Airlines prepare for busy summer travel season

May 6, 2021

Airlines prepare for busy summer travel season

As more people are getting vaccinated, coupled with pent-up demand for travel, airlines expect a busy summer travel season. The airlines have increased capacity this summer with larger aircraft and more frequency. The airlines publish schedules on short notice as passengers book flights no more than 60 days out or less. This allows flexibility for the airlines to make changes to their schedules based on booking demand. Here is what we expect this summer.

American will operate the 128-seat Airbus 319 on the majority of flights to Dallas.  It will also operate the 76-seat and 50-seat regional jets on about a third of their daily flights. In June, American will offer six daily flights to DFW.

American has upgauged aircraft on the Chicago route with 65-seat regional jets in addition to using 50-seaters. American will have three daily flights to Chicago.

Delta is adding narrowbody aircraft to the Atlanta route.  It will operate the 110-seat B-717-200 aircraft daily along with the 76-seat CRJ-900.  Delta is adding a 4th daily flight to Atlanta in June.

Frontier is adding a third weekly flight to Denver starting June 13; it will operate on Sundays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Frontier is also adding a third weekly flight to Las Vegas in July.  Flights will operate on Fridays, Saturdays and Mondays

Allegiant will resume seasonal service to Orlando-Sanford on May 26.  Flights will operate Wednesdays and Saturdays.  The seasonal service to LAX resumes on June 3; flights will operate on Thursdays and Sundays. Allegiant is adding 2 more weekly flights to the Destin route. Starting June 20, you can choose from 4 weekly flights to Destin. Flights will operate on Sundays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

United is bringing in larger aircraft on the Denver route starting in June.  They will operate the 126-seat Airbus 319 and the 166-seat B737-800.  There will also be a mix of large and small regional jets. United is adding a 4th daily flight to Denver in June.

Southwest has suspended its Las Vegas service in June; it will continue Saturday-only service to Phoenix.  Southwest will continue to operate one daily flight to St. Louis and Denver for east and westbound travelers.

The June schedule has 14% fewer flights and 19% fewer seats than in June 2019, but compared to June 2020, June 2021 will have 92% more flights and 89% more seats.

Media Contacts   (316) 946-4700

Valerie Wise, Air Service & Marketing Manager

Jesse R. Romo, Director of Airports

Brad Christopher, Assistant Director of Airports

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