United Airlines is giving travelers new ways to beat the cold this fall and winter.
Flyers who live near New York City, Washington, D.C., and Houston will benefit from some new routes to warm-weather destinations. These flights are heading to Southern California, St. Croix, and Los Cabos and Chiapas, Mexico.
Some of the routes will begin flying in late October and operate seasonally until early next spring. Others are year-round additions to United’s schedule.
New United routes
The following new routes are now on sale on United’s website:
From Dulles International Airport (IAD) outside Washington
- IAD-John Wayne Airport (SNA): Once-daily, year-round service beginning Aug. 11.
- IAD-Los Cabos International Airport (SJD): Four times weekly, year-round service beginning Oct. 25. Flights will operate Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday.
From Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
- EWR-Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX) in St. Croix: Seasonal Saturday-only service starting Oct. 31, 2026, and ending March 27, 2027.
From Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
- IAH-Tuxtla Gutierrez International Airport (TGZ): Three times weekly, year-round service starting Oct. 28. Flights will operate Wednesday, Friday and Sunday.
Doubling down on Dulles
United’s latest route expansion reveals it’s continuing to invest in its Dulles hub and offer Washington, D.C.-area flyers service to popular leisure destinations. The carrier has outlined an ambitious expansion plan for its mid-Atlantic hub, helped by the planned opening of a brand-new concourse later this year.
The connectivity to SNA will give East Coasters better access to Southern California and allow them to visit the picturesque surf towns of Orange County without subjecting themselves to the crowds and traffic at far busier Los Angeles International Airport (LAX).
Meanwhile, United’s new route to Chiapas also shows the airline growing beyond traditional Mexican destinations like Cancun and Puerto Vallarta. When this route launches, it’ll be the only nonstop service from the U.S. to Chiapas, a region known for its waterfalls, lakes, canyons, ancient ruins and street food culture.
Bottom line
This latest four-route expansion by United came roughly a week after the carrier added new service from Cleveland, where it’s planning its biggest schedule in a decade from what was once a hub for the Chicago-based carrier.
Worth noting: United on Wednesday finished as the runner-up in TPG’s 2026 Best Airlines Report.
Related reading:
- United MileagePlus: Your guide to earning, redeeming, status and more
- The best credit cards for United Airlines flyers
- United’s big MileagePlus changes are in effect: What to know
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- 17 hours in United’s swanky new Polaris Studio suite
- United’s new MileagePlus reality: Cardholders win, others lose ground
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.
