United Airlines to Increase Flights to Europe; Applauds EU Council's Updates

United Airlines has applauded Spain for its decision to reopen travel to vaccinated visitors beginning 7 June.

On Thursday, the European Union Council formally announced that EU Member States can reopen to tourists who have received the last recommended dose of an EMA approved vaccine at least 14 days before arrival.

United is expanding its service to Europe this summer, including new routes to Dubrovnik, Croatia; Reykjavik, Iceland and Athens, Greece, as well as adding more flights into Frankfurt, Munich and Brussels.

This summer, the airline expects to operate over 30 daily flights to 16 destinations in Europe, including service between New York/Newark and Barcelona and Madrid.

"The EU Council's recommendation represents the turning of the page in the pandemic for our customers, employees and residents of the EU, and brings us all closer to reuniting the world," said Patrick Quayle, vice president of international network and alliances at United. "In addition to offering service to more destinations in Europe than any other U.S. carrier, only United allows customers to easily upload vaccine records and testing results to our app making international travel much easier."

United is increasing flights across Europe and will operate the following routes to European countries which have recently announced plans to welcome tourists who meet the destination requirements:

Italy:

* United will increase flights between New York/Newark and Rome to daily in July
* United will increase flights between New York/Newark and Milan to daily in July

United's flights from New York/Newark and Rome and Milan are part of Italy's COVID-tested flights program - customers traveling on these flights can avoid self-isolation and must present a negative PCR or rapid antigen test result, performed no more than 48 hours prior to departure and a negative antigen test on arrival.

Spain:

* United will resume 5x weekly service between New York/Newark and Barcelona beginning in July
* United will resume 6x weekly service between New York/Newark and Madrid beginning in July

United also recently partnered with Abbott so that international travelers can take a CDC-approved test with them, self-administer while abroad, and return home to the U.S. without having to find and pay for one abroad.

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