United Airlines’ President Scott Kirby suggested his airline would re-focus on domestic service, but that has not led to any slowdown in international expansion. Quite the contrary, United is using its fuel-efficient fleet to expand to new destinations around the world. Next summer United will add new service to Reykjavik, Iceland and Porto, Portugal. Furthermore, the carrier will add nonstop flights between San Francisco and Zurich, Washington and Edinburgh, and lengthen summer schedules on four additional routes.
Today’s new route announcement touches four major European cities:
- Reykjavik, Iceland
- Porto, Portugal
- Edinburgh, Scotland
- Zurich, Switzerland
Newark to Reykjavik, Iceland (KEF) on United
Although there is already a lot of competition on the route, United will offer daily service between Newark and Reykjavik from late May thru early October next year using a 757-200. The eastbound flight will be a 5hr, 40min redeye while the westbound flight will depart midday from Iceland. Delta has offered seasonal service to Iceland for several years from its JFK hub. Icelandair and WOW also serve KEF from New York City.
|
Flight |
From |
To |
Departure |
Arrival |
2018 |
|
UA138 |
EWR |
KEF |
10:30 p.m. |
8:10 a.m. |
May 23-Oct. 3 |
|
UA139 |
KEF |
EWR |
11:55 a.m. |
2:05 p.m. |
May 24-Oct. 4 |
Newark to Porto, Portugal (OPO) on United
I’ve never been to Porto, but have heard from friends that it is a beautiful destination. Service will begin in early May and run thru early October using a 757-200. Flight time is about 7hrs going east and 8hrs going west.
|
Flight |
From |
To |
Departure |
Arrival |
2018 |
|
UA144 |
EWR |
OPO |
9:45 p.m. |
9:50 a.m. |
May 4-Oct. 3 |
|
UA145 |
OPO |
EWR |
12:35 p.m. |
1:35 p.m. |
May 5-Oct. 4 |
San Francisco to Zurich, Switzerland (ZRH) on United
San Francisco gained a summer flight to Munich last year and will add Zurich this year, also operated by a 787-8. The flight is timed to maximize onward connections in Europe and the Indian subcontinent on Star Alliance and JV partner SWISS. Service will run from early June thru late October, but United runs year-around service to Zurich from Washington Dulles and Newark.
|
Flight |
From |
To |
Departure |
Arrival |
2018 |
|
UA44 |
SFO |
ZRH |
2:10 p.m. |
10:10 a.m. |
June 7-Oct. 26 |
|
UA45 |
ZRH |
SFO |
9:50 a.m. |
12:40 p.m. |
June 8-Oct. 27 |
Washington Dulles to Edinburgh, Scotland (EDI) on United
Even Washington, DC is getting some love, with the return of summer seasonal service to beautiful Edinburgh, Scotland. The flight will begin in late May and run thru early October using a 757-200 with 16 lie-flat beds in business class.
|
Flight |
From |
To |
Departure |
Arrival |
2018 |
|
UA146 |
IAD |
EDI |
10:10 p.m. |
10:25 a.m. |
May 23-Oct. 3 |
|
UA147 |
EDI |
IAD |
12:40 p.m. |
3:40 p.m. |
May 24-Oct. 4 |
Additional Expanded Summer Service
Finally, United will expand summer seasonal service on a handful of routes beyond the traditional window.
- Chicago ⇄ Edinburgh: May 4 thru Oct. 26, 2018
- San Francisco ⇄ Munich: May 4 thru Oct. 26, 2018
- Chicago ⇄ Dublin: April 9 thru Oct. 26, 2018
- Washington ⇄ Lisbon: April 9 thru Oct. 26, 2018
CONCLUSION
Every continent is getting some love from United lately. Houston to Sydney is coming. Newark to Buenos Aires is coming. Los Angeles to Singapore is coming. And now four new routes to Europe. The new routes are already available for purchase. Keep an eye out for attractive into fares as well as saver award space.
not just every continent, but also every hub. DEN finally got their LHR link on UA (yes I’m aware of the BA one), IAH got their Aussie link to match DFW, LAX completely beat SQ to the punch even with potentially sub-optimal equipment, EWR got a much needed link down to LatAm ….
While AA and DL folks are still yapping about LAX-PEK, UA is so far ahead the curve at LAX-SIN it’s not even funny.
Delta has left UA in the dust in international expansion ….. KEF in 2018 ? Little late to the show ….
You must be kidding. United’s international expansion over the last few years shames Delta.