United Continues to Expand Global Network; Introduces Three New International Destinations and Four New Flights
United is the only U.S. airline to offer non-stop flights to Marrakesh, Morocco and Cebu, Philippines and will fly non-stop to Medellin, Colombia for the first time in its history
Airline increases flying to Portugal, Hong Kong and South Korea; resumes Los Angeles-Shanghai service
CHICAGO, March 7, 2024 – Today United announced it is expanding its leading global route network, adding new non-stop flights between New York/Newark-Marrakesh, Morocco; Tokyo/Narita-Cebu, Philippines and Houston-Medellin, Colombia. United will also increase flying to popular destinations across the globe including Hong Kong; Seoul, South Korea and Porto, Portugal. Additionally, the airline will add four weekly flights between Los Angelesand Shanghai as the Chinese and U.S. governments recently agreed to increase flights between the two countries*.
United now has the largest and most diversified international route network among U.S. airlines, offering non-stop service to 134 international destinations across 67 countries. United offers flights to more destinations across the Atlantic and Pacific than all U.S. carriers combined.
In addition to flying to the most popular international destinations, United has been a trailblazer in introducing its customers to off-the-beaten-path locales around the globe – including flights to nine destinations that no other carriers serve from the mainland U.S., like Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Christchurch, New Zealand; Dubrovnik, Croatia and more.
"We have consistently been ahead of the curve in finding hidden gem destinations for our customers to explore and remain committed to providing the most unique slate of travel options for their adventures abroad," said Patrick Quayle, United's Senior Vice President of Global Network Planning and Alliances, "With our leading global network and elevated inflight experience, United has become the airline of choice for discerning customers looking for experiences they can't have with any other carrier."
Tickets for United's new Shanghai and Cebu flights are on sale now on the United app and on United.com; Marrakesh and Medellin will be available later this year.
New York/Newark-Marrakesh, Morocco
Next winter, United will have the most flights to the most destinations in Africa from metro New York – and will be the only airline to directly connect the U.S. and Marrakesh – with new service from New York/Newark, launching October 24. The flight will be offered three times weekly on a Boeing 767-300ER aircraft, equipped with 46 United Polaris® business class and 22 United Premium Plus® seats to provide options for an elevated travel experience.
This new service further expands United's presence in Africa, building on the airline's existing service to Accra, Ghana; Lagos, Nigeria; and Cape Town and Johannesburg, South Africa.
Tokyo/Narita-Cebu, Philippines
United expands its presence in the Philippines with new year-round, non-stop service from Tokyo-Narita, starting July 31. United will be the only U.S. carrier to fly to Cebu with daily flights on 737-800 aircraft, which will have convenient connections from United's flights from San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver, Newark-New York, and Houston to Tokyo-Narita. United is the only U.S. carrier to offer transpacific service to the Philippines with its daily flights between San Francisco and Manila, and also flies to Manila from Guam and Palau.
Houston-Medellin, Colombia
For the first time ever, United will fly non-stop to Medellin, Colombia with daily service from Houston on Boeing 737 aircraft, beginning October 27. This new route expands United's presence in Colombia, complementing existing service from Houston and Newark to Bogota. In total, United will serve 52 destinations in Latin America from Houston.
United's 2024 International Schedule
In addition to this new service, United will also expand flying to more destinations across the globe this year. The airline is continuing to rebuild its mainland China schedule, with four weekly flights between Shanghai-Los Angeles on a Boeing 787-9, starting August 29. Further, in late October, Shanghai-Los Angeles will increase to daily service. This service complements United's daily service between San Francisco-Shanghai and San Francisco-Beijing. This enhanced service is enabled by the agreement between the governments of the U.S. and China to increase flights between the two countries.
United is also adding more flights to Hong Kong and Seoul, South Korea. United will launch its second daily Los Angeles-Hong Kong flight on a Boeing 787-9 aircraft on October 26, complementing its two existing daily flights to Hong Kong from San Francisco. The airline will also offer year-round, twice daily flights between San Francisco-Seoul, starting October 25. Additionally, United recently expanded its Tokyo service with a new route between Haneda and Guam, launching in May.
Across the Atlantic, United will add a second daily flight between New York/Newark-Porto, Portugal on a Boeing 757-200, starting May 23. United has more flights to Portugal than all U.S. carriers combined and is the only U.S. carrier to serve Porto.
*Flights subject to government approvals