Summary
- United Airlines will boost capability on a variety of destinations within the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Mexico this winter.
- Direct services to the brand new Tulum International Airport in Mexico are set to launch on March 31, strengthening connectivity across the Riviera Maya region.
- Latin America has seen a pointy uptick in demand from North American holidaymakers through 2023, exceeding its pre-pandemic tourism figures.
It may be cold outside, but that’s hardly any reason to trade up your linen shirts for a puffer jacket and gloves. Before you begin vacuum-sealing away your summer wardrobe, why not make yet one more break for the sun?
US legacy carrier United Airlines might just have your winter travel plans covered. From 2024, the airline will bulk up capability to a variety of destinations across the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and Mexico.
A Mexican tour
Launching on March 31, just in time for a much-needed break from that late winter/early spring chill, United Airlines will add direct services to Mexico’s recent Tulum International Airport (TQO) from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), and Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD). Positioned on the idyllic Yucatán Peninsula, the airport serves as a gateway to popular resorts, including Cancún and Playa del Carmen, in addition to pre-Columbian heritage sites akin to the Mayan Chichén Itzá.
Photo: Vincenzo Pace
In an announcement shared by United Airlines, Senior Vice President of Network Planning and Alliances Patrick Quayle explained the airline’s decision for its southerly expansion, adding,
The carrier currently operates direct services to Cancun International Airport (CUN) and Cozumel International Airport (CZM); nonetheless, the soon-to-open Tulum Airport is ready to offer enhanced connectivity for tourists hoping to explore the Riviera Maya region.
Can’t wait until March? Through the winter travel season, United Airlines will offer over 200 weekly departures between eight of its US and Cancun, utilizing its Boeing 777 jets on certain services to satisfy demand for the favored destination. Flights to Cozumel will run 11 times per week from Chicago, Houston, and Denver International Airport (DEN).
American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Spirit Airlines are also gearing as much as launch operations at the brand new airport. Services are scheduled to launch on December 1, with Viva Aerobus and Aeromexico to be among the many first airlines to inaugurate Tulum Airport.
Into the Caribbean and beyond
Alongside services to Mexico, United Airlines has announced it’s going to bolster capability on routes into Latin America and the Caribbean by as much as 25% through the winter travel season. The capability growth will cement United Airlines’ place as the most important US airline in Central America, with destinations including San José’s Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) and Liberia International Airport (LIR) in Costa Rica, El Salvador International Airport (SAL), Belize City’s Philip S. W. Goldson International Airport (BZE), and La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City.
Photo: Vincenzo Pace I Easy Flying
Latin America has proven an incredibly trendy destination for North American tourists; in May, the Latin American & Caribbean Air Transport Association (ALTA) confirmed that the region had exceeded its pre-pandemic traffic numbers, posting 0.6% passenger growth between 2019 and 2023. Mexico, Colombia, and the Dominican Republic were the most important passenger markets, recording three-year growth of 21%, 14%, and 109%, respectively. The region can be expected to exceed its pre-pandemic financial levels by the tip of 2023. As reported by Travel Pulse, tourism in Latin America is predicted to contribute around $319.5 billion to the regional economy this 12 months, a 1.2% increase on 2019’s figures.
Will you be traveling with United Airlines this winter? Where are you headed to? Tell us within the comments.