United Airlines is vaulting into 2026 with one of its most ambitious international expansions yet, unveiling new nonstop routes from its Newark and Washington Dulles hubs to a mix of emerging leisure hotspots and strategic global gateways. With new flights to Bari and Split on the Adriatic, added capacity to Tel Aviv, a long-awaited nonstop to Seoul, and expanded connectivity from Washington to Europe and beyond, the carrier is tightening its grip on the transatlantic and transpacific markets while offering travelers fresh ways to cross the globe.
A Bold 2026 Vision from Newark and Washington
United’s latest schedule reveals a clear strategy: build on the airline’s dominant position across the Atlantic and grow its reach into key Asian and Middle Eastern markets, all anchored by its coastal hubs at Newark Liberty International Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport. After a record-breaking 2025 season that saw a wave of new routes launched and strong demand to Europe, United is doubling down for summer and fall 2026 with new destinations and increased frequencies that few competitors can match.
From Newark, United will debut nonstop flights to Split in Croatia and Bari in Italy, extend its transatlantic reach deeper into Spain and Scotland, and launch a year-round connection to Seoul, one of Asia’s most important aviation hubs. At the same time, the airline is increasing service to Tel Aviv, building capacity on one of its highest-profile international routes. From Washington Dulles, an expanded summer schedule includes new daily service to Reykjavik that complements the airline’s growing European portfolio from the US capital.
This combination of new cities, boosted frequencies, and broader seasonal schedules underscores United’s ambition to be the primary US gateway airline for both Europe and Asia. For travelers, it translates into more nonstop options, better connectivity, and the ability to craft multi-stop itineraries that tie together multiple continents on a single carrier.
New Mediterranean Gateways: Bari and Split Take Center Stage
Two of the most eye-catching additions in United’s 2026 plan are Bari, Italy, and Split, Croatia, both served nonstop from Newark. These ports on the Adriatic coast have long been favorites for European travelers but lacked direct links from the United States. That will change in spring 2026 when United begins several weekly flights to each city, using widebody Boeing 767-300ER aircraft equipped with Polaris business class lie-flat seats, premium economy, and standard economy cabins.
Bari opens a new chapter for US travelers heading to Puglia, one of Italy’s most talked-about regions. The city serves as the primary air and ferry hub for a coastline dotted with whitewashed hill towns, olive groves, and beaches along the Adriatic. With United’s new nonstop, travelers will be able to wake up in New York or New Jersey and arrive the following day just a short drive from Alberobello’s famous trulli houses, the cliffside town of Polignano a Mare, and the baroque streets of Lecce.
Split adds a second Croatian gateway to United’s network, complementing the airline’s seasonal Dubrovnik flights and cementing its role as the main US carrier into the Adriatic. As the historic heart of Dalmatia, Split combines Roman heritage with a buzzing waterfront and easy ferry access to islands like Hvar, Brač, and Vis. The new nonstop route will be especially appealing to cruise passengers embarking or disembarking in the region, as well as independent travelers looking to string together an island-hopping itinerary with minimal transfers.
For both Bari and Split, the use of widebody aircraft signals that United sees sustained premium and leisure demand along these routes. Travelers can expect a full international product on board, including long-haul amenities and cabin options that until now often required a connection through European hubs such as Frankfurt, Munich, Rome, or London.
Scotland and Spain: Secondary Cities Move into the Spotlight
United’s 2026 expansion also leans heavily into secondary European cities that have been steadily growing in popularity but remain underserved from North America. From Newark, the airline will launch new nonstop service to Glasgow in Scotland and Santiago de Compostela in Spain, reinforcing a strategy that focuses on unique destinations where it can be the sole US operator.
Glasgow, Scotland’s largest city, will receive daily summer flights on Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, complementing United’s existing year-round service to Edinburgh. Glasgow offers a different flavor of Scottish culture, with a thriving arts and live music scene, Victorian architecture, and easy rail access to the Highlands and the rugged west coast. United’s presence will make it significantly easier for US travelers to pair Glasgow with other Scottish destinations, whether as a stand-alone city break or as the first stop on a countryside road trip.
