United just dropped its biggest route expansion ever, and if you are planning summer travel, you need to see this now. The airline is launching 14 new nonstop routes from its Newark/New York hub (EWR), including 8 destinations that no other U.S. airline flies to. I have combed through the schedules, checked the aircraft types, and pulled the real booking details so you know exactly where to go and what to pay.
The headline here is Europe—specifically the Adriatic coast and the Scottish Highlands. United is betting big on secondary cities that were previously a pain to reach. You used to need a connection through Frankfurt or Munich; now, you can grab a direct flight from the New York area. This is relevant right now because the booking window for Summer 2026 is already open, and the best fares on these new routes are disappearing fast.
Photo by The Full List: 14 Routes from Newark (EWR)
Here is the complete breakdown of the 14 new nonstop routes. Note that the “new” designation means these are routes United did not serve at all from Newark in the previous year. Some are returning seasonal services, but the majority are brand-new city pairs.
| Destination | Country | Launch Date (2026) | Frequency | Aircraft (Typical) | U.S. Competitor? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Split (SPU) | Croatia | May 2026 | 3x weekly | Boeing 757-200 | No |
| Bari (BRI) | Italy | May 2026 | 3x weekly | Boeing 757-200 | No |
| Ibiza (IBZ) | Spain | June 2026 | 3x weekly | Boeing 757-200 | No |
| Santiago de Compostela (SCQ) | Spain | June 2026 | 2x weekly | Boeing 757-200 | No |
| Glasgow (GLA) | Scotland | May 2026 | Daily | Boeing 757-200 | No |
| Reykjavik (KEF) | Iceland | May 2026 | Daily | Boeing 757-200 | Yes (Icelandair) |
| Palermo (PMO) | Italy | June 2026 | 2x weekly | Boeing 757-200 | No |
| Tromsø (TOS) | Norway | June 2026 | 2x weekly | Boeing 757-200 | No |
| Cairo (CAI) | Egypt | June 2026 | 5x weekly | Boeing 787-9 | No |
| Marrakech (RAK) | Morocco | June 2026 | 3x weekly | Boeing 757-200 | No |
| Porto (OPO) | Portugal | May 2026 | 4x weekly | Boeing 757-200 | No |
| Marseille (MRS) | France | May 2026 | 4x weekly | Boeing 757-200 | No |
| Belfast (BFS) | Northern Ireland | June 2026 | 3x weekly | Boeing 757-200 | No |
| San José (SJO) | Costa Rica | Winter 2026/27 | Daily | Boeing 737-800 | Yes (JetBlue) |
The Quick Take: The big news is the “Adriatic Expansion.” Split and Bari are the crown jewels—these are summer hotspots that have been underserved for years. Glasgow is the workhorse here, going daily, which suggests strong demand for Scottish tourism.
Why Newark? Why Now?
United is using its largest hub as a launching pad, and the strategy is clever. Newark has the geographic position and the border pre-clearance facilities to make transatlantic flying efficient. But more importantly, United is targeting the “leisure gap.”
The airline knows that flights to Paris, London, and Rome are saturated. Fares are low, but so are margins. By flying to secondary cities, United creates a monopoly. You cannot price-compare on a route like Newark-to-Ibiza because no one else flies it. This means United can charge a premium while still offering you a better product than a connection.
I have flown the 757 across the Atlantic many times. It is not a widebody, but United retrofitted these specific aircraft with the new Polaris business class seats. If you are in economy, expect a standard 3-3 layout, but the flight time to Split is only 8 hours and 20 minutes—short enough to survive without a lie-flat bed.
Destination Deep Dive: Where Should You Actually Go?
Not all 14 routes are created equal. Here is my honest breakdown of the best bets, the risky ones, and who should book each.
1. Split, Croatia (SPU) — The Best Overall
- Pros: This is the gateway to the Dalmatian Coast. You can hop to Hvar, Brač, or Korčula within an hour. Split itself has the Diocletian’s Palace, which is a UNESCO site right on the water. The flight is timed to arrive in the late morning, giving you a full day upon arrival.
- Cons: The 757 is narrow. If you are tall, the economy legroom (31 inches) will feel tight for 8 hours. Also, Split is packed in July and August. You need to book accommodations now.
- Best For: Travelers who want a mix of history and island hopping without the chaos of Dubrovnik.
