United Launches Tulum Flights From Chicago, Houston, LA, and Newark in 2024

Passengers who want to visit Tulum, Mexico, have to fly into the nearby Cancún International Airport (CUN) and arrange ground transportation to get to their destination, a trip that is nearly 2 hours by car.

But all that will change when the Tulum International Airport (TQO) opens in spring 2024. Ahead of the opening, United is adding service to the airport from 4 hub cities. Here’s what you need to know.

New Tulum Flights Begin March 31, 2024

United is launching 22 weekly flights from Chicago (ORD), Houston (IAH), and Newark (EWR) beginning March 31, 2024. The airline will also add daily seasonal service from Los Angeles (LAX) beginning May 23, 2024.

According to United, it will be the largest airline operating between the U.S. and the Riviera Maya region, which includes Tulum. United says it will offer more than 200 weekly flights from 8 cities to Cancún, with some operating on the Boeing 777 widebody jet.

“Tulum is at the top of a lot of travel lists – great beaches and restaurants, and a region featuring a rich history and spectacular natural beauty,” said Patrick Quayle, Senior Vice President of Network Planning and Alliances at United. “Our new direct flights help people get there faster than ever, giving them even more time to enjoy one of Mexico’s most unique destinations.” 

Booking United Flights to Tulum

United flights to Tulum are now on sale. You’ll find award rates reasonably priced at 40,000 miles round-trip for economy or 70,000 in business class for dates throughout the spring. Cash flights are also available for around $400 round-trip in economy.

Like many major airline loyalty programs, United MileagePlus doesn’t use an award chart with fixed pricing. Instead, the airline uses dynamic pricing, where award prices can be higher or lower depending on various factors.

Luckily, earning a ton of United miles is extremely easy, especially if you have a redemption coming up. You can transfer Chase Ultimate Rewards or Bilt Rewards points at a 1:1 ratio or open one of the many co-branded United credit cards, which all come with big welcome offers.

Final Thoughts

United’s new routes to Tulum are fantastic news for travelers who will save lots of time — and potentially money — by flying directly to Tulum and not having to connect via ground transit in Cancún. Award rates are pretty decent, and there’s a ton of availability, so if you want to visit Tulum, now’s your chance!