United Introduces Exciting New Transatlantic Routes for 2023

As travelers start planning for next year's adventures, United has just revealed new additions to its transatlantic flight options for spring and summer 2023, featuring three new (or returning) routes.

New Destinations Served by United

All of these new direct flights will take off from New Jersey's Newark Liberty International Airport, including:

• Dubai (daily departures starting March 25)
• Stockholm, Sweden (daily flights beginning May 27)
• Malaga, Spain (three flights per week starting May 31)

Malaga, a coastal city on Spain’s southern shore, is a new destination for United, while the Chicago-based airline has previously operated flights to the other two locations. United's last service to Stockholm occurred just before the pandemic began. The airline had intended to resume flights to Sweden's capital in 2022 but faced delays due to aircraft shortages. The last time United operated flights to Dubai, where its new strategic partner, Emirates, is headquartered, was in 2016.

New Routes to Existing Airports

In addition to the routes to Dubai, Stockholm, and Malaga, United is launching daily flights to four cities it already services (all beginning May 25):

• San Francisco International Airport to Leonardo da Vinci International Airport in Rome
• Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport to Shannon Airport in Ireland
• O’Hare International Airport to Barcelona Airport in Spain
• Washington, D.C.’s Dulles International Airport to Brandenburg Airport in Berlin

Enhanced Service on Popular Routes

United is reinforcing its commitment to two key markets by introducing two daily flights on these routes:

• Los Angeles International Airport to Heathrow Airport in London (beginning March 25)
• Dulles International Airport to Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris (starting June 2)

Overall, the airline plans to serve 27 cities across Europe, Africa, India, and the Middle East during summer 2023, anticipating a passenger capacity increase of up to 30 percent compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019. However, it's important to mention that due to unsatisfactory performance, the airline will discontinue its route to Bergen, Norway, for summer 2023. This route was one of nine added for summer 2022.

United and other airlines have had to cancel some flights this year due to restrictions set by airports in London and Amsterdam, which are facing staffing challenges. Patrick Quayle, United’s senior vice president of network planning, stated that after discussions with airport officials, United is confident in its ability to maintain the planned 2023 European schedule.

United, along with American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, experienced a boost this summer from strong demand and elevated fares for European flights, as Americans capitalized on the easing of pandemic-related travel restrictions. This surge in international travel likely influenced American's decision on Tuesday to increase its revenue forecast for the third quarter, although the airline did not provide region-specific results.

The recovery in Asia and the South Pacific has been gradual, with United steadily increasing flights to Australia and other destinations. However, China remains largely inaccessible to foreigners, with cities continuing to enforce new lockdowns in response to even the smallest COVID-19 case counts. Japan has just lifted its border restrictions that were in effect for over two years.

Quayle stated that United “will simply adhere to the government guidelines” when China reopens and will gradually resume flights to Japan. With those “notable exceptions,” he noted, “all other routes across the Pacific will be operating at full capacity this winter.”

This reporting was contributed by The Associated Press.