United Airlines will once again operate flights between the United States and Greenland, with seasonal service returning in 2026.
United Airlines Will Fly Nonstop To Greenland Again In Summer 2026
In June 2025, United launched a seasonal nonstop flight from Newark (EWR) to Nuuk (GOH), becoming the first U.S. airline ever to offer direct service to Greenland. It also represented the first scheduled nonstop U.S.–Greenland flight since Air Greenland briefly flew between Baltimore (BWI) and Kangerlussuaq (SFJ) in 2007. United used a Boeing 737 MAX 8 on the route, operating twice weekly (the flight will continue to operate through late September).
- UA80 – Newark (EWR) – Nuuk (GOH) dep 11:30 am arr 6:45 am
- UA81 – Nuuk (GOH) – Newark (EWR) dep 9:00 am arr 10:30 am
Patrick Quayle, United’s Senior Vice President of Global Network Planning, called the airline’s expansion “the largest international expansion in United history,” and described Greenland as part of a strategy to offer unique destinations that spark traveler interest. CEO Scott Kirby noted that the route was “low risk — only two 737s per week” but carried significant brand value and helped engage MileagePlus members looking for unusual experiences.
The timing was right. Nuuk Airport underwent a major overhaul in 2024, with a longer runway and new terminal facilities that finally made transatlantic service viable. Beyond tourism, Greenland’s strategic location in the Arctic and its mineral wealth have drawn increasing U.S. attention, particularly from President Trump, adding a geopolitical dimension to this semi-autonomous realm of Denmark.
United has confirmed the route will return in summer 2026. Exact dates have not yet been published, but operations are expected to mirror 2025 and tickets for July 2026 are already bookable, with twice-weekly service using the 737 MAX 8. Pricing is also expected to remain in line with last year (economy class is about $1100 round trip, while premium economy will run $4500 round-trip).
The news was announced by Quayle on Instagram:
CONCLUSION
By reviving nonstop service between Newark and Nuuk, United demonstrates its willingness to experiment with bold, creative routes and the power of dots on the route map, even with only seasonal 737 service. With Greenland attracting both tourist interest and geopolitical attention, I’m not surprised this route is returning.
This has been a very busy year for me…with little time for international trips. I was hoping to fly Air Greenland from Copenhagen this year and then continue to the US on United. SAS also flew to Greenland this year…but at least with United, there’s always 2026.
image: @patrickquayle / Instagram
I’m curious….are they turning these crews around for an out and back? Or are they doing a layover. Must be right on the cusp.
I’ll try to find out, but I would think the same crew flies back the next morning.
The crews layover.
They layover, but it’s a short one (~15 hours) — they operate the same plane back to Newark the following morning.
It’s a typo. The flight arrives at 645pm and not 645am. It’s a 4 hour flight so I assume that the same crew is used on the return.
Hello- The timing of the flights doesn’t seem right. The distance is under 2000 miles so flight time is 4 hours. Leaving at 1130 am and arriving at 645 am doesn’t make sense.
Mystery solved. Went on Flightaware and the arrival time is 645pm. That makes sense now
People don’t like Trump but the idea for the US to buy Greenland is a good idea. Land is finite. WhileDemocrats opposeTrump, they wanted Greenland in the past
Truman tried to buy it. Greenland as a state would likely vote D because of welfare benefits.
Derek- While Truman tried to buy it, he tried through diplomatic channels. Trump wants to force the sale. That’s a big difference. I think that we both agree that strategically, buying Greenland would be a great move but doing it by force is not.
wonder if UA will add additional Transatlantics with only O-Y configs? Maybe flights such as JKF/LIS?