United Adds 10 International Cities for 2027; Largest Expansion in Airline's History
United announced the largest international network expansion in company history with 10 new international cities and three new routes across Europe and Asia, and debuted the newest international aircraft in its fleet, the 'Born to Explore' A321XLR, at an event at Newark Liberty International Airport.
Expansion Highlights
- Largest international growth in company history: 10 new cities + 3 new routes.
- United now serves 160+ international destinations.
- Debut of the new “Born to Explore” Airbus A321XLR at Newark Liberty International Airport.
New Destinations (Starting March–June 2027)
- San Francisco → Okinawa, Japan (3x weekly, Boeing 777-200ER)
- Washington Dulles → Toulouse, France (daily, A321XLR)
- Newark → Luxembourg City, Luxembourg (daily, A321XLR)
- Newark → Marseille, France (daily, A321XLR)
- Newark → Ibiza, Spain (4x weekly, A321XLR)
- Newark → Valencia, Spain (3x weekly, A321XLR)
- Newark → Terceira, Portugal (Azores) (3x weekly, Boeing 737 MAX 8)
- Newark → Ljubljana, Slovenia (4x weekly, Boeing 767-400ER)
- Newark → Olbia, Sardinia (Italy) (3x weekly, Boeing 767-300ER)
- Newark → Catania, Sicily (Italy) (4x weekly, Boeing 767-300ER)
(United is the only U.S. airline flying nonstop to Okinawa, Toulouse, Luxembourg, Ibiza, Valencia, Terceira, and Ljubljana.)
Additional Routes
- Los Angeles → Osaka, Japan (daily)
- Washington, D.C. → Milan, Italy (3x weekly)
- Denver → Paris, France (daily)
- San Francisco → Tel Aviv, Israel (restart, 3x weekly)
- Summer 2027 returns: Newark to Split (Croatia), Bari (Italy), Glasgow (Scotland), Santiago de Compostela (Spain).
Aircraft Innovation – A321XLR “Born to Explore”
- Features:
- United Polaris® suites with privacy doors
- Free Starlink Wi-Fi for MileagePlus members
- 4K OLED screens with Bluetooth
- Snack bar in Economy
- New Economy Plus® seating with shared table across open middle seat
- 32 premium seats (20 Polaris + 12 Premium Plus) → 16 more than Boeing 757-200.
- First international flights: Washington Dulles → Amsterdam & Dublin (Dec 1, 2026).
Leadership Insights
- Scott Kirby (CEO): Expansion differentiates United, builds customer-focused brand.
- Patrick Quayle (SVP Global Network Planning): Goal is to have a destination for every traveler, at every stage of life.
This expansion cements United’s position as the largest U.S. carrier across the Atlantic and Pacific, with unmatched breadth in Europe and Asia.
