United Airlines in the process of launching or resuming 30 transatlantic flights in the coming weeks, which not only means it will offer more transatlantic destinations than every U.S. carrier combined, but will make it the largest airline across the Atlantic for the first time in company history.
United Airlines Transatlantic Expansion – Summer Schedule Offers 30 Additional Flights
Forecasting strong demand throughout the summer months, United Airlines has ramped up its transatlantic schedules, including a number of new routes, extra frequencies, and resumption of old routes. Between mid-April and June, that number will total 30 flights, accounting for 25% increase over the 2019 pre-pandemic schedule.
New services includes:
- Amman, Jordan (AMM)
- Bergen, Norway (BGO)
- Azores, Portugal (PDL)
- Palma de Mallorca, Spain (PMI)
- Tenerife (Canary Islands), Spain (TFN)
> Read More: United Airlines Plans 10 New Transatlantic Routes In 2022
London Calling
In a jab against JetBlue’s incursion in Newark, United recently launched new service between Boston (BOS) and London (LHR). The daily service marks United’s only transatlantic point-to-point flight (it does not touch a hub). United also serves London from its seven hubs and will increase that with
- Second daily flights between Denver and London beginning May 7
- Third daily flight between San Francisco and London Heathrow beginning May 28
- Adding seventh daily flight between Newark and London Heathrow beginning May 28
Other New Flights To Europe
Other new routes include:
- Denver ⇄ Munich – daily (began April 23)
- Chicago ⇄ Zurich – daily (began April 23)
- Newark ⇄ Nice – daily (begins April 29)
- Chicago ⇄ Milan Malpensa – daily (begins May 6)
- Newark ⇄ Dublin – will go double daily (began April 23)
- Newark ⇄ Frankfurt – will go double daily (began may 26)
- Newark ⇄ Rome – will go double 5x weekly (begins May 27)
Two routes (Washington – Berlin and Newark – Prague) did not make the final cut and will not operate as planned.
Additional Africa Frequencies
Finally, United will resume service between Newark and Cape Town on June 5th, which will become a year-round route. Furthermore, United will increase service to Accra, Ghana to daily service starting on May 8th.
CONCLUSION
United Airlines sees a strong return of transatlantic demand and is responding by offering more flights this summer than at any point in company history. Once the new routes and additional frequencies are launched, United will become world’s largest transatlantic carrier in terms of destinations.
This is exactly the reason I switched to UA (Star Alliance) from AA (One World) this year. With most of my intl trips focused on Europe from DC, the shear number of options for me was far too compelling to keep schlepping over on BA via LHR or AA via PHL. As well, I have better low cost paid business class options now on SAS and TAP. This is not just United winning in Europe, it’s all of Star Alliance. No one can match their choices offered from the U.S. unless you are living in a Delta or AA fortress hub.
While competition is a good thing generally speaking, the BOS-LHR stunt is a cheap jab back to old legacy tactics of dumping capacity where and when it’s least prudent. And it serves but one purpose, which is childish at best. Don’t applaud them for it…
BA leased a pair of LHR slots to UA, specific for BOS-LHR route, to fulfill anti-trust issue. Delta also received 2 pair of LHR slots for the same reason.
You are aware of the NEA, right? I applaud both United and Delta. Why the heck should they relinquish any market share to JetBlue? Especially considering what a sh*&show their operations are.
The dynamics of the United BOSLH R light predated JetBlue’s announcement, intentions and ability to consider a route. Tony’s reference to BA’s mandate to relinquish slots specific to BOS is correct. United can’t move them (as likely desired…to a UA hub) for a set amount of years (6?). No cheap jab at JetBlue. JetBlue would have been well aware of the transaction while planning their own transatlantic ambitions.
AA used to do daily BOS-LHR flying, so why not UA? BOS is not a hub for either one now (though each has a decent presence there). Fair is fair.
Spot on
Now can they just fix their polaris catering on these routes!
United is really missing out by not adding more service to BER (Berlin). Lufthansa neglects this airport for their Munich and Frankfurt hubs. While I would love to see the IAD-BER flight I don’t understand why United doesn’t add a SFO-BER flight. Both cities are strong in tech and one would thing high fare/business and even freight demand to the German capital. They should own the US-Berlin market.
United already owns it. They ran year-round to EWR prior to COVID and restarted it back in March. If the demand was there at the revenue mark, United would expand the service.
SFO-BER is going to attract a very different crowd than EWR-BER. So no, I don’t think United owns the Berlin market (yet).
Pre-pandemic I flew the Berlin-Newark route about twice a year in January and March to go skiing out West. Every year even before United acquired Continental, so at least 40 times. It is rarely full and I have always received an upgrade to EconomyPlus with Silver status. There is no way they could fill a Berlin to SFO flight. Berlin to Chicago is a possibility since most people connect but that would mean fewer people flying to Newark from Berlin.
AA should easily have had the most flights across the pond but this really illustrates how capable management is better than the nincompoops that the American board keeps appointing as CEO. I’m not a fan of Kirby but at least the guy isn’t a blithering idiot.
This is great for UA and *A.
I have IAH-LHR on UA coming up, in Polaris.
In June will be my first time to fly AC IAH-YYZ-AMS, on a 789, Business class. I hope it is comparable to UA Polaris.
Once UA/AC get me across the pond, I have flights on SAS, LOT, and TAP, all *A.
AA and OW are falling behind. I only have 1 European flight with them this summer.
Next, let’s see who gains the lead in TPAC flights.
The 767-400ERs are FINALLY getting Polaris per Zach Griff! UA will have a consistent product across ALL widebody aircrafts, Delta and American aren’t even close to that!
Yes, will have a story on this tomorrow – good scoop by Zach.
United didn’t retire as many aircraft as Delta and American so it’s taking advantage of that situation.
How long has the author worked for (or been paid by) UA?
I wish…