United Airlines Begins Largest Transatlantic Expansion in its History

(27 April 2022, 11:35 +07)  United Airlines has embarked on the largest transatlantic expansion in its history.

In total, United will launch or resume 30 transatlantic flights from mid-April through early June 2022.

This includes adding new nonstop flights to five leisure destinations no other North American airline serves including Amman, Jordan; Bergen, Norway; Azores, Portugal; Palma de Mallorca, Spain and Tenerife in the Spanish Canary Islands.

The airline is also launching five new nonstop flights to some of Europe's most popular business and tourist hubs including London, Milan, Zurich, Munich and Nice.

A further fourteen Atlantic routes will be resumed by the airline, adding frequencies to six others.

United Airlines B767 reg: N676UA. Picture by Steven Howard of TravelNewsAsia.com

With this expansion, United will serve more transatlantic destinations than every other U.S. carrier combined and will be the largest airline across the Atlantic for the first time in history. United's transatlantic route network will also be more than 25% larger than it was in 2019.

"We have long anticipated a strong demand recovery, evidenced by our large, strategic expansion in Europe, and with these new flights, we're proud to offer our customers more options and access than ever before," said Patrick Quayle, senior vice president of international network and alliances at United. "United continues to leverage its leading global network in new and exciting ways to help our customers make meaningful memories and experience new cultures around the world."

Amman, Jordan: United will begin the new capital to capital service between Washington, D.C./Dulles and Amman, Jordan on 5 May. United is the first airline to offer nonstop service between Amman and Washington D.C./Dulles and will be the only North American carrier flying to Amman with a thrice weekly service using Boeing 787-8 aircraft.

Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal: United will add a third Portuguese destination to its global network with brand new flights between New York/Newark and Ponta Delgada in the Azores beginning 13 May. United will operate the route with brand-new Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft that features the airline's new signature interior with enhanced seat back entertainment, Bluetooth connectivity and overhead bin space for every customer.

Bergen, Norway: Beginning 20 May, United will become the only U.S. carrier to fly to Norway with flights launching between New York/Newark and Bergen. United will offer thrice weekly service using Boeing 757-200 aircraft.

Palma de Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain: United is expanding its Spanish beach getaway destinations with thrice weekly flights between New York/Newark and Palma de Mallorca in the Balearic Islands, launching 2 June with Boeing 767-300ER. The service will add to United's existing flights to Madrid and Barcelona.

Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain: United will be the only airline to fly nonstop between the Canary Islands and North America with thrice weekly service launching 9 June on Boeing 757-200 aircraft.

Expanded European Service

In light of the increased demand for European travel, United is also launching new service to some of Europe's most iconic cities, including:

New daily flights between Boston and London Heathrow, which began on 14 April, and is United's only trans-oceanic point-to-point flight from Boston. This flight complements United's nonstop service to London Heathrow from all seven of United's hubs.

New daily flights between Denver and Munich, which began 23 April and joins existing service from Denver to Frankfurt and London. United is the only U.S. airline to offer transatlantic service from Denver.

New daily flights between Chicago and Zurich, which began 23 April. United now offers more nonstop service between Switzerland and the U.S. than any other U.S. airline, and is the only U.S. airline with nonstop service to Geneva.

New daily flights between New York/Newark and Nice, beginning 29 April.

New daily flights between Chicago and Milan, beginning 6 May, joining existing seasonal flights between Chicago and Rome.

In addition to these new flights, United is increasing service to popular European travel destinations, including:

Second daily flights between New York/Newark and Dublin, which began 23 April.

Second daily flights between Denver and London Heathrow, beginning 7 May.

Second daily flight between New York/Newark and Frankfurt, beginning 26 May.

Second flight between New York/Newark and Rome five times weekly, beginning 27 May.

Adding a third daily flight between San Francisco and London Heathrow and increasing service between New York/Newark and London Heathrow to seven daily flights, beginning 28 May. With this additional service, United will offer 22 daily nonstop flights from the U.S. to London Heathrow.

In addition to these European routes, United is also growing its presence in Africa as part of this transatlantic expansion. On 8 May, United will increase its service to offer daily flights between Washington/Dulles and Accra, Ghana.

The airline will also extend its existing seasonal service to Cape Town to year-round, with nonstop flights from New York/Newark resuming 5 June, subject to government approval