Wow: United Airlines Adds Service To Mongolia, Greenland, Senegal, And More
United Airlines is gearing up for 2025 with its “largest international expansion in history” including eight new destinations across the globe including Mongolia and Greenland. Let’s unpack this big news.
United Airlines Announces New 2025 Destinations, Routes
While Tokyo Narita may not officially regain its “hub” status, United Airlines is augmenting its planned service from Narita to Cebu, Philippines with three more destinations from NRT.
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia – Tokyo
United will offer seasonal service from Tokyo to Ulaanbaatar (UBN) starting on May 1, 2025. United sees tourist potential, explaining that nearly half a million people visited Mongolia so far in 2024, up 25% compared to 2023.
Kaohsiung, Taiwan – Tokyo
Expanding beyond Tapei, United will start year-round service to Kaohsiung (KHH) on July 11, 2025 from Tokyo Narita.
Koror, Palau – Tokyo
United already flies to Palau from Guam and Manila, Philipines, but will add a nonstop flight from Tokyo Narita, making Palau reachable with one stop on United from the USA.
Nuuk, Greenland – Newark
With the completion of the new airport in Nuuk (GOH), United will fly to Greenland twice weekly from Newark (EWR) starting June 14, 2025. The aircraft on this route has not been announced, but my guess would be a Boeing 757-200 or a Boeing 737 MAX 9 (the flight is only 1,860 miles, about four hours long).
Dakar, Senegal – Washington Dulles
On May 23, 2025 United will launch service to Dakar (DSS) from Washington Dulles (IAD). Delta already serves Dakar from New York (JFK). United boasts Senegal is centrally located on Africa’s west coastline and Dakar is the gateway to Africa with pristine beaches, lush forests, and rich archaeological history.
Palermo, Italy – Newark
On May 21, 2025 United will launch 3x weekly service to Palemro (PMO) on a Boeing 767-400 aircraft. United expects “surging” demand to Italy in 2025 and this will augment existing service to Venice, Naples, Milan, and Rome.
Bilbao, Spain – Newark
United will become the first carrier to launch nonstop service between the largest city in the Spanish Basque Country, Bilbao, and Newark. The flight will operate 3x weekly and launch on May 31, 2025. This will augment service to Palma de Mallorca, Tenerife, and Malaga as well as Barcelona and Madrid.
Madeira Island + Faro, Portugal – Newark
United will launch 4x weekly service to Faro (FAO) starting May 16, 2025 from Newark and 3x weekly service to Madeira Island (FNC). United also serves Porto, Ponta Delgada, and Lisbon in Portugal.
More Expansion, No Cutbacks
Other new routes include:
Houston (IAH) – Puerto Escondido, Mexico (PXM)
San Francisco (SFO) – San Jose, Costa Rica (SJO)
Finally, all existing routes will return, including Christchurch (CHC), so United is not subtracting existing routes to service.
On a call with Patrick Quayle, United’s SVP of Global Network Planning and Alliances, he pushed back on labeling this announcement United’s most “experimental” expansion yet, instead characterizing it as United’s most “exciting” expansion ever.
Quayle also noted that the Airbus A321XLR aircraft have been further delayed into 2026, so none of the new routes will operate with this incoming plane.
CONCLUSION
It is fitting that United announced these new routes after American Airlines and Delta Air Lines, because this announcement puts the others to shame in terms of its global reach. With new and innovate destinations, you must at least give United credit for trying to expand beyond the safe confines of major tourist and business destinations.
A trip to Greenland is certainly within sight now!
What are your thoughts on United’s latest expansion?