United Airlines is set to launch one of its most significant international expansions, adding new routes from the Americas to Europe and Africa while also enhancing its Asian services. This expansion includes flights to several popular destinations:
- Europe: Croatia, France, Greece, Greenland, Italy, Portugal, and Spain.
- Africa: Senegal.
- Asia: Mongolia and Taiwan.
- Oceania: Palau.
By summer 2025, United will feature its biggest-ever trans-Atlantic flight schedule, incorporating new locations such as Bilbao, Faro, Nice, Nuuk, Madeira, Palermo, and Venice, alongside increased service to Athens, Dubrovnik, and Palma de Mallorca from Newark/New York.
During the summer of 2025, United Airlines will operate over 760 weekly services to more than 40 destinations in Europe, solidifying its position as the U.S. airline with the highest number of flights across the Atlantic.
New Routes
- Newark – Faro: Launching on May 16, 2025, with flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
- Newark – Palermo: Starting on May 21, 2025, with services on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays, plus additional flights on Mondays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
- Washington DC – Venice: Commencing on May 22, 2025, with daily flights.
- Washington DC – Nice: Set to begin on May 24, 2025, with flights on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, as well as Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
- Newark – Bilbao: Planned for May 31, 2025, with services on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, along with Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
- Newark – Madeira: Expected to start on June 7, 2025, with flights on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays, plus Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays.
- Newark – Nuuk: Scheduled for June 14, 2025, although the flight schedule details have yet to be released.
Additionally, United will be the first U.S. airline to serve the new Nuuk airport, which will begin operations on November 28, 2024, featuring a runway extended to 2,200 meters.
Flight Frequency Increases
United will also enhance flight frequencies on several existing routes, effective in 2025:
- Athens (ATH): Increased to daily flights starting March 6, 2025.
- Dubrovnik (DBV): Increased to daily flights starting May 1, 2025.
- Palma de Mallorca (PMI): Increased to four weekly flights starting May 22, 2025.
These seasonal routes exhibit United’s commitment to providing travelers with greater options for international travel.
New Destinations in Africa and Asia
United Airlines is making its debut in Dakar, Senegal, with new scheduled flights from Washington DC using Boeing 767-300(ER) aircraft. This will be United’s fifth destination in Africa, adding to Accra, Johannesburg, Lagos, and Marrakech.
The airline is also expanding its Asian operations with two new routes, currently not serviced by other U.S. carriers, to Kaohsiung and Ulaanbaatar. Both routes will be served from Tokyo Narita using Boeing 737-800s.
Short-Haul International Flights
In addition to its long-haul expansions, United will introduce short-haul international flights between February and May 2025. The Newark to Dominica route launches on February 15, 2025. Houston will add a weekly flight to Puerto Escondido, scheduled to start on April 5, 2025. Lastly, San Francisco to San José, Costa Rica, will commence on May 22, 2025, with daily services.
United’s extensive route network aims to offer passengers unparalleled access to a diverse range of international destinations, from relaxing beach vacations to vibrant urban explorations.
