United Airlines announces 10 new international routes for 2027

United Airlines said on Tuesday it will add 10 international routes starting in 2027, extending its flight network to new destinations in Europe and Asia. The carrier described the expansion as the largest in its history.

CEO Scott Kirby told "CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle King that the growth reflects a broader trend: "We've been adding a lot of new cities each year in the past several years. It's more this year, partly because the aircraft manufacturers have caught up."

The new flights build on United's existing network, which consists of 160 international destinations, according to the airline.

The new routes

United will begin flying from San Francisco (SFO) to Okinawa, Japan, starting March 27 on a Boeing 777-200ER, three times weekly. From Washington Dulles (IAD), the airline will launch daily service to Toulouse, France, on the Airbus A321XLR beginning April 26.

The remaining eight routes will depart from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR):

  • Luxembourg City, Luxembourg – begins April 2, daily on the A321XLR
  • Ljubljana, Slovenia – begins May 12, four times weekly on the Boeing 767-400ER
  • Olbia (Sardinia), Italy – begins May 27, three times weekly on the Boeing 767-300ER
  • Catania (Sicily), Italy – begins May 28, four times weekly on the Boeing 767-300ER
  • Ibiza, Spain – begins May 31, four times weekly on the A321XLR
  • Valencia, Spain – begins June 2, three times weekly on the A321XLR
  • Marseille, France – begins June 4, daily on the A321XLR
  • Terceira, Portugal – begins June 9, three times weekly on the Boeing 737 Max 8

Of the 10 new international routes, eight will depart from Newark, as reported by CBS News and Fox Business.

Why Newark? Kirby credits FAA slot changes

Kirby attributed the Newark concentration to improved operations at the airport. "The FAA has, after years, finally done what we asked and slotted, and now Newark is the most reliable of the three New York airports," he said. "Now that you have Newark running the best it's ever run, that enables us to add eight new destinations out of Newark across the Atlantic."

Kirby has repeatedly called for changes at Newark to address flight congestion, including adding "slots," industry lingo for authorization windows that the Federal Aviation Administration gives airlines to take off or land. Slots ensure that scheduled flights per hour don't exceed airport capacity, Kirby said in a letter to employees last year.

Additional routes and aircraft plans

Beyond the 10 new cities, United is adding flights to existing destinations: Los Angeles to Osaka, Japan (March 27); Washington, D.C. to Milan, Italy (May 28); and Denver to Paris (May 27). The airline will also resume service from San Francisco to Tel Aviv on March 28.

United expects enough Airbus A321XLR deliveries to support its European expansion next summer. The airline ordered the A321XLR in 2019 and plans to begin international service with the aircraft on Dec. 1, 2026, from Washington Dulles to Amsterdam and Dublin, according to Fox Business. Patrick Quayle, United's senior vice president of global network planning and alliances, said: "We feel confident that we will have the number of aircraft needed in order to operate the schedule." Quayle also said United is phasing out its Boeing 757s as the A321XLR jets enter service.

Airfare context

Kirby also addressed flight costs, which remain elevated amid strong traveler demand. Inflation data released last month shows airfares were up more than 25% in July from a year ago. However, Kirby said on CBS Mornings that "air travel still remains a great value," noting that average airfares are 13% lower than they were before the pandemic.

United currently flies to more international destinations than any other U.S. carrier, according to Fox Business. Kirby framed the expansion as strategic: "The creative and strategic way we've expanded our international network since the pandemic has made all the difference, not only for our customers and employees, but also as a way to differentiate United and build a brand focused on customers."