United Adds 11 International Routes for Winter

United Airlines has launched 11 new international routes as it switched to its winter schedule on October 25, 2026.

Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Air Travel

A single commercial jet taxiing across an open airport apron under a clear pale sky, with a low terminal building in the distance. — United Airlines added 11 new international routes as its winter schedule began October 25, including nonstop service from Houston to Tuxtla Gutiérrez and Newark to St. Croix. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Would you book a flight on one of these new international routes this winter?

United Airlines switched to its winter schedule on October 25, 2026, launching 11 new international routes. The carrier operates an average of 350 daily international departures this winter, up 2% from last winter.

Why it matters

The expansion adds nonstop options for travelers from several U.S. hubs, particularly Houston, Washington Dulles, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver and Newark. The schedule runs through March 27, 2027.

United operates 86 daily departures to Mexico, with 25 destinations served from Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport, which accounts for 53% of its Mexico departures. Several of the new routes are flown with 737 MAX 8 and 737 MAX 9 aircraft, though the source does not specify which routes use which aircraft.

The players

United Airlines

United Airlines is a major U.S. carrier that is the second-largest long-haul airline in the world, after Emirates.

American Airlines

American Airlines is the largest U.S. operator of flights to Mexico, ahead of United Airlines.

The details

New routes include Houston to Tuxtla Gutiérrez, which resumes service after a 13-year absence, and Newark to St. Croix, launching October 31. United is the second-largest operator from the U.S. to Mexico behind American Airlines, and the second-largest long-haul carrier in the world behind Emirates.

October 25, 2026: United switches to winter schedules.
October 27, 2026: Houston to Tuxtla Gutiérrez route starts.
December 11, 2026: San Francisco to Sapporo route starts.
January 12, 2027: Houston to Caracas route starts.
March 27, 2027: Winter schedule ends and Los Angeles to Osaka Kansai starts.

Travel Outlook

United's winter expansion strengthens its position in the U.S.-Mexico market, where it already ranks second behind American Airlines. The added routes come as its winter international departures grow 2% over last year.

Travelers flying from Houston, San Francisco, Los Angeles or Newark gain new nonstop options to several international destinations this winter. Those planning trips to Tulum should note United's exit from that market in January 2027.

The takeaway

Travelers planning winter or early-2027 international trips should check whether their route is affected by United's January 2027 Tulum exit and the seasonal status of new routes like Okinawa. Booking flights from the new hub routes could offer more nonstop options than in prior winters.

What happens next

United's winter schedule runs until March 27, 2027, when the Los Angeles to Osaka Kansai route begins. United pulls out of Tulum in January 2027, and service to Chihuahua returns at the start of the summer 2027 season.