United Expands Domestic Routes, International Baggage Allowance

Rear view of businesswoman in suit walking with her baggage and bag

Chicago carrier introduces seven new routes from hubs to smaller cities across country.

Flyers connecting out of eight smaller cities will get a new carrier option in the summer of 2018, thanks to United Airlines. In a press release, the Chicago-based carrier announced that they will add eight daily flights to their hubs by June.

The new flights connect Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) with Bismark Municipal Airport (BIS) in North Dakota, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) with Arcata-Eureka Airport (ACV) in Northern California and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to Dane County Regional Airport (MSN) in Madison, Wisconsin. Denver and Houston will get two new flights: Norfolk, Virginia and Appleton, Wisconsin will get daily direct flights to Denver, while Houston will get daily service to two Ohio airports: Akron/Canton and Dayton.

The new flights are in addition to seasonal service between the New York City area and South Dakota starting in the summer. The once-weekly flight will leave from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) and land at Rapid City Regional Airport (RAP) starting June 23. The airline claims the seasonal service is a result to demand for travel to several national parks, including Mount Rushmore and Badlands National Park.

The domestic changes are not the only ones United flyers can look forward to. Those traveling to China and Hong Kong from the United States will receive a second checked bag free. Before the change, economy flyers only received one complimentary bag when flying west.

Both the addition of a new bag on China-bound flights and the new domestic routes are introduced before United begins the rebanking process at ORD. Previously completed in Houston, the airline claims that they can reduce connection time and provide better access to destinations through their enhanced structure.

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