines eyes summer 2026 travel in 14-route expansion
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United Airlines eyes summer 2026 travel in 14-route expansion

It’s the middle of winter, but United Airlines is turning its attention toward the summer travel season.

The Chicago-based carrier already announced some epic, new international destinations for this year — from Split, Croatia, to Bari, Italy, to Santiago de Compostela, Spain.

But United is also adding some new routes to a handful of closer-to-home vacation spots.

On its list for 2026:

  • Cross-country flights to the Maine coast
  • New service to Nova Scotia and Quebec
  • Flights from Chicago to Cody, Wyoming

If you live on the West Coast or in Denver and have long wanted to explore Maine attractions like Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor and its other coastal towns, then there’s something in here for you.

Off the coast of Bar Harbor, Maine. SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY

The same goes for Chicagoland travelers who have set their sights on visiting Yellowstone National Park.

In all, United will launch nine new summer seasonal routes between May and June, with flights running on weekends into early fall.

Beyond that, the carrier also announced five additional routes it’ll fly year-round.

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In total, this is a 14-route expansion that Patrick Quayle, the airline’s top network planner, revealed on social media Thursday. He noted United’s focus on “our favorite outdoor spots from stunning views in the Rockies to the dramatic coastline in Atlantic Canada.”

United’s 9 new summer seasonal routes

Here’s the full list of the new summer seasonal service United announced Thursday. As you’ll see, most of the new routes will launch just before Memorial Day weekend and the unofficial start of the summer travel season. However, a few will take flight in June.

Route Dates and day(s) of week Aircraft
Denver International Airport (DEN) to Bangor International Airport (BGR) in Maine

June 27 to Sept. 5 on Saturdays

Boeing 737-800

DEN to Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA) in Tennessee

May 23 to Aug. 8 on Saturdays

Embraer 175

Dulles International Airport (IAD) near Washington, D.C., to Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) in Nova Scotia

May 23 to Sept. 19 on Saturdays

Embraer 175

IAD to Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB)

May 23 to Oct. 24 on Saturdays

Embraer 175

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston to Spokane International Airport (GEG) in Washington state

May 23 to Aug. 8 on Saturdays

Embraer 175

IAH to Burlington International Airport (BTV) in Vermont

May 23 to Aug. 8 on Saturdays

Embraer 175

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Portland International Jetport (PWM) in Maine

June 20 to Sept. 19 on Saturdays

Boeing 737-800

O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in Chicago to Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD) in Wyoming

May 22 to Sept. 19, with westbound service on Fridays and eastbound flights on Saturdays

Embraer 175

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to PWM

June 27 to Sept. 19 on Saturdays

Boeing 737-800

United’s flights from Chicago to Cody, Wyoming, may sound familiar: The carrier flew that route as recently as 2021. Now, it’ll bring that service back to America’s least populous state. This small airport can serve as a gateway for travelers visiting Yellowstone.

Travel tip: How to plan an epic road trip through Grand Teton and Yellowstone national parks

YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK LODGES/FACEBOOK

The carrier already serves the airport year-round from its Denver hub.

5 new and returning year-round routes

On top of those new leisure-focused routes, United announced five additional flights it’ll operate all year — each from its various hubs.

Each of these new flights will run daily.

Route Launches Aircraft
DEN to Albany International Airport (ALB) in New York state

April 30

Boeing 737-800

IAH to Bradley International Airport (BDL) in Connecticut

May 21

Boeing 737-800

LAX to John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) in Ohio

March 29

Boeing 737-800

LAX to Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)

March 29

Boeing 737-800

LAX to Kansas City International Airport (MCI) in Missouri

April 6

Embraer 175

United’s addition of IAH-BDL flights will see the return of a route the carrier last flew in 2022.

Booking United flights with points and miles

Here’s what to know about booking United flights with points and miles:

Related reading:

Disclaimer: This story is auto-aggregated by a computer program and has not been created or edited by Worldtravelers.
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