United Airlines Has Unveiled Its Largest International Expansion to Date: Discover the New Routes

In a groundbreaking announcement, United Airlines has revealed its most extensive international expansion yet, introducing eight new cities for 2025. These routes cover multiple continents and include hard-to-reach locations like Senegal, Greenland, Taiwan, and Mongolia.

“This marks the largest international expansion in the history of United,” stated Patrick Quayle, United’s senior vice president of global network planning and alliances, during a media call before the announcement.

Here’s what travelers should know about United’s expansion initiatives for 2025.

New Destinations from United for 2025

In recent years, airlines have taken to showcasing their upcoming expansion plans with grand announcements. (American Airlines and Delta Air Lines have already revealed their schedules for 2025.) What stands out in United’s announcement is the remoteness of many new destinations, particularly in contrast to its main competitors, which primarily focus on major European cities.

Moreover, seven of the eight new routes will serve destinations that are significantly under-represented by other North American airlines (currently, Delta only operates flights to Dakar from New York’s John F. Kennedy International Airport).

United’s new international routes for 2025 feature:

• Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Faro Airport (FAO) in Faro, Portugal: Seasonal service begins on May 16, operating four times a week with a Boeing 757-200.
• EWR to Palermo Airport (PMO) in Palermo, Sicily: Seasonal service starting May 21, three times weekly aboard a Boeing 767-400.
• EWR to Bilbao Airport (BIO) in Bilbao, Spain: Seasonal service launches on May 31, three times weekly with a Boeing 757-200.
• EWR to Madeira Airport (FNC) in Madeira, Portugal: Seasonal service kicks off on June 7, flying three times a week on a Boeing 737MAX8.
• EWR to Nuuk Airport (GOH) in Nuuk, Greenland: Seasonal routes begin on June 14, operating twice weekly aboard a Boeing 737MAX8.
• Narita International Airport (NRT) in Tokyo, Japan to Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN) in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia: Seasonal service starts May 1, flying three times a week with a Boeing 737-800.
• NRT to Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH) in Kaohsiung, Taiwan: Year-round service launches July 11 with daily flights aboard a Boeing 737-800.
• Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS) in Dakar, Senegal: Year-round service begins May 23, flying three times a week with a Boeing 767-300.

As travel demand continues to grow, United asserts that it is addressing a widespread eagerness among travelers to explore lesser-known destinations on the tourism map.

“I believe travelers really look to United for guidance on where to fly,” Quayle stated. “What we've discovered is that as we expand our customer base, those experienced travelers who have visited Paris, Rome, and Madrid numerous times are seeking something new.”

Quayle highlighted that United evaluates routes that have been successful within its network and aims to build on those. For instance, Cape Town, South Africa, became United’s first non-stop destination in Africa, added in 2019, and has quickly turned into one of the airline's most sought-after international routes.

The Sicilian city of Palermo, one of United’s newly announced routes, is also in high demand—partly due to its surge in popularity following the second season of The White Lotus, which was filmed there. Delta is set to commence flights to Sicily in 2025, though to its other airport in Catania.

All routes, except for Dakar and Nuuk, can now be booked through United’s website. Nuuk’s airport in Greenland isn’t operational yet—it’s expected to open in late 2024. Once it does, United will be the only airline providing nonstop service from the U.S. to the world’s northernmost capital.

These new destinations follow a prior announcement that United will launch flights from Newark to Dominica beginning February 15, and from Houston to Puerto Escondido, Mexico, starting April 5.

Expanded Service Offerings

Alongside the new destinations, United is increasing flights on several of its most popular routes.

Notably, the airline plans to introduce a year-round nonstop service between Tokyo’s Narita International Airport and Roman Tmetuchl International Airport in Koror, Palau. Currently, United offers connections to Palau via Guam and Manila, Philippines. Daily flights are set to begin on April 2.

United will also boost the frequency of flights from Washington Dulles to Venice, Italy, and Nice, France, with increased service starting on May 22 and May 24, respectively. This enhancement will complement existing flights from Newark.

In addition, the airline will launch a new route from San Francisco to San José, Costa Rica, beginning May 22. With this new service, all of United’s major U.S. hubs will connect to the capital of the Central American nation.

While United’s new transatlantic flights are already significant, Quayle hints that more announcements may be on the horizon—particularly routes serving the airline’s West Coast markets. “We might add additional West Coast flights later this year,” Quayle mentioned. “So keep an eye out for that.”