United Airlines has just announced that it’s adding eight new international destinations in 2025, as part of its largest international expansion in history. United has long been the most creative US airline when it comes to international service, but this latest announcement is really on a completely different level in terms of the cool factor.
Unlike American and Delta, United isn’t just adding more service to existing destinations in France and Italy from more hubs. Instead, the airline is adding some legitimately cool, off the beaten track, routes.
In this post:
United Airlines’ eight new international destinations
United Airlines is adding service to eight new international destinations, seven of which aren’t served by any US airlines.
Let me be clear, we’re not talking eight new routes to existing destinations, but rather eight new destinations that aren’t currently served by the airline. There are new routes both across the Atlantic and in the Pacific region. United’s 2025 summer transatlantic schedule will be the largest in the carrier’s history, with more than 760 weekly flights.
Let’s go over the details, and I’ll rank them roughly in order of cool factor, as I see it (really the top few are the coolest, if you ask me, so don’t judge me on the order in which I rank the destinations at the bottom of the list).
United’s Newark (EWR) to Nuuk, Greenland (GOH) route
As of June 14, 2025, United will launch a 2x weekly summer seasonal service to Nuuk, Greenland. United will be the only carrier to connect the United States and Greenland. This route is possible thanks to Nuuk’s new international airport opening shortly, and this makes it so much easier to get to Greenland. The only other route from North America to Greenland is a turboprop flight from Iqaluit, Canada.
United plans to use a Boeing 737 MAX 8 for the route, given that Greenland is only around a four-hour flight from Newark.
United’s Tokyo (NRT) to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia (UBN) route
As of May 1, 2025, United will launch a 3x weekly summer seasonal service to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. United will be the only US carrier to fly to Mongolia. United is shifting around some of its 737s in the Pacific, as the airline reduces service in Guam, and looks to grow in Tokyo. So this is clearly part of that expansion.
The route will be operated by a Boeing 737-800.
United’s Tokyo (NRT) to Kaohsiung, Taiwan (KHH) route
As of July 11, 2025, United will launch daily, year-round flights to Kaohsiung, Taiwan. United will be the only US airline to offer service to Kaohsiung, and it complements the carrier’s existing service to Taipei (TPE). This is intended to give easy, one stop access between the United States and the city.
This route will be operated by a Boeing 737-800, and is part of the carrier’s strategy of expanding 737 service in Japan.
United’s Newark (EWR) to Bilbao, Spain (BIO) route
As of May 31, 2025, United will launch 3x weekly summer seasonal service to Bilbao, Spain. This will make United the only US airline to fly nonstop to Bilbao, which is the largest city in Spain’s Basque Country. This gives easy access to nearby destinations as well, like San Sebastian and Biarritz.
The route will be operated by a Boeing 757-200.
United’s Newark (EWR) to Palermo, Italy (PMO) route
As of May 21, 2025, United will launch 3x weekly summer seasonal service to Palermo, Italy. This will be the first service from a US airline to Palermo, and it will be United’s fifth destination in Italy, after Milan (MXP), Naples (NAP), Rome (FCO), and Venice (VCE). However, Delta does plan to fly to Catania (CTA) as of 2025, the other major airprot in Sicily.
The route will be operated by a Boeing 767-400.
United’s Washington (IAD) to Dakar, Senegal (DSS) route
As of May 23, 2025, United will launch 3x weekly, year-round flights to Dakar, Senegal. Delta already flies to Dakar, so United will be the second US airline to fly there. With this, United will also finally beat Delta in terms of serving more destinations in Africa.
United will use a Boeing 767-300 for the route.
United’s Newark (EWR) to Madeira, Portugal (FNC) route
As of June 7, 2025, United will launch 3x weekly, summer seasonal flights to Madeira, Portugal. United will be the first US airline to fly to Madeira, and in total, United will serve five destinations in Portugal next summer, as this complements flights to Faro (FAO), Lisbon (LIS), Ponta Delgada (PDL), and Porto (OPO).
The route will be operated by a Boeing 737 MAX 8.
United’s Newark (EWR) to Faro, Portugal (FAO) route
As of May 16, 2025, United will launch 4x weekly, summer seasonal flights to Faro, Portugal. United will be the first US airline to fly to Faro, and in total. The route will be operated by a Boeing 757-200. United was actually supposed to launch this route in 2024, but it got delayed, after United was unable to add new routes due to a safety audit.
