LONDON – United Airlines has this week announced its ambitious plan to capture a sizable market share of its transatlantic destinations in Europe and the Middle East with new flights announced from as early as May to capitalize on the upcoming summer season.
As travel demand is surging with new borders opening their doors for international travelers after two harsh years of the pandemic, United Airlines has launched its ambitious project to connect United Stated with European gateways with a primary focus on international holidaymakers and VFR.
The new historic announcement by United Airlines, with plans to launch or restart as many as 30 new destinations across transatlantic in Europe and the Middle East, will bring United’s market share to European service amongst US carriers upfront.
Speaking on this occasion, Unite Airlines senior vice president of international network and alliances, Mr. Patrick Quayle said, “We have long anticipated a strong demand recovery, evidenced by our large, strategic expansion in Europe, and with these new flights, we’re proud to offer our customers more options and access than ever before.”
“United continues to leverage its leading global network in new and exciting ways to help our customers make meaningful memories and experience new cultures around the world.”
United’s robust expansion strategy…
As United has revealed its historic and ambitious plans to expand its network in international markets connecting the United States with the European tourist and business destinations, the key factor has always contributed to the demand curve that is observed on these routes.
As the world is looming out of pandemic and leisure travel once again seeing a surge, United has seized this opportunity to strengthen its position within the United States by challenging its rival carriers on such routes.
United Airlines has plans to fly its aircrafts 25% more on transatlantic routes over the spring and summer travel season in comparison to 2019.
The new destinations will allow American tourists and VFR to explore and indulge in the European seaside destinations along with the pearl of the Middle East, and Jordan once again.
Amman, Jordan
United Airlines in its historic move has decided to connect two capitals, Washington DC and Amman, Jordan with their thrice-a-week service from 5th May.
Amman, the pearl of the Middle East will be connected with Washington by using Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft, offering United’s customers a delightful experience to indulge in the beauty of Jordan, with many attractions like Dead Seas, Wadi Rum desert, and historic monuments like Petra to explore from.
Bergen, Norway
United Airlines is determined to connect Norway with the United States with the only US carrier to offer flights to Norway.
The new thrice a week service between New York / Newark to Bergen will commence its operations on 20th May using Boeing 757-200 aircraft. This will allow American tourists to explore the scenic beauty of Norway with its surrounding mountains and jaw-dropping fjords.
Ponta Delgada, Azores, Portugal
United Airlines will be adding 3rd Portuguese destination with a new service to Ponta Delgada in the Azores starting from 13th May, with direct flights from New York / Newark.
The new service will be offered onboard Boeing 737MAX8 with a better flying experience. This new addition will strengthen United’s position in Portugal as it currently connects Newark to Porto and Washington/Newark to Lisbon.
Palma de Mallorca, Spain
United Airlines will be offering more scenic beach destinations to its customers with the launch of a new service between New York / Newark to Palma de Mallorca in Spain.
This new non-stop service will be offered using Boeing 767-300 ER. This will offer American tourists to explore and indulge in pristine beaches and Spanish hospitality.
This will be the first and only non-stop service between the US and Palma de Mallorca, bringing United’s position in Spanish markets to the limelight. Besides this, united currently offers services between the US to Madrid and Barcelona.
Tenerife, Canary Islands
United is offering its customers another stunning beach destination on the Spanish coast with its new non-stop service between New York / Newark to Tenerife starting from 9th June.
This is the only service offered by the United which connects beautiful Canary Island to North America.
This new route will be operated using Boeing 757-200 aircraft giving American tourists an opportunity to indulge in stunning black and white beaches in the Spanish Canary Islands with happening nightlife and Spanish hospitality.
Extended Expansion to European Cities
As Covid travel restrictions around many European destinations are easing or being removed with demand to European cities seen increased, United has seized an opportunity to strengthen its services to many popular destinations in Europe.
- United has once again proved its ambitious strategy with a new daily non-stop service between Boston and London Heathrow, marking the only trans-Atlantic flight between point-to-point service from Boston. This service has gained support as it offers service to London Heathrow from Boston by connecting all seven United hubs in the US.
- Another remarkable service between Denver to Munich applauds United’s strategic move to connect transatlantic cities. This daily non-stop service is the only one offered by US carriers.
- With a new service between Chicago and Zurich, the United States will be the only carrier connecting Chicago to Switzerland.
- A new daily non-stop service between Chicago and Milan will be the only service being offered by the US carrier United. This will offer American tourists to explore Italian culture, hospitality, and nightlife with access onboard this United service.
- New daily service between New York / Newark and Nice in the French riviera will offer Americans an opportunity to explore the scenic beauty of France with more premium seats added to the service.
Additionally, looking at the demand surge to certain European destinations, United Airlines has decided to increase services to cities like:
- New York/Newark – Dublin will be seeing additional daily service, bringing total 2 flights a day
- Denver – London Heathrow will get another daily service, connecting cities with twice a day option.
- New York/ Newark – Frankfurt will get a second daily service.
- New York/ Newark – Rome will get a second daily service.
- San Francisco – London Heathrow route will be strengthening with a third daily service.
- And New York/ Newark – London Heathrow will be connected with seven daily flights.
United’s flight ahead
With many exciting routes and additional services that United Airlines has brought for its customers, it is evident that the carrier is looking ahead to fulfill its expansion strategy with more passenger traffic and certainly, post-pandemic travel demand share.
But as the carrier is preparing itself with these new offerings, excitement at the United HQ is over the roof.
Speaking on this announcement, United Airlines’ senior vice president of international network and alliances, Mr. Patrick Quayle said:
“We have not seen any softness in terms of demand, but there might be some impact on demand for connections to cities farther east in countries like Poland and Romania that are served by United’s partner Lufthansa.”
Mr. Quayle further added, “United is logging “robust” demand for more expensive products like its Polaris business class and its premium economy class for trans-Atlantic flights. Along with business travel across the Atlantic is returning.”
Furthermore, United is set to increase its transatlantic services to the African continent with the addition of daily flights to Accra, Ghana, and aiming for season service to Cape Town, South Africa.
With this robust expansion across the international sector, United is bound to make a strong presence in the European market and thus offer more services to additional European cities in the future.
It is strongly evident that United is willing to leave no stone unturned for the upcoming spring and summer season travel demand.
