As vaccination rates continue to increase across the country, airline travel is seeing an influx of passengers. March 23 marked the 13th straight day that 1 million+ passengers traveled and went through U.S. airport checkpoints, according to the Transportation Security Administration.
United Airlines announced plans to revive its flight load after getting hit with cancellations last year. The airline hopes to operate above 5o% of its overall schedule and hopefully see a significant difference compared to last May, where flights were being operated at about 14%.
Domestically United Airlines will add a total of twenty-six new nonstop routes, from Midwest cities to popular state-side vacation spots like Hilton Head, S.C.; Pensacola, Fla.; and Portland, Maine. Other domestic routes will fly between Orange County, California, and Honolulu.
Internationally United will increase flights to Mexico, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America. They will resume some of their more popular flights including Chicago to Tokyo, New York/Newark to Milan and Rome, while also restarting service between Chicago and Amsterdam.
Airlines have begun loosening restrictions on aircraft, including opening up middle seats and allowing in-flight meals, alcoholic beverages and snacks.
Delta Air Lines is one of the last airlines continuing to uphold restrictions, and have extended the middle seat policy through April 30.
Related: United Launches Travel Ready Center For Covid-19 Testing In Airports