United Airlines’ expansion to existing destinations
In addition to adding service to eight new destinations, United Airlines will also be adding new routes to some existing destinations:
- As of May 22, 2025, United will begin daily seasonal flights between Washington (IAD) and Venice, Italy (VCE)
- As of May 24, 2025, United will begin 4x weekly seasonal flights between Washington (IAD) and Nice, France (NCE)
Furthermore, United will add year-round, nonstop flights between Tokyo (NRT) and Koror, Palau (ROR). This is an existing seasonal destination, so it’s cool to see that it will be extended.
United is also expanding the length of the season or increasing frequencies for some existing summer seasonal routes, including flights from Newark (EWR) to Athens, Greece (ATH), Dubrovnik, Croatia (DBV), and Palma de Mallorca, Spain (PMI). The same is true for San Francisco (SFO) to Barcelona, Spain (BCN), as well as Chicago (ORD) to Athens, Greece (ATH).
My take on United Airlines’ international expansion
As I’ve long said, United Airlines is in a league of its own when it comes to the creativity and scale of its international network. There’s not even any competition, as American and Delta are so focused on their joint venture hubs, and don’t really think outside the box when it comes to the routes they add otherwise.
Given the amount of summer seasonal expansion we’ve seen from US airlines in recent years, I always think “well, what’s really left to add?” I think this round of additions highlights a level of creativity we’ve never seen before at a US airline. I didn’t think we’d see the day where a US airline flies to Greenland or Mongolia.
United’s SVP of Global Network Planning and Alliances, Patrick Quayle, has simply built a network that’s unrivaled, and it’s nice to see how there’s no end in sight to the growth.
Now, to be fair, are these routes individually likely to be massively profitable, or to have a material impact on United’s bottom line? No, I don’t think Greenland and Mongolia are going to be United’s highest yield destinations.
However, I’d make two points. First of all, United is able to do much of this expansion in a pretty low risk way. I mean, six of the eight routes are operated by narrow body jets, and four of them don’t even have flat beds (the 757s have flat beds, while the 737s don’t). The airline isn’t utilizing that many resources here, and clearly views this as a gamble that’s worth giving a shot.
Second of all, there’s something to be said for the overall halo effect of having an unrivaled, global network. If United can keep using this as a point of differentiation, I think it’ll make more people loyal to the airline.
It’s worth keeping in mind that this expansion is coming at a time when United is limited in terms of its growth, as the airline isn’t growing its fleet much, due to delivery delays at both Boeing and Airbus. So I almost feel like United is intentionally taking a different approach this time around, focusing on breadth rather than depth.
Bottom line
United Airlines has announced an exciting international expansion for 2025, as the airline will add eight new international destinations to its route map. Seven of these destinations aren’t served by any other US airlines, which gives you a sense of just how unique this service is.
What do you make of United’s international expansion for 2025?
When are these flights book able? I’m trying to book TYO UBN next July and am unable.
Obviously none of the mensas like Patrick Quayle,at UAL ,bothered to look up the meaning of Ulaanbaatar,or read recent headlines.The name means red(as in communist) hero.On his recent visit there,rather than arresting him as signatories to ICC dictates,Putin was welcomed as a hero with full honours.Sounds like a "cool" place to send American tourists these days.Gawwd.
Wow! These are awesome routes to some great destinations I want to visit in the coming years!!! AA's int. routes out of my hub (PHL) have been dropping like flies. I might have to start working for United status.
Yeah,put me on a 737 for 6:30.
Ben. You forgot to add United’s recently announced new route EWR-DOM (Dominica) starting February 15th 2025. Weekly service will be operated by 737-700.
It will be the island’s second direct link to the US mainland after AA’s service from MIA.
Good to see United expand further internationally. Even though I dread sitting on a 737 for more than 2 hours, it's good to have options like NRT-KHH.
@Ben wasn't United planning on replacing the 752s - is that still happening?
Yeah, all of these are so fun that I can bear the UA 738 ;)
If the new Asian routes via NRT work, I could see UA expanding quite a bit into Asia using that hub. The inability to use Russian airspace makes this advantageous again. It didn't matter when you could do SFO-BKK over Siberia and the PRC. This now requires a detour. But NRT is located south of Russian airspace and any flights from there to Asia (aside from the Russian part) can fly direct. Easy way to...
