United Airlines Exits 4 U.S. Cities and Cuts 12 Routes in Recent Changes

As airlines continue to adapt to shifting demand, United Airlines is reconfiguring its flight network, according to a spokesperson from the airline who spoke to Dinogo this week. Over the next few months, the airline will discontinue 12 routes, mainly serving smaller hubs, including:

• George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston to Edmonton International Airport (YEG) in Alberta, Canada
• Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Colorado Springs Airport (COS)
• LAX to Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) in Madison, Wisconsin
• LAX to Eugene Airport (EUG) in Oregon
• LAX to Rogue Valley International–Medford Airport (MFR) in Oregon
• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey to Northwest Arkansas National Airport (XNA)
• O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in Chicago to EUG
• ORD to Santa Barbara Airport (SBA) in California
• San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to MSN
• SFO to Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW)
• SFO to St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL)
• SFO to Will Rogers World Airport (OKC)

Many of the routes being cut had already been temporarily halted during the pandemic, except for the Los Angeles flights to Colorado Springs, Eugene, and Rogue Valley International–Medford, which will cease in January. The airline is uncertain if or when these routes may return.

“We routinely modify our schedule for various reasons, including demand and the overall requirements of our network,” stated the airline’s spokesperson.

United Airlines to Terminate Service to These 4 Cities

Although travelers can still reach these markets through connecting hubs (for instance, Colorado Springs can be accessed via a layover in Denver), that won’t be the case for others. United has confirmed its complete withdrawal from the following four cities this year:

• Lewisburg, West Virginia (service ceases October 31)
• Weyers Cave, Virginia (service ends October 31)
• Clarksburg, West Virginia (service ends November 30)
• West Paducah, Kentucky (service ends December 6)

Since the pandemic began, United, along with its main competitors American and Delta, has had to eliminate numerous routes, particularly to smaller regional markets. In addition to fluctuating demand, a persistent pilot shortage has contributed to this reduction, driven by slow recruitment and early retirement or buyout offers extended to older pilots during the initial COVID-19 phase to reduce costs.

This news follows United's recent announcement of a code-share agreement with Emirates. While United customers may soon have fewer options for some U.S. routes, international connections are expanding, allowing access to over 100 cities in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East thanks to the Emirates partnership.