If you ask me, or anyone who is even borderline objective, United Airlines has by far the most interesting route network of any US carrier (United flies to the most destinations and most countries of any US carrier), and the airline keeps expanding.
In recent years, United has made a game of allowing the public to guess new routes, and I sure enjoy playing along. Here’s the latest example of that, as the airline is planning a big route announcement tomorrow.
In this post:
United announcing new international routes on Tuesday
At 7AM ET on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, United will be announcing new routes that will launch at some point in 2027. United has posted a 94-second video on social media, described as a “trailer” for “The Cabin: Destination Decoded.” This is essentially framed as a game show of sorts, where contestants have to find clues to guess the new destinations… how fun!
Separately, United’s awesome SVP of Global Network Planning and Alliances, Patrick Quayle, posted a video on his Instagram page, where he’s promising that “it’s going to be a big one this year.”
I have to give United credit for consistently having unique videos about route announcements that engage people. Just as an example, below is the video from last year.
What new global routes will United introduce?
For some context, United usually has two big route announcements per year, as it relates to long haul flights. Typically in the fall, United announces new transatlantic flying for summer, while in the spring, United announces new long haul flying for winter.
The fall announcement is bigger than the spring announcement, given the seasonality of flying. What’s interesting is that this year, United is making the announcement several weeks earlier than in the past — heck, it’s still summer, and isn’t even the fall. It’s also beating both American and Delta to the typical fall announcement.
It’s hard to imagine how much more United could grow, given how massive its network is already. However, we should actually see a good amount of long haul growth:
- I imagine a major aspect of this announcement will be new Airbus A321XLR routes, a recent addition to United’s fleet; this plane will primarily fly to Europe, so expect some new markets there, and also expect the A321XLR to replace wide bodies in some markets
- United is also taking delivery of a good number of new Boeing 787-9s in an ultra premium configuration, so while those will almost certainly be used primarily for existing routes, this will open up 777s and 787s to operate other routes
Make of this what you will, but an X user put together a great list of possible new routes, just based on demand numbers, aircraft range, etc., and I’d say those are probably some great guesses.
Now, on to the actual clues in the video… this is trickier than in years past when it comes to “decoding” the routes, in my opinion. I’m still trying to come up with my predictions based on the video, and if I come up with anything, I’ll be sure to update this post. I trust that collectively OMAAT readers will be able to draw some conclusions based on the above, so please do chime in with your take!
Bottom line
United Airlines is teasing new routes that will be announced tomorrow. The clue video comes in the form of a competition style show, where contestants are supposed to “decode” the new routes, based on some clues. It’s anyone’s guess what United will add, though we should see a good number of new routes, thanks to the number of A321XLRs and 787-9s joining the fleet, with routes likely launching ahead of or during the summer 2027 season.
What routes do you think United will announce?
I am 100% confident they will announce IAD FNJ double daily .......since rump thinks his boyfriend Kim Jung Un is such a great guy.
How about ORD to one of the cities in England but outside London? Maybe restarting service to Birmingham, or launching a new route to Manchester?
United further cementing its status as THE global USA flag carrier - and it’s not even close
Selfishly hoping for EWR-IST, not that the on board product would be better than TK, but a lack of PE on TK is a bummer as well as the super late departure time. Doubt it happens, US airlines haven't bothered competing since DL left ~2016.
Yields would also be tough on that route - TK simply has a more extensive network into the US, a lower cost structure, better experience, and more connections onwards from IST.
Ideas:
1. DEN-ZRH: Edelweiss dropped it this year over fuel costs. Video claims "Alliances are formed" and ZRH is a huge Star Alliance Feeder. AMS and CDG also make sense, but Zurich seems like a market that has proven to be successful before.
2. LAX-SIN/MNL could be good candidates, both have strong markets and yields (Especially after lower competition from Chinese airlines post-Covid which could improve yields)
3. EWR-CPH: Huge spike in...
Ideas:
1. DEN-ZRH: Edelweiss dropped it this year over fuel costs. Video claims "Alliances are formed" and ZRH is a huge Star Alliance Feeder. AMS and CDG also make sense, but Zurich seems like a market that has proven to be successful before.
2. LAX-SIN/MNL could be good candidates, both have strong markets and yields (Especially after lower competition from Chinese airlines post-Covid which could improve yields)
3. EWR-CPH: Huge spike in demand, and AA/DL already serve it and their planes are packed. An XLR seems logical
4. EWR-WAW could also be a good route, as increasing demand for Poland and connectivity on both ends (IST also a good idea but not sure yields would be great)
5. Would love to see a 2nd daily service to DEL or SFO-DEL/BLR but consumes too many planes to make it work
Bologna? No way. AA failed spectacularly with that one. Unlikely an XLR will make a difference.
Another operator on LAX-MNL? Another failure waiting to happen.
Demand changes often; EK is able to make BLQ work and United may be able to also. Also, the XLR may just be able to capture all demand available (and capture new demand from the route).
Concur with MNL. LAX simply doesn't have the connectivity SFO has and LAX-MNL would steal SFO-MNL traffic and lose money (Especially compared to lower priced Asian carriers)
Hoping for EWR-MLE (I know, I know... long-shot)
For a 'review' of the new MLE Terminal 1 arrival experience... onemileatatime.com/community-stories/male-velana-airport-new-terminal-1-international-arrivals/ *wink*
If DEN gets a new TATL flight that means its coming at the expense on some existing route. I hope the FCO route survives.
Focusing on DEN, AMS would be cool. It would be great to add another country to our direct-flight list.