If the new Asian routes via NRT work, I could see UA expanding quite a bit into Asia using that hub. The inability to use Russian airspace makes this advantageous again. It didn't matter when you could do SFO-BKK over Siberia and the PRC. This now requires a detour. But NRT is located south of Russian airspace and any flights from there to Asia (aside from the Russian part) can fly direct. Easy way to serve places like SGN, BKK, KUL, and other cities in the region. And you can hit smaller cities in Asia that are within 4 hours of HND with 737s. Brilliant, really.
How is necessitating a connection in an era when aircraft can fly 20 hours nonstop “brilliant”? The NRT hub was a relic of the 80s and 90s, when such aircraft did not exist.
You could use a reading comprehension course, Lindsey, because I explained this above. US airlines CAN NOT use Russian airspace. Look at a freakin' map and imagine what that does to routings. This is what puts NRT into play as a hub again.
I think Greenland is going to be a flop. I can't imagine Nuuk has much to do and see for more than 1 or 2 days. And there's a huge, huge shortage of hotels. I also can't imagine there are any large chain hotels.
I see a lot of people questioning or expressing surprise at Palau. This is a popular destination for Japanese tourists. Delta used to serve it, like Guam, from NRT. And, Palau...
I think Greenland is going to be a flop. I can't imagine Nuuk has much to do and see for more than 1 or 2 days. And there's a huge, huge shortage of hotels. I also can't imagine there are any large chain hotels.
I see a lot of people questioning or expressing surprise at Palau. This is a popular destination for Japanese tourists. Delta used to serve it, like Guam, from NRT. And, Palau is essentially an American protectorate. Independent but closely linked to the US for matters of foreign policy and defense. I imagine United will have cargo contracts, including a USPS contract as the USPS is the post office for Palau.
Have you considered the Nuuk market is mainly for local market traffic?
Also the "group series" market is going to eat this up...the EF's, etc... have you not noticed how much money people will spend to go to Antarctica? It's the exact same thing...but now easier and cheaper than Antarctica...
and that easy-ness makes it easy to degrade a millenia year old culture that they have still preserved there in greenland... antarctica has no culture.
you have no clue at how popular nuuk is going to be... ive been there, like 6 years ago, and seen the ramp up for myself. the airport expansion was surely a huge mistake, because, as you say, there's a huge shortage of hotels. good luck to them, because they're going to need it badly.
MIAT Mongolian had been sniffing around announcing service to San Francisco, with their new 787s, and several media sources jumped the gun. United might see this as away to further combat that.
MIAT absolutely dont have the capacity for it. not unless they get more than their current singular 787. they are running their fleet at max max capacity rn
This is what is called a subsidy strategy…
Whether it is
* national/regional tourist boards incentives
* US military commitments
* cruise line guarantees
* vacation package company guarantees
Fair play if they can make it work. The second these subsidies are gone most of the routes are likely gone.
It's surprising that Madeira is seasonal given that it's main selling point is the year-round pleasant weather. Still a nice addition to the network - locals probably won't be pleased, but definitely great for holidaymakers.
@ Samo -- Fair, but I think it's popular year-round with Europeans, where warm weather is hard to find in winter. Meanwhile Americans generally prefer to go to the Caribbean, Florida, or Hawaii.
Aha, so it's basically supposed to be a cold destination for Americans during the summer? That makes sense.
This is insane!
I can’t wait to go on at least 6 out of those new inaugural routes! I love United’s creativity… and i think it will resonate with those who love to travel & explore!
I’m Gold with SA and Diamond with Delta - but nothing in Skyteam (other than Air France) excites me!
Even OneWorld is becoming more interesting than ST.
Great job whoever plans United’s international network!
american will know just how to respond. add another flight to heathrow!
I just laughed out loud! Great hilarious comment!
The Tokyo-Mongolia flight surprises me because no Japanese airline operates that route
Which is why UA is operating it. They're staying out of ANA's way on these flights from Narita.
@Lucky, where did you read that United is "expanding the length of the season" for EWR-PMI? The press release just states they are increasing frequency to 4x weekly.
@ Evan -- Sorry, I should've said "expanding the length of the season or increasing frequencies." Fixed now, thanks!
Now is time to plan for a Nuuk-to-ULN trip all on 737s!
