United Airlines adds new routes, largest international expansion in company’s history

United Airlines announced on Tuesday that it is adding new routes from the U.S. to Europe and Asia, the largest international network expansion in company history.

Beginning as early as March 2027, United will fly to 10 new international cities across Europe and Asia, with flights originating from its hubs in San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Newark, N.J. The airline currently flies to more international destinations than any other U.S. carrier.

“The creative and strategic way we’ve expanded our international network since the pandemic has made all the difference, not only for our customers and employees, but also as a way to differentiate United and build a brand focused on customers,” said United CEO Scott Kirby.

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From San Francisco to:

• Okinawa, Japan (begins March 27; three times weekly on the Boeing 777-200ER)

From Washington Dulles to:

• Toulouse, France (begins April 26; daily on the A321XLR)

From Newark to:

• Luxembourg City, Luxembourg (begins April 2; daily on the A321XLR)
• Ljubljana, Slovenia (begins May 12; four times weekly on the Boeing 767-400ER)
• Olbia (Sardinia), Italy (begins May 27; three times weekly on the Boeing 767-300ER)
• Catania (Sicily), Italy (begins May 28; four times weekly on the Boeing 767-300ER)
• Ibiza, Spain (begins May 31; four times weekly on the A321XLR)
• Valencia, Spain (begins June 2; three times weekly on the A321XLR)
• Marseille, France (begins June 4; daily on the A321XLR)
• Terceira, Portugal (begins June 9; three times weekly on the Boeing 737 Max 8)

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The airline is also adding flights to destinations it already serves, including Los Angeles to Osaka, Japan (begins March 27); Washington, D.C., to Milan, Italy (begins May 28); and Denver to Paris (begins May 27). United will also resume service from San Francisco to Tel Aviv on March 28.

United said on Tuesday it expects enough Airbus A321XLR deliveries to support its European expansion next summer, as the carrier pushes into smaller markets and sees travel to the region staying strong into the autumn months.

Patrick Quayle, United’s senior vice president of global network planning and alliances, acknowledged “a few teething issues” with the A321XLR program but said the airline expects to have an adequate number delivered to fly the routes.

“We feel confident that we will have the number of aircraft needed in order to operate the schedule,” he told reporters.

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United ordered the A321XLR, a long-range single-aisle jet, in 2019 and plans to begin international service with the aircraft on Dec. 1, 2026, from Washington Dulles to Amsterdam and Dublin.

Quayle said United is phasing out its Boeing 757s as the A321XLR jets enter service, and that the fleet plan is continually updated to account for delays at aircraft manufacturers.

Reuters contributed to this report.