Santiago de Compostela, the spiritual terminus of the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage, is another standout addition. United’s new route will provide the first regular transatlantic service to this historic city in northwest Spain, offering pilgrims and cultural travelers alike a direct path from the United States. Operating several times a week from Newark, the service is designed to tap into both religious tourism and broader interest in Galicia’s coastal landscapes, seafood, and lesser-known wine regions.
These European additions build on United’s already expansive Spanish and Scottish network, which includes major hubs like Madrid and Barcelona as well as secondary destinations such as Málaga, Palma de Mallorca, and Bilbao. Together, they position the airline as a clear leader for US travelers who want to move beyond capital cities and into more niche corners of the continent.
Seoul and Tel Aviv: Strategic Long-Haul Powerhouses
United’s 2026 schedule is not only about summer sun on the Adriatic or in Galicia. Two of the most significant developments are on the long-haul front: a new year-round route between Newark and Seoul Incheon, and increased service between Newark and Tel Aviv. These additions strengthen United’s presence in both Northeast Asia and the Eastern Mediterranean, two regions that are vital to business, tech, and diaspora travel.
The nonstop Newark to Seoul route, set to launch in early September 2026, will be operated by Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft. This gives United a second US gateway to South Korea alongside its existing flights from San Francisco. From a network perspective, Newark offers strong connections for passengers from across the US East Coast and Midwest, linking them with Seoul’s status as a global technology and cultural powerhouse and a key hub for onward connections across Asia with partner airlines.
For Tel Aviv, United is leaning into robust demand by increasing its Newark service from an already high twice-daily schedule to even more weekly frequencies. The airline is betting that business ties, tech sector collaboration, and strong visiting-friends-and-relatives traffic will sustain this additional capacity. Added frequencies also give travelers more flexibility in choosing departure times and better options for same-day connections from across the United States.
Taken together, Seoul and Tel Aviv represent a reinforcement of United’s global long-haul strategy: connect major economic and cultural centers directly to its largest East Coast hub, minimizing connection times and offering a competitive premium product for both business and leisure passengers.
Washington Dulles Steps Up: Reykjavik and Beyond
While Newark grabs many of the headlines, Washington Dulles is quietly emerging as a key pillar in United’s international ambitions. For summer 2026, United will introduce a new daily seasonal flight from Washington Dulles to Reykjavik, Iceland, complementing existing service from Newark and Chicago. Operated by narrowbody aircraft optimized for mid-length transatlantic missions, the Washington to Reykjavik route places the US capital firmly on the map for travelers eyeing Icelandic adventures.
This move follows a multi-year pattern of investment in Washington Dulles, where United has added destinations like Venice, Nice, and Dakar and expanded frequencies on core European routes. Reykjavik offers Washington-area travelers an appealing mix of short-haul international flying and access to Iceland’s volcanoes, waterfalls, and hot springs, along with potential onward connections to the Nordic region.
The growing Washington Dulles hub also plays a strategic role for government, defense, and international organization travelers, many of whom require reliable nonstop service from the capital region. By layering in new European and African routes from Dulles over the past two years, and now adding Iceland, United is shaping the airport into a powerful transatlantic springboard that complements its more established Newark base.
For TheTraveler.org audience based in or near Washington, the 2026 schedule means more options and fewer connections when planning trips to Europe, Africa, and the North Atlantic. The new Reykjavik flight, in particular, offers an easy way to combine the US capital with Icelandic stopovers or two-center European itineraries.
Fleet, Cabins, and the Onboard Experience
Underpinning United’s 2026 expansion is a carefully calibrated fleet plan that matches aircraft to route profiles and passenger demand. Longer flights from Newark to Split, Bari, and Seoul will be served by widebody jets such as the Boeing 767-300ER and 787-9, both outfitted with Polaris business class cabins, premium economy seating, and refreshed interiors in economy. These aircraft are designed to appeal to both leisure travelers seeking comfort on overnight crossings and corporate clients who require lie-flat seating, power, and connectivity.
