Today, United Airlines revealed its most extensive international expansion in its 98-year history, adding eight new destinations to its Summer 2025 schedule.
With these new routes, United is setting itself up for its most ambitious summer schedule ever, flying to more international destinations than any other U.S. airline.
Next summer, United will launch service to Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia), Kaohsiung (Taiwan), Nuuk (Greenland), Palermo (Italy), Bilbao (Spain), Madeira Island (Portugal), Faro (Portugal), and Dakar (Senegal). This list of new destinations is a massive expansion for the Chicago-based carrier, pushing into new regions while bolstering its position in existing European, Asian, and African markets.
United Airlines Will Become the First U.S. Carrier to Fly to Greenland
Amid a growing tourism industry in the Danish territory of Greenland, United will operate to Greenland for the first time in its history. In fact, it will become the first time a U.S. airline has ever had scheduled service to the world’s largest island.
Service to Nuuk will begin on 14 June. Nuuk is the capital of Greenland and plans to open its new international airport next month. Typically, flights to Greenland operate to Kangerlussuaq Airport (SFJ), where travelers can connect via Iceland or Denmark. Air Greenland, headquartered in Nuuk, operates its long-haul international flights to Denmark from Kangerlussuaq. The opening of Nuuk International Airport (GOH) will make this remote Arctic destination–just over four hours from New York– more accessible than ever. As the only nonstop U.S. service to Greenland, travelers will enjoy a rare opportunity to explore one of the world’s most pristine natural environments.
United will operate the seasonal, twice-weekly flight from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) with a Boeing 737 MAX 8.
Mainland Europe Will See Boosted United Service
In addition to Nuuk, United’s Summer 2025 expansion plans include several other exciting European destinations.
Italy: The carrier will launch its first-ever service to the Italian island of Sicily. New flights to Palermo’s Falcone Borsellino Airport (PMO) will begin on 21 May aboard a Boeing 767-400 from EWR. This seasonal, thrice-weekly service puts Palermo in United’s growing portfolio of Italian destinations, including Rome, Milan, Naples, and Venice.
Spain: Travelers heading to northern Spain’s Basque Country can now book direct flights to Bilbao starting on 31 May. United will operate this seasonal route three times a week from EWR, complementing its existing service to other Spanish cities like Palma de Mallorca, Tenerife, and Barcelona. United will operate a Boeing 757-200 on the route.
Portugal: United is also expanding its service to Portugal, adding two new destinations: Madeira Island and Faro. Flights to Madeira’s Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport (FNC) will begin on 7 June aboard a Boeing 737 MAX 8, while service to Faro International Airport (FAO) in the Algarve region will launch on 16 May aboard a Boeing 757-200. Both routes will operate out of EWR, giving travelers more access to Portugal’s stunning coastlines, cultural sites, and, of course, its famous wine regions. With these additions, United will fly to five Portuguese cities, including Lisbon, Porto, and Ponta Delgada.
Some Summer Flights to Europe Will Begin Earlier than Ever
United’s summer 2025 schedule includes these new destinations and ramps up service to several other European cities. The carrier will add more flights between EWR and Palma de Mallorca, Spain (PMI); Dubrovnik, Croatia (DBV); and Athens, Greece (ATH), while also launching earlier seasonal service to Venice, Italy (VCE) and Barcelona, Spain (BCN).
As United gears up for next summer, it will begin operating more transatlantic flights earlier in the season. Travelers can expect flights to ATH (06 March), VCE (29 March), and BCN (01 May) to kick off before the traditional summer season begins. Additionally, the carrier will launch the following nonstop flights to and from Europe:
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO) to BCN | 01 May | Boeing 777-200
- Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to ATH | 01 May | Daily | Boeing 787-10
- Washington Dulles (IAD) to VCE | 22 May | Daily through 25 September, then 4x weekly | Boeing 767-300
- IAD to Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE) in France | 24 May | Seasonal, 4x weekly | Boeing 767-300
United’s Intra-Asian Network will Connect Japan and Mongolia
United’s European expansion is complemented by a fairly robust Asian expansion, including a growing intra-Asian network of flights from Tokyo Narita (NRT).
Mongolia: Service to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, will begin on 1 May from NRT. Ulaanbaatar is Mongolia’s capital city and home to the country’s only international airport. The carrier will operate a Boeing 737-800 for the seasonal, thrice-weekly service to Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN). It will be United’s first foray into Mongolia and the only U.S. airline to offer service to UBN.
Taiwan: Flights to Kaohsiung, Taiwan’s second-largest city, will begin on 11 July. United will operate daily flights between Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH) and NRT aboard a Boeing 737-800. This new route complements United’s existing SFO and Tapei (TPE) service.
United also plans to launch a year-round nonstop flight between NRT and Koror, Palau. It was the only U.S. airline to serve Palau, a remote Pacific nation comprising over 350 islands. Service to Roman Tmetuchi International Airport (ROR) from NRT will begin on 02 April. The daily service will utilize a Boeing 737-800.
Africa and Central America are Part of United’s Expansion, Too
Senegal: Rounding out United’s eight new destinations is Dakar, the capital of Senegal. The carrier plans to begin year-round, thrice-weekly service to Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS) from IAD beginning on 23 May. This service, operated with a Boeing 767-300, will complement United’s existing African service to Cape Town (CPT) and Johannesburg (JNB), South Africa; Accra, Ghana (ACC); and Lagos, Nigeria (LOS). United also flies seasonally to Marrakesh, Morocco (RAK).
United’s Central American network will also see additional flights in 2024, including service to Mexico’s Puerto Escondido International Airport (PXM). The carrier will utilize an Embraer E175 Mesa-operated regional jet to the city from Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). The service will be year-round but limited to one flight per week.
San Jose, Costa Rica, will finally connect to the last of United’s seven hub cities when the carrier begins service to Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) from SFO on 22 May. This route will utilize a Boeing 737-8 MAX.
United will also begin previously announced flights from EWR to Dominica’s Douglas-Charles Airport (DOM) on 15 February.
A Summer of Adventure Awaits
United’s Summer 2025 schedule is one of the most unique expansions in the carrier’s history. It introduces these eight new destinations and significantly bolsters its strong transatlantic and global network.
This list of well-established and emerging destinations opens up opportunities for leisure and business travelers to explore regions often underserved by U.S. carriers–or not served at all.
By the numbers, United will offer more than 760 transatlantic flights to over 40 cities next summer, topping all other U.S. carriers. Altogether, United will operate 800 daily international flights to 147 destinations worldwide, with 40 nonstop routes that no other major U.S. airline flies.
What route are you most excited about? I’d love to be aboard the first flight to Nuuk, as it has been a lifelong dream of mine to visit Greenland.
