Summary
- United Airlines suspends the Houston-Santiago route until late October next 12 months, following Air Canada’s decision to pause its Toronto-Santiago route.
- United Airlines redirected passengers to take alternative flights through Copa Airlines in Panama or avianca in Bogota.
- American Airlines, Delta, and LATAM proceed operating services between the US and Chile to Miami, Dallas/Fort Price, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Miami, and Latest York JFK.
United Airlines is the second North American carrier to pause its services to Chile after the airline decided to suspend its connection between Houston and Santiago. The route will probably be paused from March 30, 2024, and never return until late October next 12 months.
United follows within the footsteps of fellow Star Alliance partner Air Canada, which also announced its intentions to pause its Toronto Pearson to Santiago route only just a few weeks ago.
Photo: Vytautas Kielaitis | Shutterstock
The Houston-based carrier deploys its Boeing 767-300ER day by day on the route between its hub at Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) to Santiago Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL). It’s its sole path to Chile.
Other carriers remain
While the rationale behind the route suspension stays unclear, United Airlines carried 11,500 passengers between Houston and Santiago in October. With the carrier suspending the route, these passengers must travel via one other point. UA has redirected most passengers to take alternative flights through Panama with Copa Airlines or Bogota with avianca. Nevertheless, other US mainline carriers may even be available.
American Airlines, Delta, and LATAM, at this stage, will proceed to operate services between the USA and Chile, with the airlines serving the below routes:
- American Airlines, with services to Miami and seasonally to Dallas/Fort Price
- Delta Air Lines, direct to Atlanta year-round
- LATAM, operating services to Los Angeles, Miami, and Latest York JFK
Qantas’ Newest Boeing 787 Flies Over Antarctica Between Santiago & Sydney
Unfortunately, the passengers weren’t treated to a view of the ice.
UA847 / 846
As noted, United currently serves the route between Houston and Santiago day by day with the Boeing 767-300ER. This service operates southbound as UA847, departing from the Texan airport at 20:30 for the standard eight-and-a-half flight to Chile’s capital, Santiago. The flight is scheduled to reach at 08:50 the next day. The aircraft then stays on the apron for a lot of the day before operating one other night flight on the return.
UA847, then departs from Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport at 22:45, destined for George Bush Intercontinental Airport for an almost nine-hour journey northbound, arriving in Houston at 05:20 the next day. This well-timed arrival on the Texas airport enables travelers to attach easily to the various domestic and international destinations within the United network.
Other Central and South American flair
For travelers now deciding in the event that they should travel elsewhere, at Houston, United doesn’t disappoint in Central and South American destinations, with the carrier already serving Aruba, Belize City, Bogotá, Bonaire, Buenos Aires–Ezeiza, Cancún, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, Guadalajara, Guatemala City, Havana, León/Del Bajío, Liberia (Costa Rica), Lima, Managua, Mérida, Mexico City, Montego Bay, Monterrey, Panama City–Tocumen, Port of Spain (Trinidad), Puerto Vallarta, Punta Cana, Querétaro, Quito, Rio de Janeiro–Galeão, Roatán, San José (Costa Rica), San José del Cabo, San Juan, San Luis Potosí, San Pedro Sula, San Salvador, São Paulo–Guarulhos, Tegucigalpa/Comayagua and Veracruz, alongside seasonal services to Providenciales, and St. Thomas.
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Easy Flying
Other latest destinations set to come back under United’s belt include Tulum, Mexico, from March twenty third, and Georgetown–Cheddi Jagan from April 1st next 12 months.
Easy Flying contacted United Airlines for comment on the route suspension; nevertheless, the airline didn’t respond by the point of publication. The story will probably be updated if the airline replies.
Sources: Flightradar24