GOH-EWR-ORD-SFO-HNL-MAJ-KWA-KSA-PNI-TKK-GUM-NRT-UBN can be done all on united 737s! Throw in an extra stop in saipan or koror if you'd like, or could go through phillipines for eveything except the cebu to manila flight. Amazing!
For someone, if it's done by United, then it's foolish. If it's done by Delta, then it would be brilliant lol
UA is kicking DL and AA's @sses when it comes to international networks and route options.
reread the UA press release.
Most of these additions are seasonal and/or on narrowbody aircraft.
Not one of UA's routes are daily longhaul widebody routes.
DL is adding more long-term capacity solely with just one route announcement - its SLC-ICN route.
Adding dots to route maps might be sexy but a bunch of seasonal, narrowbody routes on a less than daily service is not going to shape UA's long-term destiny.
"Most of these additions are seasonal and/or on narrowbody aircraft.
Not one of UA's routes are daily longhaul widebody routes."
Versus flights that don't exist, flown by nothing? Not a hard choice.
That sound you are hearing are steam clouds coming out of DunnDunn's ears.
the only steam that is coming out of anyone's head is the people that are beginning to realize that UA just announced a bunch of seasonal, narrowbody, less than daily flights and not a single year round new widebody flight.
Which will always be better than the NO exclusive-country flights, that Delta DIDN'T launch, because it doesn't have the right size of aircraft with which to DO them.
At least United is giving their customers the CHOICE of a smaller nonstop, or a wide-body via a partner hub. Delta is FORCING a connection, ROBBING their customers of choice.
IAD-Dakar just announced is year round on a 767-300.
IAD-DSS is only thrice weekly. Ergo, it doesn’t count as a new route because “reasons.” -Tim Dunn
@Tim
Most rational people know all of that, and still seem pleased with this announcement.
aaron,
this route announcement is about adding dots to a route map - not about providing sustained widebody service.
nobody is diminishing what has been announced but when so many talk about the size of UA's widebody fleet and this includes ZERO daily new widebody service on a single route, the substance of what has been announced is notable. very notable.
@Tim - noted but didn't DL do the same sort of summer expansion despite so many A350s on the way? Thoughts?
I am wondering why united wont establish routes to star alliance hubs in africa / ME, like Istanbul, Cairo or Addis Ababa. This might help UA funnel passengers through to TK, MS or ET
I don't think UA has a great relationship with TK or MS. No codesharing.
Why does UA want to funnel passengers to TK? TK runs a massive connecting hub operation. It doesn't need UA's feed, nor does UA want to feed TK.
Alliance partners don't actually mean they aren't competitors.
As I have noted, the difference between UA’s route system and AA and DL’s is UA’s willingness to use narrowbody aircraft without direct aisle access on transatlantic flights over 8 hours and also UA’s ability to use narrowbody aircraft beyond NRT. Economically, DL couldn’t make that part of its Tokyo strategy work because DL’s pilots are all based on the US mainland while UA has the GUM base. KHH and Mongolia are cool additions to...
As I have noted, the difference between UA’s route system and AA and DL’s is UA’s willingness to use narrowbody aircraft without direct aisle access on transatlantic flights over 8 hours and also UA’s ability to use narrowbody aircraft beyond NRT. Economically, DL couldn’t make that part of its Tokyo strategy work because DL’s pilots are all based on the US mainland while UA has the GUM base. KHH and Mongolia are cool additions to NRT and help close the gap between the number of destinations offered from Tokyo and those offered from ICN.
Narita continues to leak local Tokyo traffic to Haneda so UA is trying to backfill beyond NRT traffic with new destinations. If UA has local market rights – which I would imagine they do – they could help to reduce the negative financial impact of the shrinking Tokyo hub. Narrowbody less-than-daily service isn’t going to have a huge impact compared to the amount of TPAC capacity but UA is fighting for the NRT hub so good for them. Tokyo TPAC is not growing for the big 3.
damn sounds like DL isnt as premium as UA huh? sucks to suck
Kirby and Quayle just kicked your homophobic CEO in the nads, Timbits. This is brilliant. UA is great, DL is incompetent. So who's the premium airline now, boy?
ORD... what is your problem? Where is this nonsensical Ed Bastian homophobia sentiment commentary coming from? Do you know anything about Delta's C suite?
