United Airlines announced four new transatlantic routes set to launch in 2026, including destinations in Croatia, Italy, Scotland, and Spain. The carrier also plans a new route to Iceland and South Korea and increased service to Israel.
United Airlines Adds New Intercontinental Routes In 2026
Let’s review each new route and then I’ll offer some additional insight I learned during a telephone call with Patrick Quayle, United’s Senior Vice President of Global Network Planning and Alliances, yesterday afternoon.
United Will Launch 767-300 Service To Split, Croatia
As of April 30, 2026, United will launch 3x weekly summer seasonal service between Newark (EWR) and Split (SPU). The flight will utilize a “high J” 767-300 with 46 seats in “Polaris” business class, 22 seats in “Premium Plus” premium economy, 43 “EconomyPlus” extra legroom seats, and 56 seats in economy class.
United Will Launch 767-300 Service To Bari, Italy
United will launch nonstop service between Newark and Bari (BRI) on May 1, 2026. The flight will operate 4x weekly and also utilize a “high J” (J meaning the code for business class) 767-300. United touts that Bari will serve as a gateway via boat to Albania, Croatia, and Greece.
Next summer, United will offer up to 15 flights per day to Italy across six destinations, with the only U.S.
airline service to Palermo (PMO) and Bari.
United Will Launch 737 MAX 8 Service To Glasgow, Scotland
After an extended hiatus, United will return to Glasgow (GLA) with daily service from Newark beginning on May 8, 2025. Interestingly, United will not use a 757-200 on the route, but instead use a Boeing 737 MAX 8 on the route, an aricraft that does not have lie-flat seating in hte forward cabin. Instead, the recliner seatas will be marketed as premium economy.
United Will Launch 737 MAX 8 Service To Santiago de Compostela, Spain
United will be the only carrier to offer nonstop service between the U.S. and Santiago de Compostela, the capital of the Galicia region in Spain, when seasonal service begins on May 22, 2026. The 3x weekly flight will be operated by a 737 MAX 8.
With the addition of this flihgt, United will fly to six destinations in Spain, including Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, and Bilbao, and is the only airline to fly nonstop to Bilbao, Malaga, and Palma de Mallorca from the USA.
United Will Launch New 757-200 Route From Washington Dulles To Reykjavik, Iceland
Challenging Icelandair, United will add service from Dulles (IAD) to Reykjavik (KEF) on a Boeing 757-200 with lie-flat seating in business class. The service will operate daily and complement existing service from Newark and Chicago (ORD).
United Will Launch New 787-9 Route From Newark To Seoul, South Korea
A highly anticipated route, United will add nonstop service between Newark and Seoul (ICN), augmenting its twice-daily service from San Francisco (SFO). A 787-9 Dreamliner will be used for the route
United Will Add More Tel Aviv Service From Newark
On March 28, 2026 United will add a third flight to Tel Aviv (TLV) from Newark, utilizing a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. United already operates 2x daily service to Tel Aviv and this third flight will operate 4x per week. Service from Chicago (4x weekly) and Washington Dulles (3x weekly) will continue, with no immediate plans to re-launch the San Francisco – Tel Aviv route.
All Existing Routes Will Return
In addition to these new routes, all existing routes–spanning from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Nuuk, Greenland will return:
- Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia: April 30, 2026
- Faro, Portugal: May 15, 2026
- Madeira Island, Portugal: May 16, 2026
- Palermo, Italy: May 22, 2026
- Bilbao, Spain: May 30, 2026
- Nuuk, Greenland: June 6, 2026
- Kaohsiung, Taiwan: Operating year-round service
- Dakar, Senegal: Operating year-round service
- Puerto Escondido, Mexico: Operating year-round service
The only cutbacks will be Newark to Frankfurt (FRA) and Newark to Athens (ATH), which will drop from 2x daily to daily next summer.
737 MAX 8 On Transatlantic Routes?
Using a 737 without lie-flat seating on transatlantic routes may seem odd, but it is not new. United already uses the 737-8 on routes to Nuuk, Greenland (GOH) and Ponta Delgada (PDL) in the Portuguese Azores. United has ordered the Airbus A321 XLR as a replacement for its aging Boeing 757-200 fleet, but Quayle told Live And Let’s Fly, “Quite candidly, even I had the XLR, I wouldn’t use on these routes.” Quayle explained that the MAX 8 has made routes possible that otherwise could not viably operate.
