Simple Flying previously reported that United Airlines has trimmed some of its European summer schedule. The airline has cut about 1% is planned schedule this year; the change is relatively small. However, it is worth noting that it comes at a time when United is otherwise expanding its overall operations. According to scheduled data from aviation analytics provider Cirium, it is operating approximately 6.3% more flights in the first half of this year compared with the same period last year.

The Star Alliance member is launching several new routes (mainly summer seasonal), including new services to Bari, Santiago de Compostela, Glasgow, and Split, as well as new long-haul routes such as Newark–Seoul and Washington Dulles–Reykjavik. It is also adding new domestic and Canadian services, including Denver–Chattanooga, Washington Dulles–Halifax, Washington Dulles–Quebec City, and additional regional routes. However, at the same time, the carrier has made significant cuts to service in dozens of cities across its network.

Where United Has Made Its Sharpest Schedule Cuts

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The Bay Area’s second-busiest airport, Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport, is seeing the highest reduction in United’s schedule during the first half of this year. According to the data, the airline has scheduled around 25% fewer flights to San Jose compared with the same period last year. It primarily serves the airport from Denver, Houston Intercontinental, and Chicago O’Hare; the largest cuts are coming on the Denver and Chicago routes. From Denver, United Airlines is now operating two to three daily flights, down from as many as four daily services last year. The Chicago O’Hare route has seen an even more reduction.

Last year, the airline operated daily flights on the sector, but this year it has scheduled very limited (only a few days) flights during January and February. Furthermore, Bakersfield is also among the cities seeing notable reductions. The Star Alliance member has cut capacity on its San Francisco–Bakersfield route by around 17.3%. Between January 5 and May 21, the airline is operating just one daily flight, compared with two to three daily services during the same period last year. Besides that, markets such as Brownsville, McAllen, Mobile, Pasco, and Panama City are all seeing reductions of more than 10%.

United Continues To Scale Back In Underperforming Leisure Markets

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Beyond the airports already seeing the reductions, United has also continued to scale back service in markets where demand has underperformed for multiple seasons. For instance, Tulum in Mexico, which the airline added to its network in 2024. The airport opened for commercial operations on December 1, 2023, and initially attracted a surge of new routes. However, demand has since softened as many travelers continue to favor Cancun as the primary gateway to Mexico’s Caribbean coast.

As a result, airlines have gradually reduced capacity, and United has followed the same path. Last year, the airline canceled its Los Angeles–Tulum service and did not resume its Chicago–Tulum route after March 30. Additionally, flights from Newark were also suspended and have not returned for most of this year; flights are now scheduled to resume from October 25.

Furthermore, Montego Bay is another market where United has significantly cut back. From both Newark and Chicago, the airline is offering more than 50% fewer flights in the first half of 2026 compared with the same period in 2025. Further north, Winnipeg is also seeing a notable reduction. United’s schedule to the Canadian city is down by around 20% year over year.

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United Is Adding Flights To Select International Markets

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While the airline has reduced service in several markets, it has also added capacity elsewhere across its network, both domestically and internationally. Some cities are seeing higher frequencies as routes are reinstated or expanded for the summer season. Internationally, Tel Aviv is among the markets seeing increased service.

United reinstated flights to the city from Washington Dulles and Chicago O’Hare in November last year. Reykjavik is also seeing new capacity. From May 21, the airline is launching a summer-seasonal nonstop service between Washington Dulles and Reykjavik, operated by Boeing 757-200 aircraft. Until now, it has only served the Icelandic capital from Newark and Chicago.

Furthermore, in Asia, Hong Kong is seeing an increase in overall flying as the Star Alliance member continues to expand its fifth freedom routes. Last year, the airline launched a new service from Bangkok and Ho Chi Minh City. Besides, Canada is also gaining new routes. Halifax and Quebec City will see additional flights this summer as United will launch new seasonal services from Washington Dulles.