United Airlines Announces Major 2026 Expansion to Europe, Asia, and the Middle East

United Airlines unveiled a significant expansion of its international network today, adding new routes to Glasgow, Reykjavik, Seoul, Split, Bari, Santiago de Compostela, and Tel Aviv for the summer of 2026, bolstering its position as a leading transatlantic carrier.

The airline will launch direct flights from Newark to Split, Croatia; Bari, Italy; Glasgow, Scotland; and Santiago de Compostela, Spain, beginning April 30, May 1, May 8, and May 27, respectively. Daily service between Washington-Dulles and Reykjavik, Iceland, will commence on May 21, and year-round daily flights between Newark and Seoul, South Korea, are scheduled to begin September 4. The Newark–Tel Aviv route will also see a frequency increase to 18 weekly flights. This expansion caters to a growing demand for travel beyond major European capitals, offering access to culturally rich and emerging destinations.

These additions build upon United’s record-breaking 2025 expansion, which included nine new international destinations, and will result in nearly 3,000 weekly international roundtrip flights next summer. The airline’s growing network is a response to evolving traveler preferences for authentic experiences and regional exploration, as highlighted in recent reports from the United Nations World Tourism Organization. United will be the only U.S. carrier offering direct service to both Glasgow and Croatia with the addition of Split, further solidifying its competitive advantage. For more information on United’s route network, see their official website.

Officials stated the new routes are a direct result of strong passenger demand and the airline’s commitment to providing greater global connectivity, and anticipate continued growth in these markets.