CHICAGO - United Airlines announced today a significant expansion of its international flight schedule for summer 2025, adding eight new destinations and operating the largest trans-Atlantic schedule in its history. The new routes include nonstop services to cities such as Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia; Kaohsiung, Taiwan; and Dakar, Senegal, which are not currently served by any other major U.S. airline.
Starting May 2025, United will launch five unique nonstop flights from its Newark/New York hub to destinations including Nuuk, Greenland; Palermo, Italy; Bilbao, Spain; Madeira Island, Portugal; and Faro, Portugal. Additionally, three new nonstop routes will be introduced from Washington D.C./Dulles, including year-round service to Dakar and seasonal flights to Nice, France, and Venice, Italy.
The airline will also add new direct flights from Tokyo-Narita to Ulaanbaatar and Kaohsiung, as well as a nonstop flight to Koror, Palau. These flights will connect seamlessly to United's transpacific services from five hub locations in the continental United States.
United's summer 2025 schedule will feature over 760 weekly flights across the Atlantic to more than 40 destinations. The airline will also increase the frequency of direct flights between Newark/New York and several European cities, including Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Dubrovnik, Croatia; and Athens, Greece.
Patrick Quayle, United's Senior Vice President of Global Network Planning and Alliances, emphasized the airline's commitment to providing the most choice and variety for customers seeking international travel experiences.
The expansion aligns with the latest chapter of United's "Good Leads The Way" brand advertising campaign, which underscores the airline's position as the world's largest airline by available seat miles.
This announcement comes as the airline continues to build on its global network, offering 800 daily flights to 147 international destinations next summer, including 40 nonstop routes not served by any other major U.S. carrier.
All new flights are subject to government approval and will be available for sale on United's website and app. The airline's growth in global service is a response to increased travel demand and aims to provide more access to diverse destinations worldwide.
This news is based on a press release statement from United Airlines.
In other recent news, United Airlines has seen a series of significant developments. The airline's earnings and revenue reports are expected to benefit from positive momentum, as per TD Cowen's recent analysis. The firm maintained its Buy rating on the company and anticipates that United Airlines' third-quarter results will potentially exceed expectations.
In addition, Citi has also maintained a Buy rating on United Airlines shares, adjusting its earnings per share (EPS) estimate for the third quarter of 2024 from $2.98 to $3.09. The full-year EPS estimates for 2024, 2025, and 2026 have also been revised.
In a recent leadership change, United Airlines announced the retirement of Linda Jojo, the Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer, effective January 2, 2025. In terms of partnerships, United Airlines revealed an agreement with SpaceX to offer free Starlink Wi-Fi on its flights, aiming to enhance passenger experience.
In other company news, amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East, several international airlines, including United Airlines, have made significant adjustments to their flight schedules, affecting services to and within the region. These changes impact routes to Lebanon, Israel, Iran, and Iraq, with many airlines opting to suspend or cancel flights while monitoring the situation closely.
These are the recent developments, providing investors with insights into the current state of United Airlines.
InvestingPro Insights
United Airlines' ambitious expansion of its international flight schedule for summer 2025 is reflected in its recent financial performance and market position. According to InvestingPro data, United's revenue for the last twelve months as of Q2 2024 stood at $55.63 billion, with a revenue growth of 9.34% over the same period. This growth aligns with the airline's strategy to capture a larger share of the international travel market.
The company's profitability is also noteworthy, with a gross profit of $18.57 billion and an operating income margin of 9.01% for the last twelve months. These figures suggest that United Airlines has the financial capacity to support its expansion plans.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that United Airlines is a prominent player in the Passenger Airlines industry, which is consistent with its position as the world's largest airline by available seat miles. The company's strong returns over the last three months (26.04%) and six months (40.26%) indicate investor confidence in its growth strategy.
However, it's important to note that United Airlines operates with a significant debt burden, according to another InvestingPro Tip. This factor should be considered alongside the company's expansion plans, as it may impact future financial flexibility.
For investors interested in a deeper analysis, InvestingPro offers 13 additional tips for United Airlines, providing a more comprehensive view of the company's financial health and market position.
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