Don't need to know anything, Max. His statements from a couple of weeks ago made it perfectly clear that he was a homophobe.
"the difference between UA’s route system and AA and DL’s is UA’s willingness to use narrowbody aircraft without direct aisle access on transatlantic flights over 8 hours"
Or, more realistically described:
United gives passengers the OPTION to CHOOSE whether they wish to go directly to their destination on a smaller aircraft, or take a widebody to a partner hub then connect.
Delta increasingly FORCES passengers to connect+backtrack, a concept that will only increase in occurrence...
"the difference between UA’s route system and AA and DL’s is UA’s willingness to use narrowbody aircraft without direct aisle access on transatlantic flights over 8 hours"
Or, more realistically described:
United gives passengers the OPTION to CHOOSE whether they wish to go directly to their destination on a smaller aircraft, or take a widebody to a partner hub then connect.
Delta increasingly FORCES passengers to connect+backtrack, a concept that will only increase in occurrence as Delta's smaller widebodies retire, forcing marginal destinations to upgauge or be cut.
@ Tim Dunn -- Duuuuude...
"UA’s willingness to use narrowbody aircraft without direct aisle access on transatlantic flights over 8 hours"
Will you apply this same standard to Delta's ex-LATAM A350s? So is the issue the lack of direct aisle access, or the lack of a narrow body?
"Narrowbody less-than-daily service isn’t going to have a huge impact"
Six of Delta's seven adds for the summer of 2025 are 3-4x weekly on smaller narrow bodies....
@ Tim Dunn -- Duuuuude...
"UA’s willingness to use narrowbody aircraft without direct aisle access on transatlantic flights over 8 hours"
Will you apply this same standard to Delta's ex-LATAM A350s? So is the issue the lack of direct aisle access, or the lack of a narrow body?
"Narrowbody less-than-daily service isn’t going to have a huge impact"
Six of Delta's seven adds for the summer of 2025 are 3-4x weekly on smaller narrow bodies. Do those have a huge impact, or no?
Poor Tim. He tries so hard, and just keeps failing with his comments.
I wonder how the KHH-NRT route will do on a 737-800.
Do people want to fly KHH-NRT (737-800) then NRT-United States? Or would they prefer to drive or take high speed rail to the Taipei area then TPE-United States non stop on a A350 / 787 / 777? Time difference is possibly minimal.
Guessing, KHH passengers will be quite a few originating from the United States and those originating from Taiwan will fly from TPE unless the fare is low.
Considering how much BR and CI charges on their KHH-NRT flights (operated by A321 and B738 respectively), I feel like UA will do alright on O/D traffic alone.
UA’s TPE-SFO flight departs TPE around 9am each morning, just a tad too early for those arriving from Kaohsiung via high speed rail — necessitating those travellers to head north the previous night and book an airport hotel, or take an overnight bus. So it’s great...
Considering how much BR and CI charges on their KHH-NRT flights (operated by A321 and B738 respectively), I feel like UA will do alright on O/D traffic alone.
UA’s TPE-SFO flight departs TPE around 9am each morning, just a tad too early for those arriving from Kaohsiung via high speed rail — necessitating those travellers to head north the previous night and book an airport hotel, or take an overnight bus. So it’s great seeing UA offering this alternative.
Plus, if your final destination is an UA hub, connecting in NRT is much less stressful than connecting at SFO (no passport control, rechecking bags, etc.).
Traveling to TPE from southern Taiwan is a hassle to some as the trip involves 2 train rides which take around 2.5 hours in total, and you need to move luggage between train stations. That is why Cathay is getting some transit traffic from KHH to North America via HKG even it is slightly back-tracked.
Also KHH-NRT alone is a route in a high demand which UA can be benefitted from the 5th freedom rights. Wishing them success on this route!
This could work. UA's been quite successful to Taiwan. I can see the case that connecting at NRT is nice since you'll get to freshen up at the UA Club or ANA lounge and then land exactly at your final destination vs flying into TPE and having to slog for 3 to 4 hours over to Kaohsiung and carry massive checked bags with you.
You also get to avoid some of the congestion from the TPE arrival banks.
Lost in the announcement - new daily service between Houston (IAH) and Puerto Escondido (PXM) kicking off on April 5th! Exciting expansion in many corners of the world.