- Price Signal: Introductory fares are running around $680 round-trip for late September. Peak July fares are closer to $1,100.
2. Glasgow, Scotland (GLA) — The Smart Value Play
- Pros: Daily service means flexibility. Glasgow is cheaper than Edinburgh for hotels, and it is a 45-minute train ride to the Scottish Highlands. You can use this as your entry point and fly home from London if you plan an open-jaw ticket.
- Cons: It is not a beach destination. If you want sun, this is the wrong choice. The weather is notoriously fickle.
- Best For: Whisky trail enthusiasts, hikers, and anyone visiting family in the UK.
- Price Signal: I have seen fares drop to $480 round-trip in the shoulder season (May). This is the cheapest transatlantic route on the list.
3. Marrakech, Morocco (RAK) — The Wild Card
- Pros: This is the only nonstop from the U.S. East Coast to Marrakech. The souks, the Atlas Mountains, the riads—it is a totally different world. The flight is 7 hours, which is manageable.
- Cons: The return flight timing is rough. You will likely depart Marrakech in the early evening, arriving back in Newark just in time for the morning rush. Also, Morocco is not a “relaxing” vacation; it is high-energy.
- Best For: Adventurous foodies and photographers.
- Price Signal: Expect to pay $750–$900 for standard economy. The novelty of the nonstop keeps prices high.
4. Tromsø, Norway (TOS) — The Bucket Lister
- Pros: Northern Lights viewing without a connecting flight through Oslo. You can see the aurora from September to March, and this flight opens up the winter market.
- Cons: It is expensive on the ground. A beer costs $12. Hotels are basic and pricey. Also, if you go in summer, you will miss the lights and just get the midnight sun.
- Best For: Aurora chasers who have already done Iceland and want something more remote.
- Price Signal: Winter fares start at $600, but the real cost is your hotel and excursions.
5. Cairo, Egypt (CAI) — The Long Haul
- Pros: This is a massive upgrade from the previous one-stop options. The 787-9 Dreamliner is significantly more comfortable than the 757. You arrive less fatigued.
- Cons: It is an 11-hour flight. The political situation is stable, but you need a visa (available on arrival for many nationalities). Security is heavy.
- Best For: History buffs and families doing a Nile cruise.
- Price Signal: This route is priced like a premium product. Expect $1,200+ for economy in peak season.
Photo by Dennis Gecaj on Unsplash
The “Meh” Routes: Skip These Unless You Have a Reason
Let me be blunt. Some of these routes exist to fill a gap, not because they are amazing destinations.
- Marseille (MRS): It is a lovely city, but Nice is 2 hours away by train and has better flight options. If you are going to the French Riviera, this works, but you are settling.
- Porto (OPO): I love Porto, but the flight is short and the city is best as a weekend trip. If you have 10 days, you are better off flying into Lisbon and taking the train up.
- Bari (BRI): This is the gateway to Puglia. The trulli houses in Alberobello are incredible. But if you only have a week, the jet lag to flight time ratio is poor. You need 10+ days to make this worth it.
- Ibiza (IBZ): Unless you are going for the clubs, skip it. The island is overrun in summer, and the flight times are not optimized for party-goers (you arrive in the evening, missing the day).
Booking Tips: How to Get the Best Deal
I have been tracking these routes since the announcement. Here is how you beat the system.
1. Book the “Positioning” Fare The cheapest tickets are often on the days immediately before or after the official launch. For example, the Split route launches in May. If you book the first week of June, you avoid the inaugural rush and often get a better price. Airlines run introductory pricing for the first 30 days to fill the planes and generate buzz.
2. Use the Excursionist Perk United allows a free stopover on award tickets. If you are booking with miles, you can fly Newark to Split, then take a free connecting flight (paid via miles) to Rome, and fly home from Rome. This is a loophole that turns one trip into two cities for the same mileage cost. Search your award ticket as “Multi-City” and add the stopover.
3. Look at the “Basic Economy” Trap On these long 757 flights, Basic Economy (N class) is a terrible deal. You cannot bring a full-size carry-on (only a personal item), and you are assigned a seat at check-in. The savings are usually only $40–$60 each way. Pay the extra $100 for standard economy (K class) so you can bring a bag and pick your seat.
