United Airlines is beefing up its winter schedule, adding a number of new routes and frequencies beginning January 6, 2026. But what’s catching the most attention isn’t just the added flights, it’s the shade United threw at Spirit Airlines when announcing them.
UPDATE: Spirit Airlines responds.
United Airlines Expands Winter Schedule, Throws Shade At Spirit Airlines
United will add service to 15 cities including Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and Las Vegas. The expansion includes more frequencies from hubs in Houston, Chicago, Newark, and Los Angeles. In addition, United will launch two new routes from Newark (EWR):
- Newark – Columbia, South Carolina (CAE) [the return of the “Chairman’s Flight,” LOL!]
- Newark – Chattanooga, Tennessee (CHA)
On the international front, Houston will see new weekly flights to Central America: Guatemala City (GUA), San Salvador (SAL), and San Pedro Sula (SAP).
Here’s a look at some of the highlights:
- Houston – additional daily service to Orlando, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Atlanta, Baltimore, Miami
- Chicago – additional daily service to Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, New Orleans, Las Vegas
- Newark – additional daily service to Orlando and Fort Lauderdale
- Los Angeles – additional daily service to Las Vegas
The Spirit Airlines Jab
Patrick Quayle, United’s SVP of Global Network Planning and Alliances, framed the schedule build-up as a preemptive move to accommodate potential displaced passengers from Spirit Airlines:
“If Spirit suddenly goes out of business it will be incredibly disruptive, so we’re adding these flights to give their customers other options if they want or need them.”
That’s a remarkably blunt statement. Spirit has been struggling with ongoing financial losses and an uncertain future following its failed JetBlue merger (it has not sought Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for a second time in less than a year), but for a major competitor to publicly speculate about Spirit’s demise is…unusual.
United Works To Undermine The Future Of Spirit
United is clearly positioning itself to scoop up low-cost carrier traffic in key leisure markets, particularly Florida and Las Vegas, while also strengthening Central American connectivity out of Houston. The timing of this announcement, paired with the not-so-subtle Spirit commentary, suggests United sees real opportunity to capture market share if Spirit falters.
Even if Spirit survives, these added flights and larger aircraft put United in a stronger competitive position in markets that have traditionally been ultra-low-cost carrier strongholds. It may not be profitable on a short-term basis, but United will continue to try to siphon traffic from the ultra-low-cost carrier until it ceases to be a competitive threat.
CONCLUSION
United Airlines is adding dozens of new flights this winter, with notable increases to Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and Las Vegas. Beyond the schedule expansion itself (which is normal for United’s winter schedule), United openly cast doubt on Spirit Airlines’ future, a move that could foreshadow even more aggressive market moves if Spirit collapses. For now, travelers benefit from more flight options and connectivity…but the competitive landscape between US carriers remains as cutthroat as ever.
Spirit Airlines has responded with some shade of its own against United Airlines.
image: United Airlines
if they want to knock out Spirit, the time is now for a focus city at FLL
Try and get some of Spirt’s gates
When death appears imminent it is not throwing shade to make plans. Difficult to hear and harsh, Quayle is making plans but you cannot fault him for this. Life goes on. My feelings are for the spirit employees and wish them a quick recovery.
Funny to see Vegas involved when all the clickbait YouTube scammers are pushing the city is dead and “No one goes there anymore”.
I still hope Vegas dies… what overpriced trash. But I’m rooting for Spirit to survive…
Now THAT is what I was looking for a few weeks ago when you went to Vegas. I did request a review of your time there other than the flights and still think it would be great if you have the time.
It’s a huge national story currently and getting plenty of engagement.
For that trip, I was only on the ground for six hours – one meeting at the airport (legal matter) and then I was out.
It’s not that I dislike the food or hotels there…they are nice…but I find the pricing borders on absurd and I hate the tipping culture on steroids there, plus the low-class pot smokers who seem to go there in droves.
I hope you’re being hyperbolic, Matt.. Even though I may have even more disdain for Vegas than yourself, why would I wish it to ‘die’ as if it was some Sodom & Gomorrah ? To each his own and besides less crowds in other venues that I might prefer !
@bossa: I certainly am being hyperbolic. I wish no harm on the workers there who depend on tourism for their livelihood. I just find the business model somewhat disgusting.
Would imagine B6 has a battle plan to reinforce FLL should NK collapse.
Lots of overlap and opportunity to pick up the slack.
Waiting for the next move on the chess board.
I”m sure all the other carriers smell blood & are making contingency plans, as that seems to be a tenet of capitalism…
Wonder it they’ll ‘move in for the kill ‘ by starting a race to the bottom fare war ? Even though obvious & distasteful, would that be considered predatory pricing ?
United can fail too. Nobody expected Panam to fail back in the day either. Arrogance isn’t a good look.