United Airlines is set to embark on its largest-ever international expansion, launching flights to eight new destinations across the globe in 2025. In a strategic move to capture the attention of travelers seeking unique experiences, the airline will introduce non-stop routes to cities that are largely underserved by U.S. carriers, spanning continents from Europe to Asia and Africa. The expansion represents a bold bid by United to diversify its global network and appeal to adventurers looking beyond traditional tourist hotspots.
Starting in May of next year, United will roll out these new routes in phases. The airline's latest destinations include Bilbao in Spain, Faro and Madeira Island in Portugal, Palermo in Italy, Nuuk in Greenland, Kaohsiung in Taiwan, Dakar in Senegal, and Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia. The carrier's new flight schedule also includes additional routes to cities it already serves, such as a new service between Washington Dulles International Airport and Nice, France, as well as routes connecting Tokyo's Narita airport to Koror, Palau, and Houston to Puerto Escondido, Mexico.
Patrick Quayle, United's senior vice president of global network planning and alliances, emphasized the airline's focus on catering to travelers seeking novel experiences. "The savvy traveler has been to Paris, Rome, and Madrid so many times that they're looking for something different," Quayle said. He noted that United's strategy aims to "skate where the puck is going," meaning they want to anticipate future travel trends and be a leader in offering diverse and less-explored destinations.
This strategic expansion reflects United's ambition to distinguish itself from competitors by offering routes to destinations that have not yet saturated the tourism market. With routes like Newark to Nuuk, Greenland, set to begin on June 14, and Newark to Palermo, Sicily, starting May 21, United is banking on the appeal of under-the-radar travel spots. Other routes include Faro in Portugal's Algarve region, which will kick off on May 16 with four flights a week, and Madeira Island starting on June 7 with three flights a week.
United's new service to Dakar, Senegal, marks its ongoing commitment to growing its presence in Africa. The carrier first began flights to the continent in 2019 and, with Dakar, will now serve six African cities. Flights from Washington Dulles International Airport to Dakar are scheduled to commence on May 23, offering a gateway to West Africa that will be unmatched by other U.S. airlines.
Additionally, United will introduce service from Tokyo to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, beginning on May 1, positioning itself as the first U.S. carrier to connect these two cities directly. United has been steadily increasing its routes out of Tokyo and will soon offer year-round flights to Koror, Palau, further solidifying its footprint in the Asia-Pacific region.
While the expansion is ambitious, it isn't without risks. The airline has experienced mixed success in experimenting with far-flung routes in the past. For instance, United previously offered a nonstop flight to Bergen, Norway, but discontinued the service in 2023 due to insufficient demand. Despite these challenges, Quayle is optimistic about the airline's ability to pivot and adapt. He emphasized that a diverse and expansive network allows United to stand out in the market, drawing more customers to its lucrative rewards credit cards.
"The more unique content, the more we differentiate ourselves from our competitors and the more people are going to spend on United," Quayle stated, highlighting the value of offering exclusive destinations that can't be reached by other U.S. airlines.
United's decision to expand these routes also comes on the heels of regulatory hurdles that delayed some of its plans. For example, the launch of flights to Faro, Portugal, was postponed due to a Federal Aviation Administration safety review. However, with the FAA's recent clearance, United is ready to proceed, bringing this new route to life.
