United Airlines is adding two routes to Edmonton International Airport (YEG) in Canada next summer—one of which will be in direct competition with a new service being launched by WestJet.
The first network addition will connect Chicago O’Hare International Airport with the Alberta airport from May 22, 2025, operating three times per week through Oct. 25 using Airbus A319 aircraft. Flights from Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport will commence two days later, operating four times per week on a year-round basis.
Both routes mark resumptions for United, which last served Chicago-Edmonton until June 2016 and Houston-Edmonton until March 2020, according to OAG Schedules Analyser data.
“With these new routes, we are excited to build on our partnership with Air Canada and offer customers even more choices across the transborder network,” says Mark Weithofer, Managing Director of Domestic Network at United.
The Star Alliance member’s return to the Chicago-Edmonton market comes after WestJet unveiled plans to begin flying between the cities during the summer 2025 season. The Canadian carrier will introduce flights on June 4 through Oct. 22, also operating three times per week. The addition is one of seven transborder services unveiled by WestJet earlier this month.
WestJet has since confirmed another U.S. route for next summer with flights connecting Vancouver and Austin, Texas. The route will begin on May 11, operating three times per week. The airline will go head-to-head with Air Canada, which is scheduled to offer a seasonal 4X-weekly service.
WestJet is currently the second-largest provider of capacity between Canada and the U.S. with a 17.1% capacity share during November 2024. Air Canada is the largest, commanding 43% of the market, while United is the third largest on 11.5%.
United’s two new routes to Canada coincide with changes to its U.S. domestic network. The airline plans to launch a 14X-weekly Washington Dulles-Manchester/Boston service from March 30, 2025, using Embraer ERJ 145 aircraft. Flights will be operated by CommuteAir for United Express.
However, the carrier is suspending three routes from Newark Liberty International Airport. From March 29, double-daily services to Albany, Manchester/Boston and Providence will end. The routes are operated by GoJet for United Express.
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