That’s where the MAX 8 is extremely valuable and allows us to get into some of these ‘sportier’ markets where there is less demand for a lie-flat seat.
He added, “The XLR will enhance and upgrade the service where the 757-200 currently serves,” but will not replace certain routes that are more suited for a lesisure-configured 737 MAX 8.
The Flag Carrier Of The USA
United continues to call itself the flag carrier of the United States. Quayle explained:
“United has an unmatched international network, and we pride ourselves on connecting our customers to unique, trendsetting destinations no other U.S. airline serves,” said “With the addition of these new flights and the return of all of our new routes from last year, United now flies to 46 cities across the Atlantic – more than any other airline – and is the clear flag carrier of the U.S.”
Calling itself the flag carrier of the U.S. is something that CEO Scott Kriby has done since the pandemic, but it is not an official designation.
> Read More: CEO Scott Kirby Believes United Is “Flag Carrier” Of The United States
United Goes A Different Direction Than Delta
I pointed out to Quayle that Delta recently announced service from New York (JFK) to Oblia (OLB) and Malta (MLA) and also considered service to Ibizia (IBZ), asking if United considered these specific routes from Newark and whether Delta’s decision to launch them at all influenced his decision to pass them over this year. Quayle did not take the bait:
“My sole focus is on building the right network for United and our customers. These new destinations – like the dozens of new dots on the map we’ve added in the last several years – capitalize on the unique strengths of United’s hubs and fleet, while also unlocking experiences travelers just can’t get on any other airline.”
The decision to unveil these new routes on the day Delta reveals its Q3 2025 earnings is no coincidence.
CONCLUSION
United is launching several new routes to Europe in 2026, continuing to build on consecutive summers of expansion to Europe. Tickets for these new destinations will go on sale today. While the choice to utilize more 737 MAX 8 on additional transatlantic routes is certain to be controversial, it’s a practical consideration that bets on people preferring to fly nonstop from the US, even without a premium product.
couple things
with more transoceanic flights only offering O-Y configs, an O ticket should receive a domestic F connection, not Y+
Second, it is time to increase the pitch in both domestic F and O to ~42 inches
UA continues to prove why they are the flag carrier of the United States. DL and AA could never make these type of routes work.
Derk is exactly right on both counts.
yep
fly in domestic F across the ocean, you should get domestic F on the connection.
And if UA would increase the pitch, demand for O would go up further, which would result in higher fares
UA has a cross-section of a globe on its tail. DL has a strange cross-section of a broken up triangle on its tail, although I suppose the colors are still the US flag colors. American has a picturesque representation of the US flag and, you know, the word American written on the side. So, of the three…
Even Virgin Atlantic has a lady carrying the Union Jack on its livery for when it pretends to be the flag carrier.
United should fire their marketing department. That picture is not from Bari. I have been to that place a dozen times. That picture is from Polignano al Mare which is 35 minutes from Bari. BTW, that is a very expensive area of Italy and became attractive after several celebrities were spotted there so expect no hotels with points and very expensive hotel rates.
Should I take my family there?
Sorry, for some reason my posts were not showing so it posted twice. Feel free to delete one.
As for taking your family to Puglia, ABSOLUTELY! We have been to Puglia 6 times in the last 10 years. Bari area is absolutely stunning and full of small towns to visit but I prefer staying 1 hour south of Bari (I usually fly to Brindisi), it is less crowded, beaches are much nicer (sand vs pebbles) and much cheaper. Food is out of this world, people are super nice and it is fantastic. I am already planning my next summer and will probably spend a few days in the region again. Happy to share tons of notes from all my trips there.
Santastico, Do folks in Bari or Brindisi speak English? I do not want to depend solely on cellphone translation. Thanks
@Tony: It depends. I used to visit that area of Italy before it became attractive to non Italians. Now, most of the nice hotels and restaurants will have people that speaks English. There are tons of small hotels in the area but most are family owned or owned by Italian entrepreneurs in the hospitaly area. Check this place: https://www.borgoegnazia.com This is the hotel that placed Puglia in the spot since many celebrities had their weddings there and they usually host the ultra rich. But their rates are sometimes over EUR3,000 per night. If you stick around Bari, you won’t have problems with English, If you go down to Brindisi and Lecce, it becomes more difficult as that are is still more for Italians.
