Airlines in the United States have been adding routes and adjusting their flight schedules following news of low-cost carrier Spirit Airlines struggling to stay in business.?
Last week, Frontier Airlines announced 20 new routes in markets where Spirit operates—a move that many airline analysts saw as Frontier preparing for Spirit to soon exit those cities.
Now, United Airlines is also adding new flights in 15 Spirit markets, just in case the low-cost carrier folds. "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," said Patrick Quayle, United's senior vice president of global network planning and alliances.
Among United’s new flights are two new routes from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Columbia, South Carolina (CAE), and Chattanooga, Tennessee (CHA).
Along with the new routes, the airline is adding an additional daily flight on several existing routes, including:?
Houston and Orlando, Las Vegas, New Orleans, Atlanta, Baltimore, and Miami
-
Chicago and Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, New Orleans, and Las Vegas
Newark/New York and Orlando and Fort Lauderdale
Los Angeles and Las Vegas
United says it will also launch three new weekly flights between Houston and Guatemala City, Guatemala, and San Salvador, El Salvador, and one new weekly flight between Houston and San Pedro Sula, Honduras.
The Chicago-based carrier also noted it’s adding extra flight frequencies between Houston, Chicago, and Los Angeles, and it will fly larger aircraft between Chicago and New York LaGuardia “to help customers outside of United's hubs connect to these added flights.”
All of the new flights start January 6, and fares go on sale September 4.
Despite other airlines ready to move into its markets, Spirit says it has no intention of ending operations, even through its current hardships. "While we appreciate the obsession certain airline executives have with us, we’re focused on competing and running a great operation," said Duncan Dee, Spirit’s senior vice president of corporate communications. "Suggesting anything else is wishful thinking on the part of a high-cost airline looking to eliminate a low-cost competitor so they can fulfill their ultimate goal of charging American travelers the highest fares possible to visit the people and places they love. Spirit is responsible for making low fares available to consumers for more than 30 years, whether they fly with us or not. We have every expectation to continue doing so for many years to come."
Spirit Airlines recently entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for the second time in one year, calling into question its ability to survive as a company.
On Thursday, Spirit announced it would cut service to 12 cities in October, according to CNBC, as it attempts to slim down operational costs to stay in business.
Those markets include Albuquerque, New Mexico; Birmingham, Alabama; Boise, Idaho; Chattanooga, Tennessee; Columbia, South Carolina; Portland, Oregon; Salt Lake City, and four California cities: Oakland, San Diego, Sacramento, and San Jose, CNBC reports. The carrier is also scrapping plans to launch a new route to Macon, Georgia, which was supposed to debut on October 16.
For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.
Topics From This Article to Explore
