Strengthening transatlantic ties: United Airlines expands network with new European routes
October 10, 2025
United Airlines is strengthening its European network with the addition of new destinations in Croatia, Italy, Scotland and Spain.
The American carrier is currently the only airline offering nonstop links from Newark to Split in Croatia, Glasgow in Scotland and Santiago de Compostela in Spain. It is also the only US carrier to offer direct links between Newark and Bari in Italy. The airline will commence operations on these new routes in summer 2026.
Mor(s)e routes for 2026 have landed! 🎉🌎
— United Airlines (@united) October 9, 2025
New destinations taking off from Newark this summer:
Bari, Italy
Split, Croatia
Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Glasgow, Scotland
And we’re adding flights:
Newark – Seoul, South Korea
Washington, D.C. – Reykjavik, Iceland… pic.twitter.com/BN2MX22Br1
United in more ways than one
United is already one of the biggest US carriers to Europe, and these new routes deepen its presence across the continent. The routes also provide travellers with direct access to less connected yet popular destinations, such as Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast and the Scottish Highlands via Glasgow.
“United has an unmatched international network, and we pride ourselves on connecting our customers to unique, trendsetting destinations no other US airline serves,” commented Patrick Quayle, United’s SVP of Global Network Planning and Alliances.
The addition of new European routes from its base at Newark Liberty International Airport follows United’s announcement in May of this year that it would be cutting its network at the New York hub, citing ongoing air traffic congestion and operational inefficiencies.
United’s new destinations for summer 2026
Operated on a Boeing 767-300ER, the nonstop service to and from Split will commence on 30 April 2026. It will offer travellers from the US a gateway to ancient sites, including the ancient Roman Diocletian’s Palace and the Cathedral of Saint Dominus, one of the oldest in the world.
United’s flights to Bari will start on 1 May 2026 and will also be operated on a Boeing 767-300ER. A perennial favourite for holidaymakers, Bari is one of the largest ports on the Adriatic Coast, providing travellers with access to Albania, Croatia and Greece by boat.
The daily service to Glasgow will be operated on a Boeing 737-MAX 8 with flights commencing from 8 May 2026. As Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow is renowned for its world-class museums, iconic architecture and access to the Highlands. In addition to leisure passengers, this route will also be a key link for business travellers.
The three-times-weekly service to the capital of Spain’s Galicia region, Santiago de Compostela, will commence on 22 May 2026 and will also be operated on a Boeing 737-MAX 8. Located near Spain’s northwest coast and boasting stunning cathedrals and Medieval architecture, the city is also the endpoint of the centuries-old Camino de Santiago pilgrimage.
United’s expansion beyond Europe
In addition to its new European links, the airline is also adding its first service between Washington-Dulles and Reykjavik, Iceland, from 21 May 2026. Operated on a Boeing 757-200, United will be the only airline to offer lie-flat business class seats between the two cities.
As of next summer, United will also be the only US airline offering a nonstop year-round service from New York to Seoul in South Korea. The daily flights on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner will begin on 4 September 2026, building on United’s existing twice-daily links from San Francisco to South Korea’s capital.
“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,” said Quayle.
With United offering nearly 3,000 weekly international roundtrips for summer 2026, Quayle also described the airline as the “clear flag carrier of the US.”
Building on United’s largest route expansion to date
Last summer, United underwent its largest route expansion to date, adding nine seasonal destinations to its network. All nine routes will return next summer, including: Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia; Nuuk, Greenland; Palermo, Italy; Bilbao, Spain; Madeira and Faro, Portugal.
United’s inaugural flights to Nuuk were the fastest-selling debut services in the airline’s history.
The airline is also resuming its year-round service to Dakar in Senegal, Puerto Escondido in Mexico, and Kaohsiung in Taiwan.
United’s route race with other US carriers
As part of a broader race for the transatlantic market share, the expansion of United’s network also helps it compete with fellow US carriers Delta and American Airlines. Both these competitor airlines have also ramped up European services. Across the globe, United will offer more than 850 daily flights in 2026 to and from over 150 international destinations – including 41 routes that are not served by other US carriers.