Wow, I didn’t know. I love the Oaxaca coastline. Just down the road from Escondido is one of the best place I’ve ever experienced in life…and I’ve traveled the world… pure magic and still undiscovered…that coast is perfection. Okay, I’ll share…Zipolite….keep it between us…HUX is the closer airport, and UA/AA both fly there…
United doesn’t fly to hux, just aa
The Madeira route is actually surprising me very much. It has a relatively short runway and given the MTOW for a 737Max8, there's literally zero room for error. I recall that landing and taking off there was quite a thing as the runway is literally built on pillars and tucked between the ocean and a mountain range. Well worth the thrill if you don't have a heart condition. ;) Then go for a tasting of...
The Madeira route is actually surprising me very much. It has a relatively short runway and given the MTOW for a 737Max8, there's literally zero room for error. I recall that landing and taking off there was quite a thing as the runway is literally built on pillars and tucked between the ocean and a mountain range. Well worth the thrill if you don't have a heart condition. ;) Then go for a tasting of the local Madeira wine to flush away the adrenaline.
Also Greenland and Mongolia are awesome. I hope that some Americans actually will get out and visit these beautiful and desolate places and get some new perspectives on life. There's more than New York City and LA, you know... I've been there and, if you're lucky and it's clear at night, you may see the milky way in all its glory, or the northern lights in Greenland. The vast emptiness of the Gobi desert and the complete lack of infrastructure outside Ulanbataar will also be things people remember for life.
Agreed with Ben, this is by far the most adventurous and surprising announcement of the 'big three' and I really hope that they succeed!
Madeira actually has quite a long runway. It's certainly unique and interesting but runway length is not at all an issue. Many A330s have used it to fly to South America. The approach (not straight in, fully visiual, turn right beofre touchdown) is a far more unique bit.
In terms of MTOW difficulties, GOH will have a much shorter runway after the expansion and even airports like PDL and FAO are quite a but shorter.
9100ft is more than generous for a 7M8 going westbound at 2800nm, which would not require MTOW even if you factored in 10-15% contingency for prevailing winds + northern storms.
I can only see one, maybe two of these making money within 3-5 years. Take them while you can.
Damn United you suprise me here. Mongolia is really trending up and they’ve invested a lot into their tourism industry. United thinking ahead and seeing the future.
Living in Washington and struggled to book a flight without stop over to the south of France this past summer was a challenge now I can just leave from my house and be in Nice within a couple of hours. Dakar is also great with a ton...
Damn United you suprise me here. Mongolia is really trending up and they’ve invested a lot into their tourism industry. United thinking ahead and seeing the future.
Living in Washington and struggled to book a flight without stop over to the south of France this past summer was a challenge now I can just leave from my house and be in Nice within a couple of hours. Dakar is also great with a ton of Africans living in the DC area. Lots of safe expansions and cool routes, Greenland is open for Americans
I’ve always been wondering why there’s no direct flight between MXP and LAX/SFO and hoped UA could add one of them…
Used to be, on Air Italy for a hot minute before they went under in 2020. Good for Avios redemptions, heh.
Love this, especially the additions of Greenland and Mongolia.
Looking forward to the Nuuk review trip Ben - now you can fly in from Iqaluit and out to EWR.
I'd have Palermo higher up in the "cool table" - Sicily is a great destination.
So, United is not bring back its twice daily Brussels flight and will operate it next summer only as once daily again? Bummer...
Once again the Denver hub gets the shaft. When it comes to international service, Denver hub always gets treated like the bastard child.
Denver's altitude means that it's difficult for long haul flying since fuel burn is more significant at higher altitudes. Range is reduced and fuel efficiency suffers so it's difficult to fly longer distances economically.
That’s really only an issue for ULH flying i.e Oceania and parts of Asia. The point being is that UA won’t even operate high potential routes such DEN-AMS (one of the largest/if not largest unserved routes between US and EU), PUJ, FCO etc all of which have high demand.
All foreign carriers that have entered DEN have done well and expanded their schedules, Colorado’s economy has grown leaps and bounds and we are wondering why...
That’s really only an issue for ULH flying i.e Oceania and parts of Asia. The point being is that UA won’t even operate high potential routes such DEN-AMS (one of the largest/if not largest unserved routes between US and EU), PUJ, FCO etc all of which have high demand.