4. Set a Fare Alert on the Specific Route Do not use a generic “Europe” alert. Use Google Flights and track the specific city pair, like “EWR to SPU.” Prices on new routes fluctuate wildly in the first 90 days. I have seen Split drop from $1,100 to $680 in a single weekend in March.
5. Consider the “Mileage Upgrade” for Polaris If you want to fly business class on the 757, the cash price is often $3,500+. Instead, book a standard economy ticket and set an upgrade request using miles. The waitlist on these new routes is shorter than on London or Paris. I have seen successful upgrades for as little as 15,000 miles plus a $350 co-pay.
6. Watch the Return Flight Timing The schedule for these routes is tight. Most return flights depart Europe in the early afternoon (around 1:00 PM). That means you need to be at the airport by 10:00 AM. If you are staying in a remote area like the Highlands of Scotland, you will need to travel the night before or very early in the morning. Factor in a pre-flight hotel night if you are staying far from the airport.
The Business Class Question: Is It Worth It?
On the 757, the Polaris cabin is a 2-2 layout with direct aisle access. It is a solid product, but it is not the “suite” you get on the 787 or 777. There is no door, and the storage is limited.
For the 8-hour flights to Split or Cairo, I would say yes, it is worth it if you have the points. For the 7-hour flight to Marrakech, it is harder to justify the premium. You are essentially paying double for a lie-flat seat on a daylight flight (the outbound typically departs at 8:00 PM, so you will sleep).
Check the specific aircraft. United has a few 757s with the older “flatbed” seat (not the Polaris). Look for the seat map—if it shows a 2-2 configuration in business, you are on the older plane. If it shows a 1-1 configuration, you have the newer Polaris. The difference is significant.
FAQ: Your Questions Answered
Q: Are these routes permanent or seasonal? Most of these are seasonal. Split, Bari, Ibiza, and Palermo are summer-only (May through September). Glasgow and Reykjavik appear to be year-round. Cairo is scheduled as year-round. If you want to fly to Split in March, you are out of luck—you will need to connect through Frankfurt.
Q: Can I use miles to book these flights? Yes, you can use United MileagePlus miles. Saver-level awards on these new routes are surprisingly available right now. I found business class award space on the Newark to Split route for 80,000 miles each way in late September. That is a steal compared to the $3,500 cash price.
Q: Is the 757 safe for such long flights? Yes, the 757 is a workhorse, but it is not the most comfortable. The cabin is narrow (single aisle), and the cabin pressure is lower than on the 787. If you are prone to jet lag or headaches, bring hydration salts. The flight to Cairo uses the 787-9, which is much more comfortable.
Q: What is the checked baggage allowance? For standard economy to Europe, United allows one free checked bag (up to 50 lbs) on transatlantic flights. This is a change from domestic rules. If you booked Basic Economy, you still get the free checked bag for international flights, but you cannot bring a carry-on roller bag.
Q: How early should I arrive at Newark for these flights? For European departures, United recommends 3 hours. The 7:00 PM–9:00 PM departure bank is the busiest time at Terminal C. If you are checking a bag, get there at least 3.5 hours early. The security line at EWR can be brutal, but if you have TSA PreCheck or Clear, you will cut the wait significantly.
Q: What happens if the flight is delayed and I miss my connection? Since these are nonstop flights, there is no connection to miss on the outbound. The risk is on the return. If your flight from Split is delayed and you miss your connection to (say) Chicago, United will rebook you on the next available flight. Because you are on a single ticket, you are protected. Just do not book a separate ticket for a domestic connection—that is a risk you should not take.
Final Verdict
This expansion is a game-changer for travelers who hate connections. The Split and Glasgow routes are the winners. Book early, avoid Basic Economy, and check the aircraft type before you pay for an upgrade.
If you are flexible with dates, use the Google Flights calendar view to find the cheapest days. The difference between a Tuesday departure and a Saturday departure on these routes can be $300.
For the best value, I recommend the Glasgow route. The daily frequency gives you flexibility, and Scotland is a year-round destination that does not punish you for bad weather. For the best experience, book Split and pair it with a week sailing the Croatian islands.
Remember, these introductory fares will not last. Once the planes start filling up in April, the algorithms will raise the prices to match the demand. If you are serious about going, book within the next two weeks.
Prices and schedules are as of September 2, 2026, and are subject to change. Always verify on the United app before booking.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps keep the site running. I only recommend products and services I have personally vetted or would use myself.
Last updated: 2026-09-02