ROUTES AMERICAS: United Introduces New Domestic Links from its US Hubs

United Continental Holdings plans to launch new year-round and seasonal service on several new routes during summer 2012 as it continues to capitalise on the combined resources of United and Continental to redefine its network. “The flexibility of our fleet allows us to put the right aircraft in the right markets to serve new communities and to add additional flights to communities we already serve,” said James Starnes, Director of Domestic Planning, United Continental.

The most notable new connection will be a new daily year-round service between Washington Dulles International and Honolulu which will commence from June 7, 2012 and will be operated using a Boeing 767-400. United is currently the largest carrier between the mainland US and Hawaii and connects the Aloha State with eight mainland cities, as well as Tokyo, Guam and Majuro, offering nonstop service in 23 city pairs.

Additional growth from Washington Dulles will come in the form of seasonal links to Denver, Houston and San Francisco, while flights will begin to a number of popular summer markets from its hub airports. These include a daily 737-800 link between Denver and Fairbanks, Alaska from June 7, 2012 through to August 27, 2012 and daily Houston – Rapid City flights across the same dates operated by an ExpressJet Embraer ERJ 145 under the United Express brand.

United will also offer links from Houston and San Francisco to Jackson Hole, which acts as a key gateway to nearby Yellowstone National Park and the Grand Tetons. The Houston flights will operate twice-weekly from June 8, 2012, through August 27, 2012, using a 757-200, while the San Francisco flights will operate daily from July 1, 2012, through August 27, 2012, under the United Express brand with Bombardier CRJ700 equipment flown by SkyWest Airlines.