Shorter transatlantic hops to Glasgow and Santiago de Compostela will be flown on narrowbody Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft. While these jets do not offer lie-flat seating, they feature modern interiors, larger overhead bins, seatback or personal-device entertainment options depending on configuration, and United’s latest cabin styling. For routes of around seven hours or less, these aircraft strike a balance between efficiency and passenger comfort.
Onboard, travelers can expect a consistent product evolution as United continues to roll out its newest cabins across the fleet. Polaris business class remains a key selling point on longer sectors such as Newark to Seoul and the Adriatic routes, offering direct aisle access, upgraded bedding, and enhanced dining. Premium economy and extra-legroom economy tiers provide intermediate options for those seeking a bit more space without the full premium cabin price tag.
For frequent flyers, the expanded network also means more opportunities to earn and redeem loyalty currency on long-haul flights, as well as more choice when routing award tickets through Newark or Washington Dulles to Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
What the Expansion Means for Travelers
For travelers planning 2026 and beyond, United’s network growth brings both practical and experiential benefits. The practical side is straightforward: more nonstop routes, fewer connections, and often shorter overall journey times. Instead of routing through European hubs to reach Bari, Split, or Santiago de Compostela, passengers on the US East Coast will be able to board in Newark and arrive directly at their destination, saving hours and reducing the risk of misconnected bags or tight transfers.
Experientially, this expansion encourages more adventurous itineraries. Travelers who might have hesitated to navigate multiple transfers to reach Puglia, Dalmatia, or Galicia may now see these regions as realistic first-time European destinations. The ability to combine, for example, a week in Scotland with a few days in Iceland or to pair Tel Aviv with a stopover in New York or Washington becomes easier when all legs are operated by the same airline.
Business travelers will notice improved flexibility and resilience, particularly on high-demand routes like Newark to Tel Aviv and Newark to Seoul, where more frequencies and nonstop options reduce the impact of delays or schedule disruptions. Corporate travel planners gain additional levers when negotiating contracts, while small and medium-sized enterprises benefit from a wider menu of premium and economy products across a broader global footprint.
For TheTraveler.org readers, the message is clear: 2026 will be a year of new possibilities with United, whether you are chasing the late light over the Adriatic, walking the final steps of the Camino, exploring Seoul’s neighborhoods, or tapping into the dynamic energy of Tel Aviv. Planning ahead to secure introductory fares and prime summer dates will be key, as demand for these new routes is expected to be strong from the outset.
Looking Ahead: United’s Global Trajectory
United Airlines’ 2026 expansion from Newark and Washington Dulles marks more than a single season of growth. It is part of a multi-year trajectory in which the carrier is positioning itself as the de facto US flag carrier for long-haul travel, leaning into both depth and breadth across Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. The decision to retain all of its 2025 experimental routes while layering in additional cities signals confidence in the underlying demand and in the airline’s ability to stimulate new markets.
For travelers, this trajectory suggests that 2026 may only be the beginning. As United takes delivery of new aircraft and continues to refine its hub strategies, further routes and increased seasonal patterns are likely to follow. Secondary European cities, emerging leisure markets, and high-value business corridors will remain prime candidates as the airline looks to leverage its scale and partnerships.
At the same time, increased competition from both US and foreign carriers will keep pressure on pricing and product quality. Travelers stand to gain from this competitive landscape, with better fares, more nonstop options, and rising standards in cabins and onboard service. In this context, United’s 2026 moves are both an offensive play for market share and a defensive step to protect its leading position.
As bookings open and detailed schedules are finalized, TheTraveler.org will continue to track fare trends, aircraft assignments, and seasonal variations on these new routes. For now, what is clear is that United’s 2026 expansion from Newark and Washington Dulles unlocks a new set of tools for travelers designing complex, experience-rich journeys that stretch from the Adriatic to the Korean Peninsula and from the Camino to the Middle East, all on a single integrated network.