CHICAGO- United Airlines (UA) kicks off its summer 2026 schedule this week with nonstop service to new European destinations from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).

The carrier launches flights to Split (SPU) in Croatia, Bari (BRI) in Italy, Glasgow (GLA) in Scotland, Santiago de Compostela (SCQ) in Spain, and Reykjavik (KEF) in Iceland, starting April 30. These routes make United the only U.S. airline with direct service to all four new European cities.

During peak summer travel, United will operate up to 210 daily flights between the United States and 36 European destinations, including Greenland. Of these 36 destinations, 14 are exclusive to United among U.S. network carriers.

The airline also resumes all nine seasonal routes introduced during its record 2025 expansion, reinforcing its position as the largest U.S. carrier across the Atlantic.

United Airlines 4 New Destinations

United’s summer 2026 expansion targets culturally rich, coastal, and off-the-beaten-path destinations that travelers increasingly seek.

All five new routes depart from either Newark (EWR) or Washington Dulles (IAD), connecting the East Coast to parts of Europe previously unreachable on a single nonstop flight from the United States.

Split (SPU) in Croatia receives its first-ever nonstop service from the U.S. starting April 30. United operates three weekly flights, connecting travelers to the Dalmatian Coast.

Split serves as a gateway to popular islands such as Hvar and Brač, and the city itself is home to the ancient Diocletian’s Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Bari (BRI) in Italy launches on May 1 with four weekly flights. United becomes the only U.S. carrier to serve southern Italy’s Puglia region nonstop.

The route opens direct access to Bari’s historic Old Town, the Trulli dwellings in Alberobello, and ferry connections to Albania, Croatia, and Greece. With this addition, United will operate up to 15 daily flights to six Italian cities during the summer season.

Glasgow (GLA) in Scotland begins daily seasonal service on May 8. This marks the only nonstop service between the U.S. and Glasgow, restoring a route United previously operated until 2019.

Glasgow holds UNESCO City of Music status and serves as a base for exploring the Scottish Highlands. United pairs this with year-round Edinburgh (EDI) service, making it the largest U.S. carrier to Scotland.

Santiago de Compostela (SCQ) in Spain starts three weekly flights from Newark (EWR) on May 27.

This is the first regularly scheduled nonstop service between the U.S. and the historic pilgrimage city, the endpoint of the famous Camino de Santiago.

Reykjavik (KEF) in Iceland gains daily nonstop service from Washington Dulles (IAD) starting May 21.

United operates this capital-to-capital route, offering lie-flat business class seats. No other carrier provides lie-flat service on the Washington-to-Reykjavik corridor.

Returning Seasonal Routes Build on Record 2025 Performance

United’s 2025 summer expansion set a company record for the most new destinations launched in a single season. All nine routes return for 2026, several with earlier start dates that reflect growing demand.

Ulaanbaatar (UBN) in Mongolia resumes three weekly flights from Tokyo Narita (NRT) on April 30. Faro (FAO) in Portugal restarts four weekly flights from Newark (EWR) on May 15.

Madeira Island (FNC) in Portugal returns with three weekly flights from Newark on May 16, launching three weeks earlier than its 2025 debut.

Palermo (PMO) in Italy brings back three weekly flights from Newark on May 22. Bilbao (BIO) in Spain resumes three weekly flights from Newark on May 30. Nuuk (GOH) in Greenland returns with twice-weekly service from Newark on June 6, one week earlier than last year.

United carried 1.5 million passengers to Italy, Spain, and Portugal by August 2025, an 11% increase over the previous year. The Nuuk route sold out faster than any other in United’s history. These performance numbers drove the decision to resume all returning routes and extend several of them earlier into the season.

Growing Demand for Distinctive European Travel

United’s network strategy reflects a broader shift in traveler preferences. Customers are moving beyond traditional European hubs toward coastal towns, cultural capitals, and lesser-known destinations.

The airline now serves 46 transatlantic cities, more than any other U.S. carrier, with nearly 770 weekly round-trips across the Atlantic.

Patrick Quayle, Senior Vice President of Global Network Planning and Alliances at United, has noted that the airline’s expansion targets cities where demand exists but nonstop service from the U.S. does not.

The four new European destinations fill gaps that previously required connections through major European airports, adding convenience for leisure travelers and reducing total journey times.

United’s 2026 summer schedule operates alongside continued growth in other international markets. The airline adds a third daily flight to Tel Aviv (TLV) from Newark starting March 28, bringing total weekly service to 18 flights.

A new daily nonstop from Newark to Seoul (ICN) in South Korea begins September 4. Together, these additions bring United’s global network to over 150 destinations served by more than 850 daily flights.

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