United expands with new flights to Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and Las Vegas

(FORT LAUDERDALE) United Airlines will add dozens of flights to Florida and Nevada this winter, positioning itself to absorb travelers if Spirit Airlines’ financial troubles deepen. The carrier said it will boost schedules to Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, and Las Vegas beginning January 6, 2026, with tickets on sale since September 4, 2025. Executives framed the move as a safety net for passengers facing uncertainty after Spirit’s latest bankruptcy filing, while also strengthening United’s presence in key leisure markets.

Patrick Quayle, United’s senior vice president for Global Network Planning and Alliances, said: “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.” Spirit, which entered bankruptcy again in late August after a failed merger with JetBlue and a reported $1.2 billion net loss in 2024, pushed back. Duncan Dee, Spirit’s senior vice president for Corporate Communications, said the rival’s move reflects “wishful thinking on the part of a high-cost airline” rather than market reality.

Route and Capacity Changes

United’s plan includes at least one extra daily roundtrip on several high-demand domestic routes. The carrier is expanding service from major hubs and opening a couple of new domestic routes:

• From Houston (IAH): added flights to Orlando (MCO), Las Vegas (LAS), New Orleans (MSY), Atlanta (ATL), Baltimore (BWI), and Miami (MIA).
• From Chicago (ORD): added flights to Orlando (MCO), Fort Lauderdale (FLL), New Orleans (MSY), and Las Vegas (LAS).
• From Newark/New York (EWR): added flights to Orlando (MCO) and Fort Lauderdale (FLL).
• From Los Angeles (LAX): an extra daily roundtrip to Las Vegas (LAS).
• New domestic routes: Newark (EWR) to Columbia, South Carolina (CAE) and Chattanooga, Tennessee (CHA).

United will also add international links from Houston:

• Three weekly flights to Guatemala City (GUA) and San Salvador (SAL).
• One weekly flight to San Pedro Sula (SAP).

United plans to use larger planes on some connecting routes (including Chicago–New York LaGuardia) to help travelers from non-hub cities reach the expanded flights.

Scale in Key Leisure Hubs

The scope of the expansion is notable in three major leisure markets:

• 45 daily flights to Orlando
• 30 daily flights to Fort Lauderdale
• 43 daily flights to Las Vegas

For families headed to theme parks in Orlando, South Florida beaches near Fort Lauderdale, or entertainment in Las Vegas, this means more flight times and better chances to find seats during peak winter travel. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these schedules could also help stabilize fares and availability if Spirit cuts more capacity or winds down operations.

Schedule Additions and Start Dates

• Start of service: All added and new flights begin January 6, 2026.
• Ticket sales: Seats went on sale September 4, 2025 on United.com.
• Expanded domestic links: (see Route and Capacity Changes above)
• Aircraft and connectivity: Larger aircraft on some connecting routes to improve connectivity and capacity.

Industry Context and Traveler Impact

United’s announcement arrives amid an unsettled market. Spirit’s court-supervised process, heavy debt load, and weaker demand in some price-sensitive segments have raised the risk of further cuts. Analysts say United’s timing allows it to fill likely gaps—especially from cities where Spirit once carried large numbers of leisure travelers to Florida and Las Vegas—without waiting for final outcomes in bankruptcy court. That approach may limit disruption for travelers while giving United a first-mover advantage in gate and crew planning.

For passengers, the near-term effect is more flight options to Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and Las Vegas during a busy winter period. But fares could trend higher than Spirit’s typical ultra-low base prices. United is not a low-cost carrier, and its service model includes more full-service features.

• Consumers who relied on Spirit for the cheapest tickets may face trade-offs:
  • Possibly higher upfront fares
  • More departure time options
  • Better on-time performance
  • Broader rebooking options during irregular operations

United’s push also raises broader questions about competition. If Spirit exits routes or scales back further, competition on some city pairs could drop, and some experts warn that reduced presence from ultra-low-cost carriers can lead to higher prices over time. Others argue United’s increased capacity could keep some downward pressure on fares by adding available seats, even if price points shift away from ultra-discount levels.

Impact on Central America Connections

Travelers connecting to or from Central America will notice new choices:

• Weekly Houston flights to Guatemala City (GUA), San Salvador (SAL), and San Pedro Sula (SAP) add options for families visiting relatives and for workers returning home for the holidays.
• These limited frequencies still provide resilience if other carriers trim schedules.
• Better banked connections at Houston may shorten total travel times for passengers connecting onward to Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, or Las Vegas.

For international visitors planning theme park trips or conventions, check entry rules early. U.S. border screening is run by U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Official guidance for international visitors—including what to bring, duty rules, and arrival tips—is available on CBP’s site at the “Know Before You Go” page: U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Reading this before travel can reduce delays and help avoid problems at the airport.

Operational Readiness and Local Effects

United says it is ready to adjust again if the market shifts. The airline did not rule out more schedule changes, added routes, or further increases in plane size if demand stays strong or if Spirit’s situation worsens. For now, United is focused on maintaining reliability while scaling up.

• The airline emphasized building buffers:
  • Extra aircraft time
  • More reserve crews
    These help during winter weather, when cascading delays can ripple through hubs like Chicago and Newark.

Local impacts:

• South Florida: More Chicago–Fort Lauderdale and Newark–Fort Lauderdale flights help families and small businesses. Hotels and cruise operators count on steady airlift in winter.
• Central Florida: Additional Chicago–Orlando and Newark–Orlando flights can ease weekend pressure tied to school calendars and special events.
• Nevada: Extra lift to Las Vegas from Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston supports conference season and large sports events.

Practical Tips for Travelers

If you’re flying during the launch period, consider these steps:

1. Book early if you need specific times.
2. Allow extra connection time if winter storms threaten.
3. Check your booking tools for free schedule changes when airlines adjust timetables.
4. Contact United customer service via United.com or by phone at 1-800-UNITED-1.

VisaVerge.com reports that, even if Spirit stabilizes, United’s move may help the airline cement share in key leisure corridors by placing itself where demand is deepest. If Spirit exits, United is positioned to absorb displaced travelers quickly, especially on core links to Orlando, Fort Lauderdale, and Las Vegas.

Airline competition often shifts in cycles. For now, the winter picture is clear: more seats to Florida and Las Vegas, a wary industry watching Spirit’s next steps, and travelers weighing price against schedule, reliability, and service as they plan 2026 trips.