United Adds More Florida Routes for Winter

United Airlines is bolstering its route map in Florida and plans to increase its schedule by nearly 20% compared to last winter.

Here’s what you need to know.

Largest Florida Expansion for United

United will add nonstop service from Key West (EYW) to Chicago (ORD), Houston (IAH), Newark (EWR), and Washington (IAD) beginning November 28, 2023.

The airline is also increasing its daily service between Cleveland (CLE) and Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Fort Myers (RSW), and Orlando (MCO) to twice daily. Additionally, United will relaunch nonstop service from Cleveland to Tampa (TPA).

Finally, the airline will increase service on the following routes: Chicago (ORD) to Fort Myers, Denver (DEN) to Fort Lauderdale, and Chicago to Miami (MIA). The airline says it will fly the wide-body Boeing 777 between Miami and Chicago, offering lie-flat seats on the route.

For travelers who prefer the slopes to the sand, the airline will expand its East Coast service to offer more nonstop flights to winter destinations. United is adding more service from Newark (EWR) to Bozeman (BZN), Eagle/Vail (EGE), Jackson Hole (JAC), Hayden/Steamboat (HDN), and Montrose/Telluride (MTJ). Those changes take effect this winter.

The airline says it has seen “record-breaking demand” for winter travel — whether it’s for sunny or snowy destinations.

“We know that November is when most people start their winter travel planning, so we’re adding these flights to give customers more options than ever,” said Mark Weithofer, United’s Managing Director of Domestic Network Planning.

How to Book

These routes have been loaded into United’s system and are now bookable using cash or United MileagePlus miles.

You’ll find some pretty solid deals, even though United doesn’t use an award chart. For instance, a round-trip flight between Key West and Newark will cost you just 22,000 miles (plus taxes) for dates next January, or just $188 in basic economy. If you want to head to the mountains for skiing instead of flying south for winter, you’ll find deals to cities like Bozeman for 30,000 miles or $300 in cash.

You can easily earn a ton of United miles by transferring Chase Ultimate Rewards or Bilt Rewards points at a 1:1 ratio, or by opening 1 of the airline’s many co-branded credit cards.

Final Thoughts

United is bolstering service to several sunny and snowy destinations, which is excellent news for travelers of all types. Even better, flights seem to be pretty inexpensive whether you’re using miles or cash, so make sure to book these tickets if you’re planning winter travel!