I wrote about United’s new service to Santiago, Chile yesterday as well as additional flights to Punta Cana and Belize City, but that was only half the story. While the resumption of Santiago service will be a nice addition to the route map, travelers looking to get to Rome, Belfast, Manchester, or Dublin during the winter months will find their United options are limited.
Rome / FCO – no service (Washington / IAD or Newark / EWR) between Nov 6 – March 28
Belfast / BFS – no service between Jan 5 – March 10
Washington / IAD – Manchester MAN / Dublin DUB – no service between Jan 5 – March 3
The complete halting of service to Rome for nearly five months surprises me. Continental service to Rome from Newark used to be seasonal, but United’s Dulles – Rome route has been year-around since its inception. I think November – March is a great time to visit Rome, though United’s service between Milan and Newark will continue so you are not totally without options.
The reduction in service to Belfast, Manchester, and Dublin is more understandable. Certainly weather is not ideal year around there (even though I love cool, damp, weather) and the winter months are even worse. Manchester and Dublin can still be reached via Newark.
I don’t think I’ve ever heard a travel or say they “love cold and damp weather”!
People say I’m unique! 🙂
So correct me if I’m wrong, but wouldn’t cutting the direct flight create a potentially better routing to Rome using a stopover elsewhere in Europe with an award booking? Or would those flights be exactly the same, just lacking a non-stop?
@Brenton, I see it more as just taking one more choice away – making it more difficult to use and earn miles on United. Yes, UA’s systems will now force a connection in Frankfurt or Zurich or Brussels or Vienna, but that means you have to endure a connector in Euro Economy/Business, which is a slim-line coach seat that becomes uncomfortable after five minutes.
This is so stupid, meanwhile all Delta flights to Rome are overbooked.
i have taken the flight from Dulles to Rome and back perhaps 6 times and never has it not been totally booked