All foreign carriers that have entered DEN have done well and expanded their schedules, Colorado’s economy has grown leaps and bounds and we are wondering why UA doesn’t seem to want to compete and utilize their massive operations at DEN. They clearly like to experiment with remote and exotic routes with limited demand (Nuuk, really?). We really don’t want to be shunted through clusterf**k ORD or EWR for routes that DEN could easily support nonstop.
Fuel burn is actually BETTER at higher altitude. Thrust generation (lb/ft) is however decreased.
As such, the issue is getting off the runway before exceeding (1) runway length and/or (2) tire rotation-speed limit, not burning more fuel.
That requires you to...
Fuel burn is actually BETTER at higher altitude. Thrust generation (lb/ft) is however decreased.
As such, the issue is getting off the runway before exceeding (1) runway length and/or (2) tire rotation-speed limit, not burning more fuel.
That requires you to either lower payload (reject pax or cargo) thus affecting revenue, or lower fuel (thus restricting destinations)
DEN's primary purpose is to serve as a mid-continent domestic connector, which it does with aplomb (for 3 different airlines at that).
But due to (1) comparatively low longhaul demand, relative to coastal hubs; (2) geography that requires TATL/TPAC routes to overfly half the country in either direction; and (3) restrictive elevation..... DEN will never have anything but secondary consideration, when it comes to longhaul additions by UA.
You should update the map image to show the IAD-VCE and IAD-NCE routes!
Service to Nuuk is wild.
Very nice, underscores the strong footing UA has secured for itself relative to its domestic competition!
Some folks thought it would include SFO-BKK. As if Thailand isn’t still FAA Category II
IASA Category II classification, does not affect foreign carriers operating *into* the downgraded nation with their own metal. UA's only restriction would be that it couldn't codeshare with TG.
TG (or any other Thai carrier) however, could not launch new flights to the USA nor codeshare with a US airline.
Ben, please inform about the staffing of an off shore hub like NRT. (I remember transiting in NRT for United flights to SIN and BKK.) I want to know its history & how you predict its future.
Pretty sure this will be Guam based crews. Japan to Guam demand has cratered due to the wea yen, so UA needs to send its Guam aircraft and crews somewhere.
Disappointed that BKK was not included in UA's expansion plans. Use to take UA's early morning flight to Narita.
As for Guam, how about a return to Cairns, Queensland? I remember flying a Continental 737 from Guam to Cairns. Great to fly into Cairns, instead of backtracking through Brisbane or Sydney!
When are these flights bookable? I can't find GOH airport when searching on United.
The routes from Tokyo are fifth freedom flights?
United has had a major hub at Tokyo for decades, I believe.
Great news. When do they generally open bookings after announcing these new routes?
How “United “ will these flight feel in terms of crew etc is venture most of these routes will feel like flying a foreign carrier with United branding
What?
Huh? They'll be UA aircraft and crew (likely Guam based).
but someone has been on such a rant lately talking about the death of the Narita hub...? how is this possible?! (eye roll)
The last thing Europe needs in the summer is more nonstop flights from the United States of Genocide. Yuck yuck yuck.
Good point. No genocides have ever occurred in Europe. Moron!
I wonder what will be a diversion airport for that Greenland flight..
@ Marcin -- Kangerlussuaq Airport (SFJ) is able to accommodate large jets, as that's Greenland's largest existing airport, and it's under 200 miles away.
Im torn on Bilbao and Palermo. Not having nonstop service kept them more off the US radar.
UNITED rising though
In the press release you quoted, United also announced that they will add new service from Tokyo/Narita to Koror, Palau without specific launch date.
« United will add a year-round, nonstop flight between Tokyo/Narita-Koror, Palau. United is the only U.S. airline to serve Palau, with its existing service from Guam and Manila, and this new flight will enable easy one-stop connections for travelers coming from the U.S. to experience the pristine marine ecosystems. With nearly 350...
In the press release you quoted, United also announced that they will add new service from Tokyo/Narita to Koror, Palau without specific launch date.
« United will add a year-round, nonstop flight between Tokyo/Narita-Koror, Palau. United is the only U.S. airline to serve Palau, with its existing service from Guam and Manila, and this new flight will enable easy one-stop connections for travelers coming from the U.S. to experience the pristine marine ecosystems. With nearly 350 islands in Palau, visitors can plan the ultimate underwater adventure with snorkeling or scuba diving to see the diverse coral and fish in the Pacific. »
@ A_Japanese -- Just went ahead and added that to the post as well. There was so much to discuss here. Quite a contrast to the American and Delta additions.
