Two major U.S. carriers are expanding southbound schedules for the 2025-26 winter season. Beginning Oct. 26, United Airlines will restore daily service between Denver International Airport (DEN) and Mexico City International Airport (MEX) and debut Denver's first nonstop to Punta Cana International Airport (PUJ). On the same day, American Airlines will enter the Chicago O'Hare International Airport (ORD) to Mexico City market with its own daily flight. The additions give travelers in the Mountain West and Midwest more direct access to Mexico's capital and the Dominican Republic's leading resort hub.
Key Points
- Why it matters: Extra nonstop seats can lower fares and cut connection hassles.
- United will fly DEN-MEX daily Oct. 26 - Mar. 27.
- American will fly ORD-MEX daily Oct. 26 - Mar. 28.
- United launches Denver's first nonstop to PUJ, daily through Aug. 15, then Saturdays until Oct. 24.
- Both airlines plan Boeing 737 MAX 8 service with Wi-Fi and Premium Plus cabins.
Snapshot
Mexico City remains one of the top international destinations from both Denver and Chicago, yet winter capacity has sat below pre-pandemic peaks. United's return to the Denver route fills a SkyTeam-free gap next to Aeroméxico and Volaris, while American's ORD entry increases daily frequencies in a crowded but lucrative corridor. The new Punta Cana flight turns Denver into the westernmost U.S. gateway with nonstop Dominican Republic access, trimming at least four hours off current one-stop itineraries.
Background
U.S. airlines have grown Latin America capacity 28 percent since 2019 as leisure demand outpaces other long-haul segments. United has invested heavily in Denver, building gates and adding eight Latin routes in six years. American, meanwhile, is rebuilding its Mexico network from Chicago, leveraging the city's business ties and large Mexican diaspora. Both carriers adjust winter schedules each August, aligning peak holiday periods and softer shoulder weeks.
Latest Developments
United's Denver Expansion
- DEN-MEX: Daily 0955 a.m. departure, 0325 p.m. arrival. Return departs 0435 p.m., arrives 0720 p.m. Season ends Mar. 27.
- DEN-PUJ: Daily 0945 a.m. departure, 0518 p.m. arrival Oct. 26 - Aug. 15. Service switches to Saturdays only Aug. 16 - Oct. 24 before reverting to daily.
United says both routes target "underserved leisure demand" and will feed 134 domestic connections through Denver. The Punta Cana schedule aligns with resort check-in times and offers same-day Caribbean onward connections through partner Sky Cana.
American Adds ORD-MEX
American's daily ORD-MEX flight departs 0640 p.m. and arrives 1105 p.m.; the return leaves MEX 0645 a.m. and lands 1040 a.m. The evening southbound complements existing morning and afternoon departures by competitors, giving Chicago travelers four departure windows. The airline will codeshare with Alaska Airlines for regional feed.
Competitive Picture
At Denver, United will square off against Aeroméxico and Volaris, which together run four weekly winter MEX flights. Chicago becomes even busier: American's entry joins United, Aeroméxico, Volaris, and Viva Aerobus, pushing peak-day ORD-MEX seats above 2,800. Analysts expect price pressure in economy cabins yet healthy premium yields driven by corporate demand.
Analysis
For winter flyers, new nonstops reduce missed-connection risk during snow disruptions common at Denver and Chicago. United's Punta Cana launch is especially valuable to Mountain West leisure travelers who previously faced overnight layovers. From a network standpoint, United is exploiting the improved range of the 737 MAX 8 to open thinner Caribbean routes, while American fortifies O'Hare against ultra-low-cost carrier growth. Travel advisors should secure group blocks early, because the late-summer frequency cut on Denver-Punta Cana will shrink seat inventory and could drive up fares for October vacations.
Final Thoughts
Extra Denver and Chicago departures to Mexico City, plus Denver's first Punta Cana nonstop, signal airline confidence in winter demand for both cultural and beach escapes. Advisors should remind clients that Mexico requires passports valid for six months beyond entry and that the Dominican Republic offers fast-track arrival services worth pre-booking. With expanded schedules and competitive pricing, winter 2025 is shaping up as an excellent season to book a Denver to Mexico City flight.