United Airlines’ Transatlantic Expansion For 2024

United Airlines has just revealed new and modified transatlantic routes for 2024, as the airline prepares for its biggest transatlantic schedule ever. In recent weeks we’ve seen American Airlines and Delta Air Lines announce their planned summer 2024 transatlantic expansion, so it’s not surprising to see a similar announcement from United.

United’s summer 2024 transatlantic expansion

United’s announcement about new transatlantic flights in 2024 isn’t all that exciting, at least compared to what we’ve seen in past years. That’s because United already had a massive network across the Atlantic in recent summers, and that seems to be working well. With United not taking delivery of many new wide body aircraft right now, United’s potential to grow is quite limited.

But let’s discuss what is changing…

United adds Newark to Faro route

As of May 24, 2024, United Airlines will add a new seasonal 4x weekly flight between Newark (EWR) and Faro (FAO), in Portugal. The service will be operated by a Boeing 757-200. United will be the first US carrier to fly to Faro, and in terms of Portugal service, the airline has year-round flights from Newark to Lisbon, as well as seasonal flights from Washington to Lisbon, Newark to Porto, and Newark to Ponta Delgada.

This is the only new route that United is adding across the Atlantic in 2024.

United adds flights to Reykjavik, Brussels, Rome, Malaga

While these aren’t new destinations, United will be adding new routes and frequencies in the following markets:

• As of May 23, 2024, United will resume a daily seasonal Newark (EWR) to Reykjavik (KEF) route with a Boeing 757-200; this was last operated in the summer of 2022
• As of March 30, 2024, United will add a second daily flight between Newark (EWR) and Brussels (BRU) with a Boeing 757-200
• As of March 30, 2024, United will add a second daily flight between Newark (EWR) and Rome (FCO) with a Boeing 767-300
• As of May 23, 2024, United will add a second daily flight between Washington (IAD) and Rome (FCO) with a Boeing 767-300
• As of May 2, 2024, United will operate a daily seasonal Newark (EWR) to Malaga (AGP) route with a Boeing 757-200, representing a frequency increase

United starting transatlantic seasonal flying earlier

Given how strong transatlantic travel demand is, United is starting its summer seasonal flights to Europe much earlier than before. United claims that in the spring of 2023, it saw a 33% increase in customers traveling across the Atlantic compared to the spring of 2022.

So United is resuming the following transatlantic flights earlier than previously planned:

• As of February 15, 2024, United will launch its seasonal Washington (IAD) to Lisbon (LIS) route
• As of February 15, 2024, United will launch its seasonal Washington (IAD) to Rome (FCO) route
• As of March 30, 2024, United will launch its seasonal Newark (EWR) to Nice (NCE) route
• As of March 30, 2024, United will launch its seasonal Chicago (ORD) to Rome (FCO) route
• As of March 30, 2024, United will launch its seasonal Chicago (ORD) to Milan (MXP) route
• As of April 5, 2024, United will launch its seasonal Newark (EWR) to Naples (NAP) route
• As of May 2, 2024, United will launch its seasonal Newark (EWR) to Malaga (AGP) route
• As of May 2, 2024, United will launch its seasonal San Francisco (SFO) to Rome (FCO) route

My goodness, summer seasonal routes launching in mid-February really is a reflection of where the travel demand is, eh?

Bottom line

United Airlines plans to fly its biggest-ever transatlantic schedule in 2024. The carrier was already the biggest across the Atlantic, so there’s only so much the airline can grow. We’re seeing a single new route (Newark to Faro), plus some frequency increases, plus some seasonal routes being moved way earlier.

What do you make of United’s 2024 transatlantic expansion?