United Airlines Adds Wave Of International Flights From Newark

NEWARK, NJ — United Airlines is launching several new international flights out of New Jersey, the company says.

On Thursday, the airline announced that it is getting ready to embark on the largest international expansion in its history.

Starting in May 2025, United will launch five new nonstop flights from its hub in Newark/New York to the following destinations:

• Nuuk, Greenland
• Palermo, Italy
• Bilbao, Spain
• Madeira Island, Portugal
• Faro, Portugal

The airline will also increase the number of weekly direct flights between Newark/New York-Palma de Mallorca, Spain, Newark/New York-Dubrovnik, Croatia, and Newark/New York-Athens, Greece.

Other international expansions will include three new nonstop routes from Washington D.C./Dulles – including United’s first-ever flight to Dakar, Senegal operating year-round – and new seasonal nonstop flights to Nice, France and Venice, Italy.

United is also adding new direct flights from Tokyo-Narita to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia and Kaohsiung – destinations no other U.S. airline serves – and a new nonstop flight to Koror, Palau. These new flights will “seamlessly” connect in Tokyo to United's transpacific services to five hub locations in the continental United States, spokespeople said.

The new routes are subject to government approvals, United noted.

In total next summer, United will offer 800 daily flights to and from 147 international destinations, the company reported.

TRAVELING THE WORLD

United provided the following background information about some of the new destinations it will be flying to:

Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

United will be the only U.S. airline to serve Mongolia, with seasonal nonstop service from Tokyo/Narita launching May 1. According to the country's new Welcome to MonGOlia campaign, Ulaanbaatar is the gateway to some of the most untouched lands of Mongolia, which offers reindeer sleigh rides, camel racing and dramatic landscapes, perfect for adventurous travelers.

Nearly half a million people visited Mongolia so far in 2024, up 25% compared to 2023, as the country continues to trend as one of the top places to visit in Asia. Most of that increase has come from Europe, South Korea and Japan – and United's new service from Tokyo/Narita flights will give Americans a new, easy way to visit.

Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Starting July 11, United will be the only U.S. airline to offer direct service to Kaohsiung, Taiwan, a city known for its modern urban landscape, historical harbor and breathtaking nature. From its expansive street art scene to iconic sites, like the Pier-2 Art Center, Love River and Lotus Pond, the city is rich with activities for nature lovers and culture enthusiasts.

United's new year-round service from Tokyo/Narita will provide an easy one-stop option for American travelers looking to visit the city, and complements the airline's twice-daily, nonstop service between San Francisco-Taipei.

Dakar, Senegal

With United's nonstop Washington/Dulles-Senegal flight, launching May 23, United will now fly to more destinations in Africa than any other U.S. carrier. Centrally located on Africa's west coastline, Dakar is the gateway to Africa with pristine beaches, lush forests and rich archaeological history.

This year-round, three-times weekly service builds on the airline's existing service to Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa; Accra, Ghana and Lagos, Nigeria and seasonal service to Marrakesh, Morocco; United's new service to Dakar will help further Africa's growing tourism industry, which has seen 13% more arrivals in the first quarter this year compared to the same period in 2023 according to the UN Tourism.

Nuuk, Greenland

Travelers will now have direct access to arctic adventure in Greenland via twice weekly seasonal service to its capital city, Nuuk from Newark/New York starting June 14. United will be the only carrier to connect the U.S. directly to Nuuk – the northernmost capital in the world, providing a gateway to world-class hiking and fascinating wildlife under the summer's midnight sun.

Nuuk's new international airport will open next month, and United's new direct flights will make Greenland more accessible than ever for American travelers with a nonstop flight just over four hours long.

Palermo, Italy

United will serve five destinations in Italy beginning May 21 with the launch of its three-times weekly seasonal nonstop service between Newark/New York-Palermo. Travelers will be able to experience Sicily's rich history, luxurious beaches and stunning architecture – including the famed Baroque church, Casa Professa, and Italy's largest opera house, The Massimo.

This new flight builds on United's existing service to Venice, Naples, Milan and Rome, including the only U.S. carrier serving Italy from the West Coast. The flight will operate on a Boeing 767-400, making United the only airline with lie-flat Business Class seats between the U.S. and Palermo. With the surging travel demand to Italy anticipated to continue into 2025, United will now offer more access to the country than ever before with a direct link to the most popular destination in Sicily.

Bilbao, Spain

United is expanding its leading network in Spain and will be the only U.S. airline with nonstop service to Bilbao, with service from Newark/New York launching May 31. As the largest city in the Spanish Basque Country, Bilbao is a hub of architecture, culture and cuisine. From visiting the iconic Guggenheim Museum to enjoying famous Basque pinxtos, this Spanish gem gives an avant-garde city experience and connects visitors to the incredible landscapes of Northern Spain, including coastal destinations, like Gexto and Donostia-San Sebastian.

United serves six destinations in Spain – the most of any U.S. carrier – and is the only carrier to directly connect Palma de Mallorca, Tenerife, Malaga, and Bilbao to the U.S., in addition to its service to Barcelona and Madrid. According to the Basque Country Tourism, 2024 was a historical year of travel to the region, and United's new three times weekly flight will provide unparalleled access to Northern Spain.

Madeira Island and Faro, Portugal

Next summer, United will now serve five destinations in Portugal – the most of any U.S. carrier – and is the only U.S. airline serving Porto, Ponta Delgada, Madeira Island and Faro. The new service to Faro will have four times weekly flights starting May 16, and Maderia Island will have three times weekly flights starting June 7. This builds on United's existing service to Lisbon from Newark/New York and Washington/Dulles. Both new seasonal flights will be served from United's hub at Newark/New York.

The World Travel & Tourism Council 2024 Economic Impact Research predicted 2024 would be a historic year for tourism in Portugal, and that momentum is expected to continue into 2025. For the first time, customers will have direct access to Maderia Island – a tropical escape known for its towering cliffs, seaside towns, green mountains, natural pools, waterfalls and beaches – and Faro, which provides access to the Algarve region's famed stretches of beaches, golden cliffs, luxurious spas, thermal baths and internationally acclaimed golf courses.

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site. Don’t forget to visit the Patch Newark Facebook page.