However, my guess for DEN would be CDG. I believe the Air France flight has done well here (at least it keeps returning seasonally), and UA doesn't like to cede territory to others out of DEN (they've duplicated both BA and LH schedules, for instance)
Less likely: DEN to DUB. Aer Lingus won't be returning...
Focusing on DEN, AMS would be cool. It would be great to add another country to our direct-flight list.
However, my guess for DEN would be CDG. I believe the Air France flight has done well here (at least it keeps returning seasonally), and UA doesn't like to cede territory to others out of DEN (they've duplicated both BA and LH schedules, for instance)
Less likely: DEN to DUB. Aer Lingus won't be returning next year, but I could see UA making it work with more connections on this end
Finally, why not Iceland? DEN to KEF seems like a great use of the XLR. And Icelandair does well here, based on the fact that they sometimes have 2x daily flights in peak season.
Think ZRH might be likely. Tons of connectivity on both sides and Edelweiss flew this route before fuel prices spiked, so there was definitely demand. ZRH is also a pretty premium market so United could make it work (Only issue is CDG/AMS would have more demand than ZRH, despite ZRH commanding higher fares)
I'd love to see it, but I don't think there is a lot of point to point traffic there, and the DEN market isn't overly premium (hence why we're still waiting on our Polaris lounge).
It's been a while since I've seen the most underserved market list for DEN, comprising the cities with the most traffic between them yet isn't served with a direct flight. I remember AMS was at the top of that...
I'd love to see it, but I don't think there is a lot of point to point traffic there, and the DEN market isn't overly premium (hence why we're still waiting on our Polaris lounge).
It's been a while since I've seen the most underserved market list for DEN, comprising the cities with the most traffic between them yet isn't served with a direct flight. I remember AMS was at the top of that list once, which I think adds weight to that argument.
Someone else mentioned hoping Rome wouldn't be cut. Based on prior numbers, I wouldn't think so, but who knows, my information is outdated. And it's all relative. Not where there is strong demand, but strongest and highest margin compared to other opportunities.
The entire video is Survivor themed. Survivor home base is Fiji, could we be seeing a NAN route announcement?
Oneworld dominated...Already faces low fares from Fiji Airways who can easily offer a transit onwards to Australia. More connectivity onwards from NAN than from the US to a US hub to NAN
I'm really hoping for something unique and fun (a la GOH and UBN). I'd love FAE or DSS or somewhere in the Canaries. Flights from HKG or NRT to more Asian destinations would be fun too. They have to be announcing something in Scandinavia though, right?
Please no FAE. The place cannot handle an influx of Americans.
IBZ
LUX
CDG
GOT
My Guess: DEN-AMS and SFO-SGN
Jacksonville to Paris? The 3-7-4 in the cards might be code for CGD. The first card is a Jack, not sure what the final 3 card means.
That kerchief has a five-petal flower on it that might be a reference to Hong Kong’s stylized, five-petaled white Bauhinia blakeana orchid.
… but it’s CDG, not CGD…
Jacksonville? Seriously, what are some of you guys smoking?
Eh
No baltics again :/
You could easily fill up a 767 or A321XLR to RIX during summer. BT could provide connections / feeder routes. Even with smaller fleet they are regoinal powerhouse @RIX.
Why do US airlines chooses to ignore this region?
That's 3 really nice countries that most people in the US have never heard of. With a bit of marketing there should be enough demand for a 321XLR. Can Riga/Vilnius/Tallinn handle a wide-body, though? Any connection through Riga would be going backwards, unfortunately. Sort of like Turkish sometimes showing up as the cheapest option from US to France.
"Why do US airlines chooses to ignore this region?"
Because the fares are comparatively weak, demand is lopsided, and 99% of USAmericans who aren't in the Northeast, Chicago, or L.A., wouldn't know Riga/Vilnius/Tallinn from a hole in the ground.
United really needs to get a San Francisco to Warsaw route going; the polish airline has a monopoly on non-stop US travel and could really use another choice.
The market that needs it most is DTW-WAW, and it would be golden opportunity because the XLR is right-sized for this route, but unfortunately that's only a focus city for United.
BTW, big WTF that you need to sign up for "connections" from this site to post now.....
I agree, but just to point out DTW is not even a focus city for United. It is just a spoke on the map with service only to their hubs (except LAX). DTW is dominated by Delta and they (Delta) would never allow this from UA anyway.
Wow! I thought for sure it was a focus city. It really should be (at a minimum). I don't think Delta would have a standing to block it because it's not in their terminal and DTW is not slot constrained (and it's not like Delta is going to dehub from Detroit at any time in the near future to threaten that). The only scenario in which I would see a block succeeding is if Delta started the route themselves, which would still likely be a win.
WAW or KRK would easily work from ORD and EWR. AA was supposed to start KRK in 2020.
LO is a great airline tho, and will be even more so with the new seats. United would be purely for Americans so who knows about demand.
I'm guessing the 5XL tag means that there are five new xlr routes?
The handkerchief was probably hinting at a dutch (or perhaps Scandinavian) destination.
...and someone was had a Stroopwafel in their hand.
They don't involve Chicago, so who cares?
Welcome back! ;-)
sorry im not interested in cool new routes to take fun vacations and enjoy life and experience fun things and eat great food, call me when earnings come out. PROFITS is the only thing that matters in life
Does your back hurt carrying that much water for multi-billion dollar corporations?
sometimes i think the bot allegations really are true man. if you couldnt tell this was sarcasm I think you might be beyond help
Tengo claro que una de las rutas es a Valencia en España, ese zoom a las naranjas es inequivoco.
EWR - VLC es mi apuesta
Sevilla...
lololololololololol shaming me at my own game