United Airlines announces a number of new routes.
United Airlines is expanding its international network this year with a large slate of new routes from multiple U.S. hubs to destinations worldwide. These additions increase travel options for customers and strengthen United’s global footprint.
At the end of 2018, United unveiled its largest-ever expansion from San Francisco International Airport (SFO), adding a variety of new and enhanced routes. Since 2013 the carrier has introduced 12 new international destinations from its SFO hub; with the latest schedules, United now serves 29 international destinations from the Bay Area across Europe, India, the Middle East, North America, Asia and Oceania.
San Francisco is a strategic gateway for United, which operates more than 300 daily flights and is the airport’s largest airline. United’s relationship with SFO spans nine decades, employing roughly 14,000 people in the region and continuing to invest in airport facilities, including the 28,000-square-foot Polaris lounge that opened this year.
Nonstop, daily, year-round service between San Francisco and Amsterdam (AMS) began March 30 aboard a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, making United the first U.S. carrier to operate nonstop flights between California and Amsterdam. United also offers the most West Coast–Australia service among U.S. carriers and will further increase that presence when nonstop flights between San Francisco and Melbourne (MEL) launch three times weekly starting Oct. 29.
San Francisco will also offer enhanced connectivity to India: when seasonal service to New Delhi (DEL) begins Dec. 5 on the Dreamliner, travelers will be able to connect to more than 80 cities in India. United added a second Seoul flight earlier in the year—operating four times weekly since April 1—providing Bay Area customers with more scheduling options.
In fall 2018 United launched the only nonstop service by a U.S. carrier between the mainland United States and Tahiti (PPT), and on March 30 that seasonal route was extended to year-round service. In March the airline also made its Auckland (AKL) flights year-round, and began twice-daily nonstop, year-round service from SFO to Toronto (YYZ) using Boeing 737-800 aircraft.
United has also announced tickets are available for the first-ever nonstop service by a U.S. carrier between Newark (EWR) and Cape Town (CPT). The new route is planned to operate three times weekly beginning Dec. 15, pending government approvals, and will reduce current travel times by more than four hours.
The Cape Town announcement is part of a broader international push: it represents United’s 22nd new international route announced in the past two years. Recent additions include nonstop service from the U.S. to Prague (PRG), Tahiti, Naples (NAP), Porto (OPO) and Reykjavik (KEF).
More recently, the U.S. Department of Transportation provisionally granted United four daily nonstop flights to Tokyo Haneda Airport, earmarked for service from United’s hubs at Newark (EWR), Chicago O’Hare (ORD), Washington Dulles (IAD) and Los Angeles (LAX). Those frequencies are expected to enter service in summer 2020, pending a final agreement between the U.S. and Japanese governments.
United MileagePlus members can take advantage of these expanded route options. MileagePlus allows members to book Everyday Awards on flights operated by United and United Express; when award seats are available, eligible members have access to book Everyday Awards. For details and booking, visit united.com.