United Airlines Announces 8 New Destinations As Part Of Its Largest International Expansion Ever

On October 10, United Airlines
has announced eight new international destinations as part of its largest-ever international expansion, including new routes to Africa, Asia, and Europe.

Never served destinations from Newark

In May 2025, United Airlines will launch five new non-stop flights from Newark Liberty International Airport
(EWR) to Nuuk International Airport (GIO), Greenland, Palermo Airport (PMO), Bilbao Airport (BIO), Spain, Madeira Airport (FNC), Portugal, and Faro International Airport (FAO), Portugal.

However, the airline noted that these routes are currently pending governmental approvals.

Photo: Santi Rodriguez | Shutterstock

Nuuk, Bilbao, and Faro have not been directly served from the United States at least since 2010, according to data from the aviation analytics company Cirium.

Azores Airlines has operated flights from Madeira to New York John F. Kennedy International Airport
(JFK) since December 2021 and to Boston Logan International Airport
(BOS) between June and September of this year. For now, Cirium data did not indicate whether the airline, part of the SATA Group, will return to serve both routes originating in Faro in 2025.

Meanwhile, the now-bankrupt Air Italy and Neos have flown from Palermo to New York JFK, with the former doing so until October 2017. The latter operated itineraries on the same route in summer 2024.

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Expanding international routes from Dulles

United Airlines will also add three routes from Washington Dulles International Airport
(IAD): Dakar Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS), Senegal, Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE), France, and Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE), Italy.

While the former is a year-round service, the latter two are seasonal, non-stop services. Cirium data showed that both Delta Air Lines
and Air Senegal are still operating flights to Dakar from New York JFK, with the latter scheduling its last flights in September.

Meanwhile, Nice and Venice have plenty of US carriers operating seasonal and year-round services, including United Airlines, which serves both Italian cities on seasonal routes from Newark.

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

According to the airline, despite it already being the busiest carrier on flights across the Atlantic Ocean, its 2025 summer transatlantic schedule will include more than 760 weekly flights.

United Airlines said it will push forward the starting dates of flights to Venice, Athens, Greece, and Barcelona, Spain, and increase frequencies on itineraries from Newark to Palma de Mallorca, Spain, Dubrovnik, Croatia, and Athens.

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It also ranks second when American and Delta’s European services are included.

More flying from Tokyo

Lastly, United Airlines will continue expanding its Tokyo Narita International Airport
(NRT) operations, from where it will fly to Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN), Mongolia, Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH), Taiwan, and Airai Roman Tmetuchl International Airport (ROR), Palau.

This will not be the first destinations that it will serve out of Narita, with United Airlines starting flights to Mactan-Cebu International Airport (CEB), the Philippines, in late October.

During the same month, the carrier has scheduled 63 weekly flights to Narita (excluding flights to Cebu), with 25 weekly itineraries connecting Guam Antonio B. Won Pat International Airport (GUM) and the Tokyo airport.

Photo: Markus Mainka | Shutterstock

In addition, United Airlines has 42 weekly flights, including daily itineraries from Guam, to Tokyo Haneda Airport
(HND), the Japanese capital’s other airport.

Patrick Quayle, the senior vice president of Global Network Planning and Alliances of United Airlines, highlighted that no other airline offers such unique international destinations on non-stop flights from the US.

“Our network provides the most choice and variety for our customers, whether they are looking for a relaxing seaside getaway, once-in-a-lifetime adventure travel or to explore some of the most vibrant urban escapes across the globe.”

United Airlines added that it would be the only US carrier offering connections to Mongolia and Kaohsiung.

The US and Mongolia signed an Open Skies agreement in August 2023, with the latter country’s flag carrier, MIAT
Mongolian Airlines, expressing interest in flying to the US.

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