United Airlines has unveiled its Summer 2026 schedule, announcing new routes that will expand the carrier’s transatlantic and transpacific network. The U.S. airline will introduce nonstop service to four new European destinations and add new frequencies and routes in Asia, reinforcing its position as the leading U.S. carrier across the Atlantic.
The airline will launch flights from its Newark/New York hub to Split in Croatia, Bari in Italy, Glasgow in Scotland, and Santiago de Compostela in Spain. It will also introduce new services from Washington Dulles to Reykjavik, Iceland, alongside expanded long-haul operations to Seoul, South Korea, and Tel Aviv, Israel. These additions form part of United’s strategy to grow international capacity and connect travelers to both emerging and established markets.
New Routes Across Europe and Asia
With the 2026 schedule, United becomes the only U.S. carrier offering direct service to the four new European destinations. The expansion builds on what the airline describes as its most extensive international network to date, featuring 46 cities across the Atlantic and nearly 3,000 weekly international roundtrips during the summer season. All new flights are subject to government approval and are now available for booking on United.com and the airline’s mobile app.
“United has an unmatched international network, and we pride ourselves on connecting our customers to unique, trendsetting destinations no other U.S. airline serves,” said Patrick Quayle, Senior Vice President of Global Network Planning and Alliances. “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 – and is the clear flag carrier of the U.S.”
United’s upcoming summer network continues the airline’s focus on diversifying its long-haul operations to appeal to both leisure and corporate travelers. The schedule combines new point-to-point links to secondary European cities with the continuation of high-demand routes from its 2025 expansion. According to the airline, the combination of leisure-oriented destinations and new business hubs reflects the evolving preferences of international travelers.
The four new European routes will operate from Newark Liberty International Airport, United’s primary transatlantic gateway. The airline will deploy Boeing 767-300ER aircraft on the routes to Split and Bari, offering United Polaris business class, Premium Plus, Economy Plus, and Economy cabins. The new services to Glasgow and Santiago de Compostela will use Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft configured for medium-haul transatlantic flights.
In addition to the European launches, United will add a new daily flight between Washington Dulles and Reykjavik, Iceland, operated by a Boeing 757-200, which includes lie-flat business class seats. The carrier is also expanding capacity to Asia, introducing a year-round daily service from Newark to Seoul and adding four additional weekly flights between Newark and Tel Aviv, for a total of 18 weekly frequencies.
As part of the airline’s network growth, United will also reinstate nine seasonal routes from its 2025 expansion, including services to Ulaanbaatar, Nuuk, Palermo, Bilbao, Faro, Madeira Island, and year-round operations to Dakar, Puerto Escondido, and Kaohsiung.
Strategic Growth Across Key Markets
The airline’s 2026 expansion underscores United’s ambition to dominate the transatlantic market while growing its footprint in Asia and the Middle East. United said the new routes were selected to meet strong demand for both leisure and business travel, with a focus on cities that offer a mix of cultural appeal, natural attractions, and growing corporate investment links.
In Croatia, the new Newark–Split route will provide the only nonstop service between the United States and the Dalmatian Coast, beginning April 30. The destination, known for Diocletian’s Palace, the Cathedral of Saint Dominus, and its Adriatic harbor, is a growing summer tourism hub. United already operates flights to Dubrovnik and will become the only U.S. airline serving two Croatian cities.
Flights to Bari, Italy, will begin May 1, making United the first U.S. airline to serve the Puglia region directly. Bari serves as a gateway to southern Italy’s Adriatic coast, known for its historic Old Town, Trulli buildings, and coastal villages. The service will operate four times weekly and is part of United’s expanded Italian network, which will include up to 15 flights per day across six cities next summer, including Rome, Milan, Naples, Palermo, and now Bari.
From May 8, United will offer daily seasonal service between Newark and Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city. Known for its Victorian architecture, world-class museums, and live music venues, Glasgow joins Edinburgh on United’s Scottish network, further strengthening transatlantic connectivity for travelers with heritage or business ties to the region. The 737 MAX 8 aircraft will provide enhanced fuel efficiency and passenger comfort on the six-hour route.
In Spain, United will introduce service between Newark and Santiago de Compostela from May 22, becoming the first airline to connect the U.S. and Galicia’s capital. The historic city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the endpoint of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. United said the new service complements its existing Spanish network to Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, and Bilbao, where it remains the only U.S. carrier offering nonstop flights to several of these cities.
Reykjavik, Iceland, will join United’s network on May 21 with a daily connection from Washington Dulles. The new route follows growing demand for Icelandic tourism and builds on United’s existing flights from Chicago and Newark. With lie-flat business class on the Boeing 757-200, United becomes the only airline offering such a product between the two capitals. The route provides access to Iceland’s natural attractions, including the Blue Lagoon, black sand beaches, and Northern Lights viewing during winter months.
United’s expansion into Asia continues with a new year-round daily service from Newark to Seoul starting September 4 on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. The route enhances connectivity between North America and South Korea’s capital, a major technology and culture hub. The airline already operates twice-daily flights from San Francisco to Seoul. United said the new route will support growing demand for both business travel and tourism, as South Korea remains one of Asia’s most popular destinations for U.S. travelers.
In addition, United will increase frequencies to Tel Aviv, adding a third Newark flight on March 28 to meet rising travel demand. The additional service, operated by a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, will bring the total to 18 weekly flights between the two cities. The airline also operates flights from Chicago O’Hare and Washington Dulles to Tel Aviv, positioning it as the largest U.S. carrier serving Israel.
Record Transatlantic Network and Passenger Growth
United’s Summer 2026 schedule follows a year of record-breaking international performance. As of August 2025, the airline carried nearly 1.5 million passengers to Italy, Spain, and Portugal — an 11% increase compared with the previous year. Its inaugural service to Nuuk, Greenland, was the fastest-selling launch in United’s history, according to the company.
In 2026, United will offer more than 850 daily flights to and from 150 international destinations, including 41 cities not served by any other U.S. airline. The schedule reflects the carrier’s ongoing commitment to network expansion, particularly in secondary European cities and developing markets. The airline continues to pursue a mix of seasonal and year-round routes to balance tourism peaks and maintain operational flexibility.
According to United, flexibility will remain central to its strategy. The airline is adapting its international offering to meet evolving passenger demand and respond to geopolitical shifts and regulatory changes affecting global travel. Its focus on both emerging markets and established leisure destinations is designed to sustain growth in a competitive transatlantic market while leveraging its long-haul fleet efficiency.
With its latest schedule, United consolidates its position as the largest U.S. carrier in transatlantic travel and continues to extend its reach across Europe and Asia. The airline expects to maintain this trajectory through 2026 as new aircraft deliveries, market recovery, and long-haul demand strengthen its global operations.