These are exciting. Some logical additions (IAD-DKR, IAD-NCE, EWR-PMO, EWR-FARO). Nuuk likely won't last more than a season. Ulan-Baatar? Probably not going to either. Simply too niche.
@ shoeguy -- It's possible you're right, though keep in mind that the Tokyo flights can also serve the local market. Tokyo to Ulaanbaatar currently has up to two daily flights, so there's some demand there. The demand doesn't all have to be from people originating in the US.
Really excited to have options for Mongolia. In the summer peak season there is really tough to get good prices or seats from/to Ulaanbaatar. The airfare costs at least 300$ one-way between Ulaanbaatar -Japan/Korea and hard to find seats.
I'm not sure. Mongolia is opening up for foreigners and waived the visa requirements for quite a few nationalities. It has more to offer than just some bragging rights for adventurers. The nature, the people, the culture and the complete lack of infrastructure really make it something completely different. I've been there some years ago and really wish to go back some day. It's inspiring.
Besides that, Mongolia apparently has quite some (rare) natural resources...
I'm not sure. Mongolia is opening up for foreigners and waived the visa requirements for quite a few nationalities. It has more to offer than just some bragging rights for adventurers. The nature, the people, the culture and the complete lack of infrastructure really make it something completely different. I've been there some years ago and really wish to go back some day. It's inspiring.
Besides that, Mongolia apparently has quite some (rare) natural resources to offer, so one can expect increased business demand from companies willing to develop some sites and harvest the riches. The economy of Mongolia isn't the best in the world so every penny is welcome there.
haha... how wrong you are! nuuk and ulaanbaatar are BOOMING for tourism right now. its literally through the roof and there's not enough capacity, especially not in nuuk. there wasnt enough capacity for tourism there 6 years ago when i visited, it was already so popular. wait and see... when other airlines start to realise how profitable and high-demand nuuk is, they will all be clamouring to start flights there, further increasing mass tourism and...
haha... how wrong you are! nuuk and ulaanbaatar are BOOMING for tourism right now. its literally through the roof and there's not enough capacity, especially not in nuuk. there wasnt enough capacity for tourism there 6 years ago when i visited, it was already so popular. wait and see... when other airlines start to realise how profitable and high-demand nuuk is, they will all be clamouring to start flights there, further increasing mass tourism and degrading the unique culture they have there. its quite sad.
Yay
My prayers have been heard
I Live in Greenland and have a vacation planned in the US next summer, so this is great great news :D
Just curious, of the other 17 people in Greenland, how many read OMAAT?
"I mean, six of the eight routes are operated by narrow body jets, and four of them don’t even have flat beds"
Seems worth highlighting which routes will (and won't) offer lie flat service.
@ ECR12 -- Went ahead and updated the post to add that. The 757s have flat beds, while the 737s don't. I suspect the forward cabin on the 737s will be sold as premium economy, though.
Amazing. UA is so far ahead of its peers when it comes to its international network.
You forgot to mention that they're also adding service from IAD to VCE and NCE, not new destinations but still cool routes.
And there are rumors of a new Southeast Asian destination (BKK, SGN, or KUL) from SFO soon.
Well the UA boss did say they're looking at ex-West Coast expansion later in the year, so round #54325435 of BKK, SGN, etc rumours could begin then. Though BKK/Thailand are still classified as Cat II in IOSA safety, so there may be some clarification if it's just the Thailand carriers (or if it includes the US carriers) that are effectively 'barred' from starting ULH service between BKK and Mainland USA until Thailand are upgraded to Cat I.
But but but… DeLtA pRoFiTaBiLiTy
All of the new EWR routes are fantastic. Well done United!
I also agree with this comment
"Second of all, there’s something to be said for the overall halo effect of having an unrivaled, global network. If United can keep using this as a point of differentiation, I think it’ll make more people loyal to the airline."
I have AA PL Pro status from non-flight activity. I'd switch to United status if they adopt a similar scheme.
Depends on the UA credit card you have. I have the Club Infinite card, and I receive a decent number of PQPs from my purchases. It's given me a good boost when combined with my flight activity, and you have United Club membership. Yes, you still have to fly to get status.