United Airlines Expands European Footprint with New Summer 2026 Routes to Croatia, Italy, Scotland, and Spain
NEWark, N.Y. โ United Airlines announced today a significant expansion of its global network for Summer 2026, launching nonstop flights to four new European cities: Split (Croatia), Bari (Italy), Glasgow (Scotland), and Santiago de Compostela (Spain). The airline will also debut service to Reykjavik (Iceland), increase flights to Seoul (South Korea), and add capacity to Tel Aviv (Israel). These additions, starting in April and May 2026, offer travellers enhanced connectivity and new destinations on high-season itineraries, though specific flight deals will be available through Unitedโs booking channels later this year.
This strategic expansion reflects Unitedโs ongoing push to strengthen its transatlantic network and capture growing demand from leisure and business travellers seeking off-the-beaten-path destinations and direct connections from its key hubs. Industry experts note that offering nonstop service to these cities positions United advantageously against competitors like Lufthansa, Air France, and British Airways, particularly for cities where no U.S.-based carrier currently flies directly.
New European Gateways and Unique Opportunities
The inclusion of these four European cities marks a substantial diversification of Unitedโs European offerings beyond traditional powerhouses like London, Paris, and Frankfurt. Travel analysts suggest this aligns with a broader trend of travellers seeking less crowded, culturally rich destinations missed by major carriers.
- Split, Croatia: United will offer the only nonstop service between New York/Newark (EWR) and Split, beginning April 30, 2026. Flights will operate three times weekly using a Boeing 767-300ER. As Croatiaโs second-largest city and a gateway to the Adriatic coast, this route fills a major connectivity gap, with destinations like Dubrovnik already served seasonally by United. Travellers can connect easily from Split to other Adriatic destinations like Albania and Greece.
- Bari, Italy: Launching May 1, 2026, United becomes the only U.S. airline flying nonstop from Newark to Bari, offering four weekly flights on a Boeing 767-300ER. This route positions Bari โ a coastal city in Puglia โ as a new entry point for exploring southern Italy. Unitedโs existing network provides travellers access to five other Italian destinations (Rome, Milan, Venice, Palermo, and soon others), enhancing Bariโs appeal.
- Glasgow, Scotland: Commencing May 8, 2026, United will serve Glasgow daily (Boise 737-MAX8) from Newark. The airline emphasises that this offers a unique nonstop connection to Scotlandโs largest city, known for its cultural scene and craftsmanship. United already flies year-round to Edinburgh and is the largest U.S. carrier to Scotland, solidifying its position in this market.
- Santiago de Compostela, Spain: Beginning May 22, 2026, United will be the only airline offering nonstop U.S. service to this Galician city. Flying three times weekly (Boeing 737-MAX8) from Newark, this inaugural route makes the historic pilgrimage site and regional capital more accessible than ever. United now flies to six Spanish destinations, including several it serves nonstop only from the U.S.
Complementary Destinations and Route Enhancements
Beyond the headline European launches, United will also initiate new routes and increase frequency on existing ones:
- Reykjavik, Iceland: Daily year-round service on Boeing 757-200s will begin May 21, 2026, from Washington Dulles (IAD), complementing existing flights from Chicago OโHare (ORD) and Newark. United markets this route as offering the only lie-flat business class seats on the North Atlantic corridor between the U.S. and Reykjavik.
- Seoul, South Korea: Daily flights on Boeing 787-9s will start September 4, 2026, from Newark, expanding Unitedโs offering beyond its existing twice-daily service from San Francisco (SFO). This provides travellers with more flexibility to access South Koreaโs capital.
- Tel Aviv, Israel: United will add a third weekly flight from Newark to Tel Aviv (operating Boeing 787-9), increasing total frequency from its U.S. east coast bases to four weekly services. This supplements existing routes from Chicago (ORD) and Washington Dulles (IAD).
Strategic Expansion and Competitive Impact
โUnitedโs focus on landing in less saturated European cities provides much-needed connectivity for travellers seeking authentic experiences without the burden of multiple layovers,โ stated Dr Elena Rossi, Travel Analytics Director at Global Market Insights. โOffering the only U.S. nonstop to Split, Bari, Glasgow, and Santiago builds loyalty as vacationers discover new hotspots. Flexibility from multiple U.S. hubs also aligns with travellers switching departure airports based on airfare deals.โ
This expansion is part of Unitedโs broader competitive strategy to differentiate itself from legacy carriers. By focusing on underserved destinations and leveraging its Boeing 787 and 737 MAX fleets for point-to-point efficiency, United aims to capture market share from airlines relying heavily on European hub transfers. The rollout of new aircraft and upgraded cabins in 2026 supports these longer flights.
Industry Context and Implications for Travellers
The timing of Unitedโs announcement reflects increased traveller demand for direct transatlantic routes and a willingness to explore beyond mass-tourism hotspots. According to data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), transatlantic leisure traffic in 2024 grew by approximately 12% year-on-year, outpacing business travel. Meanwhile, destination-specific demand for cities like Split and Bari often requires complex connections via larger hubs.
For travellers, this means easier access to new destinations without extensive layovers or costly stopovers. Airlines like United, Delta, and Virgin Atlantic have historically raced to be the first carrier offering seats to burgeoning markets, using these routes as strategic assets โ especially on critical dates like Easter and family holidays when capacity determines affordability. Securing nonstop service significantly improves reliability and convenience compared to connecting flights.
While specific price points and promotional offers (e.g., early-bird flight deals) arenโt announced yet, Unitedโs standard booking practices suggest advance purchases for key dates in summer 2026 could yield competitive pricing, particularly as airlines book capacity ahead of high season.
Future Outlook and Market Response
The rollout of Unitedโs new routes underscores the airlineโs intent to reclaim market share lost to newer competitors and airlines with stronger European strategies. Analysts expect positive consumer reception, especially for cities currently underserved by direct U.S. flights. The revenue potential for United is substantial, particularly on leisure-correlated routes where ancillary revenue (seat selection, baggage fees) remains high.
Travel agencies and expectation remaining cautious regarding post-summer volume, citing challenges like fluctuating jet fuel prices and evolving geopolitical considerations (e.g., situations impacting regional destinations). However, Unitedโs multi-hub approach and focus on premium cabins mitigate some risk associated with new long-haul routes.
As economies adapt to post-pandemic travel patterns, airlines like United will continue refining their offerings. The current expansion signals a willingness to invest heavily in new territories and service types โ whether low-cost carriers introduce new budget travel options or legacy airlines elevate premium cabin experiences on latest-generation jets. For now, travellers with an appetite for discovery should monitor Unitedโs official channels for the inaugural exit offers later in 2025, as early buyers typically secure the most attractive airfare deals for the Summer 2026 season. The competition for cheap flight deals to emerging European destinations will intensify with this announcement.
