United leans into its long-haul edge with new flights to Split, Bari, Glasgow, Santiago de Compostela, Seoul, and Reykjavik.
United Airlines’ Long-Haul Flex
United loves a bold map drop and this round keeps that tradition alive. From its hubs at Newark Liberty International Airport and Washington Dulles, the carrier is rolling out fresh routes across Europe and into Asia, while restoring prior additions to keep its transatlantic footprint broad. As United network chief Patrick Quayle put it, the airline wants to connect customers to places no other U.S. airline serves. With these adds, United touts service to 46 cities across the Atlantic and keeps making the case that it is the de facto U.S. flag carrier for global coverage.
Route Rundown: Europe Gets Variety, Asia Gets Seoul
Beginning April 30, 2026, United will fly Newark to Split, Croatia three times weekly on a 767-300ER. Split is a coastal charmer with beaches, Roman history, and enough “feel-good” glow to land top destination nods. The service complements United’s existing Dubrovnik pattern and gives travelers another Adriatic gateway without a connection.
A few days later, May 1, 2026, comes Newark to Bari, four times per week on a 767-300ER. Bari unlocks Puglia for U.S. travelers who want whitewashed towns, olive groves, and luxury hotels near the Adriatic. Think easy access to Polignano a Mare, Monopoli, and ostuni-daydream territory without backtracking through Rome or Milan.
United keeps the spring momentum going with daily seasonal Newark to Glasgow from May 8, 2026 on a 737 MAX 8. A few weeks later, May 27, 2026, Newark to Santiago de Compostela launches three times weekly on a 737 MAX 8, landing pilgrims and food lovers alike in Spain’s misty, magical Galicia.
The Asia punch lands September 4, 2026, with daily Newark to Seoul on a 787-9. That puts United back in the thick of a competitive Korea corridor, linking the New York metro to one of Asia’s most buzzing capitals with a fuel-efficient widebody built for the mission.
Dulles to Reykjavik: A Mid-Atlantic Ice Bath
United is also turning up the Iceland dial. From Washington Dulles, United will fly daily to Reykjavik on a 757-200, complementing existing links from Chicago and Newark. The timing is spicy. Low-cost rival PLAY has folded and canceled remaining flights, which changes the value equation for quick transatlantic hops through Keflavik. Even without PLAY, the lane is not empty. Icelandair has long worked the Mid-Atlantic with competitive fares and clever connections. United enters with loyalty gravity, schedule depth, and a premium-friendly product that plays well for weekend warriors and mileage collectors.
The Baltimore/Washington Angle: Iceland Heats Up, Southwest Enters Europe
The broader Baltimore/Washington region is suddenly an Iceland story. With United staking a Reykjavik flag at IAD, the metro now sees a true three-way narrative. Icelandair remains the seasoned incumbent with a tidy bank of European connections. United brings Star Alliance utility and a smooth path to Europe or a quick stop-and-go to the Nordics.
Then there is Southwest and its foray into Europe from the Baltimore/Washington market. For a carrier built on domestic depth, the first European destination is a statement play that puts pressure on fares and keeps the region’s travelers swimming in options. That means more choice for price-sensitive flyers, more loyalty calculus for elites, and more competitive tension on schedules that once felt like sleepy shoulder-season experiments. In short, Reykjavik just became a proving ground where legacy strength, hybrid value, and low-cost simplicity all show up on the same departure board.
Context: United’s Wider Push
United is not doing this in a vacuum. The carrier is also preparing to launch flights to Vietnam and Thailand, the latter just named Travel + Leisure’s 2025 Destination of the Year. Competitors are moving too. Delta Air Lines recently announced two new nonstops to Sardinia and Malta, a reminder that the transatlantic board is constantly reshuffling as demand stays resilient and aircraft availability improves.
What This Means For Travelers
If you like fewer connections and more niche cities, this is your season. Split and Bari trim hours off beach runs that used to require zigzags. Glasgow and Santiago de Compostela bring character and culture with friendly flight times. Seoul adds a clean daily option from the New York area that plays well for business and leisure. Dulles to Reykjavik tightens the loop for Mid-Atlantic flyers who want a quick hop, a geothermal soak, or a smart connection deeper into Europe.
Conclusion
United’s latest route map leans into exactly what the airline does best: lots of dots, thoughtful seasonality, and just enough surprise to keep trip planners interested. With Newark and Dulles as springboards, the carrier is layering in sun, culture, and serious food scenes across Europe while teeing up a marquee Asia link to Seoul. Add a fresh Iceland duel in the Baltimore/Washington orbit and you get a competitive cocktail that favors travelers. More choice, better schedules, and a little sparkle on destinations that used to be two flights and a prayer. I’ll take that trade every time.