Yes, because, well you know, you need to prove not only are you not selfish, but also that you are an “elite” based on Sant’s description of the place.
You can hang with those “celebrities” that come from the same CA sh#thole you currently live in.
you need mental help.
United should fire their marketing department. That picture is not from Bari. I have been to that place a dozen times. That picture is from Polignano al Mare which is 35 minutes from Bari. FYI, that part of Italy has become very expensive due to several celebrities posting on social media from there. Forget about hotels with points and be ready to spend a lot of money for stays at local hotels.
A bit pedantic. The Cliffs of Moher are further from Shannon, much further from Dublin and is often used to represent both. Bavarian castles much further from Munich, Zermatt from Zurich.
What is the nearest gateway airport to Polignano al Mare? Bari.
Interesting on the cutback for the EWR-FRA route.
Since EWR has a cap on take-off and landing capacity. UAL may have to consolidate some flights in order to add flights to new destinations.
Or, Lufthansa, UAL European partner, might add an extra flight departed at 10pm from EWR to FRA.
Passengers originated from EWR can be routed to Munich or Zürich instead then connected to other European cities.
UAL also can divert some passengers travelling to Frankfurt through Washington Dulles airport.
United’s continual self-adulation is pretty nauseating. They’re basically saying that they’re not good enough for other parties to anoint them as whatever they’re claiming at the time so they’ll just anoint themselves. That’s really pathetic.
I think United’s global reach justifies their position as a US flag carrier. No one is going to wait for that title to be bestowed upon them, they have to hit the marks to do it. They have.
And have done a financial turnaround doing so.
Hardly pathetic.
GLA is a bit confusing as EDI is a far better and larger airport (at least until AGS upgrades are complete in ~’27), even if Glasgow is intended destination as it’s just +30 minutes more. Most US tourists as part of Edinburgh-Glasgow-Highlands loop trip are going to spend more days in Edinburgh. Glasgow has attracted some non-London corporate population, like JPMorgan, but likely not enough to support direct flight premium.
Perhaps could be appealing if it’s a morning eastbound departure with an afternoon westbound, or if you can open-jaw between EDI/GLA to avoid backtracking on a Highlands trip, or it’s notably cheaper than EDI pricing.
Quite a few tours actually start in Glasgow and end in Edinburgh. Right now they bring them into Edinburgh and shuttle them over to Glasgow. These flights will allow tour companies to have clients fly direct into Glasgow and then fly home out of Edinburgh. It is just a thought and allows a working arrangement for UA to pick up the AIR INCLUDED business that companies such as Smithsonian offers. I am sure other will do the same .
If UA allows open jaw at similar or lower pricing than straight EDI return. I’d venture UA would require offsetting tours in any group pricing arrangements so they don’t have large mismatches in yields. It’d be a tour bus from GLA or EDI whichever the destination and I’d find it difficult that someone is going to prefer book or premium pay on a 7-14 day tour because the airport tour bus pickup is 30-minutes shorter on arrival.
I used to live in Edinburgh and my family lives in Glasgow. I use the airports interchangeably when visiting my family, with Edinburgh preferred for more direct flights and better facilities. GLA if it has better schedule or a lot better pricing.
It’s an opportunity. Sure, Edinburgh is close by, but it already has fairly robust service. For some customers, the opportunity to fly directly to Glasgow might prove sufficiently compelling to have them choose UA versus a competitor to EDI.
Only a 30 minute difference though. Difficult to see this being a major decision maker in choice since it’s going to be heavily a leisure route. The major factor in it’s favor will be if it’s a daytime flight, versus red-eyes to EDI, and if it’s cheaper for airlines as AGS is competition for traffic versus VINCI Airports/GIP at EDI. If it’s same pricing and timing as EDI flights, nothing that compelling to most travelers.
I used to live in Edinburgh and my family lives in Glasgow. I use the airports interchangeably when visiting my family, with Edinburgh preferred for more direct flights and better facilities. GLA if it has better schedule or a lot better pricing.
Edinburgh has about 10 daily summer season departures to the US, United is 4 of them. That borders on overcapacity when considering new flying. Instead, open Glasgow and skim off competitors EDI capacity as well as your own to add growth, open capacity at EDI and GLA and provide consumers choice. The EDI/GLA tour movements can be as successful as DUB/SNN have been for decades. A huge benefit when route planning without overlap.
