United Announces Largest International Expansion Ever With Flights to Sicily, Mongolia, Greenland, and More

15.10.2024 - 16:49 / travelandleisure.com / Patrick Quayle

United Airlines will launch flights in eight brand-new cities next year, marking what the airline called the largest international expansion in its history.

For the first time, the carrier will launch flights to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia; Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Nuuk, Greenland; Palermo, Italy; Bilbao, Spain; Madeira, Portugal; Faro, Portugal; and Dakar, Senegal, United shared with Travel + Leisure. The airline will fly to most of these destinations from either its hub at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) or from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).

“No other airline gives customers nonstop access to as many unique international destinations and experiences from the U.S. as United,” Patrick Quayle, the senior vice president of global network planning and alliances, said in a statement shared with T+L. “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.”

Starting May 21, United will launch service between Newark and Palermo three times each week. The airline will operate the flights on a Boeing 767-400 aircraft, which it said would make it the only carrier to offer lie-flat business class seats between the United States and Palermo.

Then on May 31, the airline will start offering nonstop flights from Newark to Bilbao in Spain. And on  May 16, United will launch flights four times each week to Faro, followed by flights three times each week to Madeira on June 7. United currently flies to Lisbon from both Newark and Washington D.C.

Travelers will also have an easier time getting to Greenland thanks to new planned service to the capital of Nuuk from Newark on June 14. With that flight, United said it would become the only airline to connect the U.S. directly with Nuuk.

From Washington D.C., United will start flying to both Venice on May 22 and Nice on May 24. The carrier already flies to both cities from Newark. The airline will also launch service from Washington to a new destination in Dakar on May 23.

And from Tokyo, the airline will now fly to both Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and Kaohsiung, Taiwan, starting May 1 and July 11, respectively.

In addition, United said it plans to bring back some of its seasonal flights, including Athens and Barcelona, as well as increase its direct service to Dubrovnik to daily flights.

Beyond this expansion, United is also adding other flights to destinations like Dominica in the Caribbean and Marrakech.