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Maine, Nova Scotia and the Rockies: United dials up summer travel in 14-route expansion

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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.

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
<span style=”font-weight: 400;”>Denver International Airport (DEN) to Bangor International Airport (BGR) in Maine</span> <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>June 27 to Sept. 5 on Saturdays</span> <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>Boeing 737-800</span>
<span style=”font-weight: 400;”>DEN to Chattanooga Metropolitan Airport (CHA) in Tennessee</span> <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>May 23 to Aug. 8 on Saturdays</span> <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>Embraer 175</span>
<span style=”font-weight: 400;”>Dulles International Airport (IAD) near Washington, D.C., to Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) in Nova Scotia</span> <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>May 23 to Sept. 19 on Saturdays</span> <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>Embraer 175</span>
<span style=”font-weight: 400;”>IAD to&nbsp;</span><span style=”font-weight: 400;”>Quebec City Jean Lesage International Airport (YQB)</span> <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>May 23 to Oct. 24 on Saturdays</span> <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>Embraer 175</span>
<span style=”font-weight: 400;”>George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston to Spokane International Airport (GEG) in Washington state</span> <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>May 23 to Aug. 8 on Saturdays</span> <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>Embraer 175</span>
<span style=”font-weight: 400;”>IAH to Burlington International Airport (BTV) in Vermont</span> May 23 to Aug. 8 on Saturdays Embraer 175
<span style=”font-weight: 400;”>Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Portland International Jetport (PWM) in Maine</span> <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>June 20 to Sept. 19 on Saturdays</span> <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>Boeing 737-800</span>
<span style=”font-weight: 400;”>O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in Chicago to Yellowstone Regional Airport (COD) in Wyoming</span> <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>May 22 to Sept. 19, with westbound service on Fridays and eastbound flights on Saturdays</span> <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>Embraer 175</span>
<span style=”font-weight: 400;”>San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to PWM</span> <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>June 27 to Sept. 19 on Saturdays</span> <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>Boeing 737-800</span>

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
<span style=”font-weight: 400;”>DEN to Albany International Airport (ALB) in New York state</span> <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>April 30</span> <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>Boeing 737-800</span>
<span style=”font-weight: 400;”>IAH to Bradley International Airport (BDL) in Connecticut</span> <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>May 21</span> <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>Boeing 737-800</span>
<span style=”font-weight: 400;”>LAX to John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) in Ohio</span> <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>March 29</span> <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>Boeing 737-800</span>
<span style=”font-weight: 400;”>LAX to Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)</span> <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>March 29</span> <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>Boeing 737-800</span>
<span style=”font-weight: 400;”>LAX to Kansas City International Airport (MCI) in Missouri</span> <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>April 6</span> <span style=”font-weight: 400;”>Embraer 175</span>

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:

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