2.5 hr between DUB and SNN is a far bigger impact, and different market, than +30 mins between GLA/EDI which I’d argue is more or less the same market. Adding capacity at GLA would be the same saturation as adding at EDI.
Que Tim Dunn to tell us how United doesn’t know what they are doing. Love the EWR – ICN. I just hope fares are competitive. UA’s Polaris fares via SFO were not when I booked our family this Spring.
Star Alliance is dope. Will be sad to see the a330s ,a340s , 767s, and 757s retired . It’s spacious back there in economy.
EWR to ATH isn’t daily. Can you clarify?
It was twice daily, but next summer only once daily.
Matthew it is not twice daily. 124 is daily, 116 is 3x a week
During peak summer?
Matthew with all do respect go back and check your source. ATH is considered sub-seasonal. 124 is daily Mar-Dec. 116 is 3x week Apr-Oct. Why isn’t your source giving you the correct info?
The source was Patrick Quayle. Geez.
The real takeaway from UA’s route announcement is that they intend to fly domestic configured airplanes – the MAX 8 – over the Atlantic w/ no Polaris cabin while trying to foist off a domestic first class seat as premium economy.
United is more interested in adding dots to its route map than presenting a unified product and service structure.
and UA is undoubtedly on the verge of starting their massive widebody retirement. If this is all the routes they add despite supposedly receiving 20+ 787s in 2026 (plus what they are receiving the 2nd half of this year), they are shifting to aircraft retirement mode and growing on the backs of the planes that should be growing their domestic network – which still is a fraction of the size of AA, DL and WN’s domestic networks
The real takeaway from UA’s route announcement is that they intend to fly domestic configured airplanes – the MAX 8 – over the Atlantic w/ no Polaris cabin while trying to foist off a domestic first class seat as premium economy.
United is more interested in adding dots to its route map than presenting a unified product and service structure.
and UA is undoubtedly on the verge of starting their massive widebody retirement. If this is all the routes they add despite supposedly receiving 20+ 787s in 2026 (plus what they are receiving the 2nd half of this year), they are shifting to aircraft retirement mode and growing on the backs of the planes that should be growing their domestic network – which still is a fraction of the size of AA, DL and WN’s domestic networks
AA and DL came up w/ more significantly expansion than UA did
it doesn’t make your comment smarter or your delta love less obvious by posting this twice 😉
Delta was asked about industry capacity next Summer and they said it might even be flat on transatlantic after more route exits are revealed. United’s summer growth will widen the gap further.
both of those statements are incorrect.
DL said it would be up low single digit percentages with a broader and longer season
UA’s expansion is less than what DL or AA announced in part because so much of it is on narrowbodies.
UA is seeing the same thing DL is; the two have seen very similar market conditions for several years.
TATL peak is not what it used to be; UA will certainly follow DL’s lead in depeaking the peak and increasing capacity into the fall.
Another ambitious move from the unofficial flag carrier of the U.S.! Note that the seasoned airline’s huge fleet currently includes 1054 aircraft (+ 61 on order/planned) with an average age of 15.6 years.
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
@Matthew do we know what date EWR to Dubrovnik begins in the spring? I can’t find it anywhere.
According to UA’s official website, there are already regular nonstop flights from EWR to DBV… The related flights are operated with Boeing 767-400ER and take approximately 9 hours.
Dr. Güntürk Üstün
I would not fly on any of these Max 8 routes without proper Polaris lie flat seats. I’d rather connect.
Polaris conscience people can still fly to EDI and take a 30 min limo/bus at own minimal expense to their GLA accommodation. Santiago de Compostela folks can drive 2h10m from Oporto. Both can endure a connect with backtracking, I value my time. I don’t find any aircraft sleep comparable to a bed and find an upright nap comparable with the lower fare point a bonus. I also know what I am getting when I buy my ticket, this is not a switch and bait with Polaris. It is not sold in any way as Polaris.
The MAX would not work for London or Paris, but it does work for destinations other airlines have failed (Delta to the Azores) or have not even ventured (Glasgow and Santiago de Compostela). The 737 Max does open up destinations that help make United a go to airline for international travel mindset. 46 across the Atlantic alone. Kudos where deserved.