United Airlines announced four new transatlantic routes set to launch in 2026, including destinations in Croatia, Italy, Scotland, and Spain. The carrier also plans a new route to Iceland and South Korea and increased service to Israel.

United Airlines Adds New Intercontinental Routes In 2026

Let’s review each new route and then I’ll offer some additional insight I learned during a telephone call with Patrick Quayle, United’s Senior Vice President of Global Network Planning and Alliances, yesterday afternoon.

United Will Launch 767-300 Service To Split, Croatia

As of April 30, 2026, United will launch 3x weekly summer seasonal service between Newark (EWR) and Split (SPU). The flight will utilize a “high J” 767-300 with 46 seats in “Polaris” business class, 22 seats in “Premium Plus” premium economy, 43 “EconomyPlus” extra legroom seats, and 56 seats in economy class.

United Will Launch 767-300 Service To Bari, Italy

United will launch nonstop service between Newark and Bari (BRI) on May 1, 2026. The flight will operate 4x weekly and also utilize a “high J” (J meaning the code for business class) 767-300. United touts that Bari will serve as a gateway via boat to Albania, Croatia, and Greece.

Next summer, United will offer up to 15 flights per day to Italy across six destinations, with the only U.S.
airline service to Palermo (PMO) and Bari.

United Will Launch 737 MAX 8 Service To Glasgow, Scotland

After an extended hiatus, United will return to Glasgow (GLA) with daily service from Newark beginning on May 8, 2025. Interestingly, United will not use a 757-200 on the route, but instead use a Boeing 737 MAX 8 on the route, an aricraft that does not have lie-flat seating in hte forward cabin. Instead, the recliner seatas will be marketed as premium economy.

United Will Launch 737 MAX 8 Service To Santiago de Compostela, Spain

United will be the only carrier to offer nonstop service between the U.S. and Santiago de Compostela, the capital of the Galicia region in Spain, when seasonal service begins on May 22, 2026. The 3x weekly flight will be operated by a 737 MAX 8.

With the addition of this flihgt, United will fly to six destinations in Spain, including Madrid, Barcelona, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, and Bilbao, and is the only airline to fly nonstop to Bilbao, Malaga, and Palma de Mallorca from the USA.

United Will Launch New 757-200 Route From Washington Dulles To Reykjavik, Iceland

Challenging Icelandair, United will add service from Dulles (IAD) to Reykjavik (KEF) on a Boeing 757-200 with lie-flat seating in business class. The service will operate daily and complement existing service from Newark and Chicago (ORD).

United Will Launch New 787-9 Route From Newark To Seoul, South Korea

A highly anticipated route, United will add nonstop service between Newark and Seoul (ICN), augmenting its twice-daily service from San Francisco (SFO). A 787-9 Dreamliner will be used for the route

United Will Add More Tel Aviv Service From Newark

On March 28, 2026 United will add a third flight to Tel Aviv (TLV) from Newark, utilizing a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. United already operates 2x daily service to Tel Aviv and this third flight will operate 4x per week. Service from Chicago (4x weekly) and Washington Dulles (3x weekly) will continue, with no immediate plans to re-launch the San Francisco – Tel Aviv route.

All Existing Routes Will Return

In addition to these new routes, all existing routes–spanning from Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Nuuk, Greenland will return:

• Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia: April 30, 2026
• Faro, Portugal: May 15, 2026
• Madeira Island, Portugal: May 16, 2026
• Palermo, Italy: May 22, 2026
• Bilbao, Spain: May 30, 2026
•  Nuuk, Greenland: June 6, 2026
• Kaohsiung, Taiwan: Operating year-round service
• Dakar, Senegal: Operating year-round service
• Puerto Escondido, Mexico: Operating year-round service

The only cutbacks will be Newark to Frankfurt (FRA) and Newark to Athens (ATH), which will drop from 2x daily to daily next summer.

737 MAX 8 On Transatlantic Routes?

Using a 737 without lie-flat seating on transatlantic routes may seem odd, but it is not new. United already uses the 737-8 on routes to Nuuk, Greenland (GOH) and Ponta Delgada (PDL) in the Portuguese Azores. United has ordered the Airbus A321 XLR as a replacement for its aging Boeing 757-200 fleet, but Quayle told Live And Let’s Fly, “Quite candidly, even I had the XLR, I wouldn’t use on these routes.” Quayle explained that the MAX 8 has made routes possible that otherwise could not viably operate.

That’s where the MAX 8 is extremely valuable and allows us to get into some of these ‘sportier’ markets where there is less demand for a lie-flat seat.

He added, “The XLR will enhance and upgrade the service where the 757-200 currently serves,” but will not replace certain routes that are more suited for a lesisure-configured 737 MAX 8.

The Flag Carrier Of The USA

United continues to call itself the flag carrier of the United States. Quayle explained:

“United has an unmatched international network, and we pride ourselves on connecting our customers to unique, trendsetting destinations no other U.S. airline serves,” said  “With the addition of these new flights and the return of all of our new routes from last year, United now flies to 46 cities across the Atlantic – more than any other airline – and is the clear flag carrier of the U.S.”

Calling itself the flag carrier of the U.S. is something that CEO Scott Kriby has done since the pandemic, but it is not an official designation.

> Read More: CEO Scott Kirby Believes United Is “Flag Carrier” Of The United States

United Goes A Different Direction Than Delta

I pointed out to Quayle that Delta recently announced service from New York (JFK) to Oblia (OLB) and Malta (MLA) and also considered service to Ibizia (IBZ), asking if United considered these specific routes from Newark and whether Delta’s decision to launch them at all influenced his decision to pass them over this year. Quayle did not take the bait:

“My sole focus is on building the right network for United and our customers. These new destinations – like the dozens of new dots on the map we’ve added in the last several years – capitalize on the unique strengths of United’s hubs and fleet, while also unlocking experiences travelers just can’t get on any other airline.”

The decision to unveil these new routes on the day Delta reveals its Q3 2025 earnings is no coincidence.

CONCLUSION

United is launching several new routes to Europe in 2026, continuing to build on consecutive summers of expansion to Europe. Tickets for these new destinations will go on sale today. While the choice to utilize more 737 MAX 8 on additional transatlantic routes is certain to be controversial, it’s a practical consideration that bets on people preferring to fly nonstop from the US, even without a premium product.