United Airlines Soars into Summer 2026 with Four New Transatlantic Destinations and Six New Routes
United Airlines is significantly expanding its international reach for Summer 2026, announcing four brand-new transatlantic destinations and six new routes. This strategic move reinforces United’s position as a leading U.S. carrier for international travel, offering passengers more diverse options across Europe and Asia. The airline is also bringing back popular seasonal routes from previous years, further enhancing its global network.
Key Takeaways
- Four new transatlantic destinations: Split (Croatia), Bari (Italy), Glasgow (Scotland), and Santiago de Compostela (Spain).
- Six new international routes, including service to Reykjavik (Iceland) and Seoul (South Korea).
- All previously launched Summer 2025 expansion routes, including Greenland and Mongolia, will return.
- United will operate flights to a total of 46 transatlantic destinations in Summer 2026.
New Transatlantic Destinations
Starting in April 2026, United will introduce four new cities to its international network, all of which will be unique to the airline among U.S. carriers:
- Newark to Split, Croatia: Beginning April 30, 2026, with three weekly flights on a Boeing 767-300ER.
- Newark to Bari, Italy: Service starts May 1, 2026, operating four times weekly on a Boeing 767-300ER.
- Newark to Glasgow, Scotland: Flights commence May 8, 2026, with daily service on a Boeing 737 MAX 8.
- Newark to Santiago de Compostela, Spain: This new destination will be served starting May 27, 2026, three times weekly on a Boeing 737 MAX 8.
The airline is focusing on Southern Europe, a region showing strong demand. The flights to Split and Bari will utilize United’s premium Boeing 767-300ER aircraft, featuring Polaris business class and Premium Plus cabins. Glasgow and Santiago de Compostela will be served by the Boeing 737 MAX 8.
Additional New Routes
Beyond new destinations, United is launching six new routes:
- Washington, D.C. to Reykjavik, Iceland: Daily seasonal service begins May 21, 2026, on a Boeing 757-200.
- Newark to Seoul, South Korea: This new year-round route starts September 4, 2026, with daily flights on a Boeing 787-9.
This expansion includes adding a third daily frequency to Tel Aviv from Newark, operating four times a week on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, starting March 28, 2026.
Resumption of Popular Routes
United is also bringing back all nine of its new destinations from the Summer 2025 expansion. These include flights to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia; Nuuk, Greenland; and various points in Portugal, Italy, Spain, Taiwan, Senegal, and Mexico, with many starting earlier in 2026 than in the previous year.
Strategic Expansion
United’s strategy for Summer 2026 involves tapping into less-served markets and reinforcing its global presence. By adding these new destinations and routes, United aims to capture demand in emerging travel hotspots while solidifying its status as the U.S. airline with the most international destinations.
Sources
- United adds 4 new destinations, 6 new routes for summer 2026, The Points Guy.
