As United Airlines reports a 15% increase in bookings for international flights in March 2023 compared to the previous year, the carrier is confidently gearing up for a busy northern hemisphere summer season. With plans to serve 114 airports outside the U.S. and provide 25% more international capacity than the 2022 summer season, United Airlines is ready to meet the “unprecedented demand for travel overseas.”
New Routes and Codeshare Partnerships Take Flight
To kick off its summer schedule, United Airlines recently launched daily Boeing 777-200ER service between its Newark (EWR) hub and Dubai (DXB), marking the beginning of a new codeshare agreement with Emirates. United MD of International Network Planning Matt Stevens highlighted that the partnership with Emirates is “very targeted” and aims to capitalize on areas where United wasn’t effectively competing.
This new collaboration allows United passengers to connect via Dubai to more than 70 destinations within Emirates’ and flydubai’s networks. United also added a second daily flight between Los Angeles (LAX) and London Heathrow (LHR) on March 25, utilizing a 787-9 aircraft. In total, the carrier will operate 23 daily flights between the U.S. and Heathrow during the summer season.
Expanding Transatlantic and Transpacific Connections
From June 2, United will introduce a second daily flight between Washington Dulles (IAD) and Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG) with a 777-200ER. The airline already serves CDG from Newark, Chicago O’Hare (ORD), and San Francisco (SFO). United also plans to serve 27 destinations via transpacific flights this summer. According to the airline’s statement, “Excluding mainland China and Hong Kong, United’s capacity across the Pacific will exceed 2019 levels by more than 15% this summer.”
United has resumed service between Denver (DEN) and Tokyo Narita (NRT), as well as between San Francisco (SFO) and Hong Kong (HKG). The airline has also started serving Tokyo Haneda (HND) from both Dulles and LAX. In addition, passengers will have access to 20 Australian destinations during the northern hemisphere summer schedule, thanks to a new codeshare agreement with Virgin Australia, which extends beyond the cities United serves, including Brisbane (BNE), Melbourne (MEL), and Sydney (SYD).
United Airlines is strategically expanding its international schedule to cater to the soaring demand for overseas travel. With an array of new routes, codeshare partnerships, and increased flight frequencies, the airline is poised to offer passengers unparalleled connectivity and convenience during the northern hemisphere summer season. As the travel industry continues to rebound, United Airlines’ ambitious plans demonstrate its commitment to meeting the evolving needs of its customers and adapting to the ever-changing global landscape.
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