United Airlines Announces Major International Expansion, Adding New Destinations for 2025

United Airlines unveiled plans on Thursday for its largest-ever international expansion, adding flights to eight new cities across multiple continents.

The new routes, set to begin in May 2025, include several destinations that are not currently served by any other US carrier. In total, United will launch 11 new routes next year, expanding its global reach.

The newly announced destinations include:

• Bilbao, Spain
• Dakar, Senegal
• Faro, Portugal
• Kaohsiung, Taiwan
• Madeira Island, Portugal
• Nuuk, Greenland
• Palermo, Italy
• Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

Seven of these destinations are exclusive to United among US airlines. In addition to these cities, United is adding new nonstop flights to locations it already serves. For example, it will introduce routes from Washington Dulles International Airport to Nice, France, as well as a new flight from Houston to Puerto Escondido, Mexico.

United’s expansion also includes adding niche destinations like Nuuk, Greenland, and Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, further solidifying its position as the largest US carrier across the Atlantic and Pacific. The airline is leveraging “fifth-freedom” flight rights, allowing it to operate between two foreign countries, with new routes from Tokyo’s Narita International Airport to Kaohsiung, Taiwan, and Palau.

In Europe, United’s network will grow with new flights from Newark Liberty International Airport to Faro and Madeira in Portugal, Bilbao in Spain, and Palermo in Italy.

The airline’s senior vice president of global network planning, Patrick Quayle, emphasized that these unique routes will help United stand out from its competitors, attracting new customers to lesser-known destinations.

The full list of new international and domestic routes for 2025 includes:

• Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia to Tokyo (seasonal, beginning May 1)
• Kaohsiung, Taiwan to Tokyo (year-round, starting July 11)
• Koror, Palau to Tokyo (year-round, beginning April 2)
• Nuuk, Greenland to Newark (seasonal, starting June 14)
• Palermo, Italy to Newark (seasonal, beginning May 21)
• Bilbao, Spain to Newark (seasonal, starting May 31)
• Faro, Portugal to Newark (seasonal, beginning May 16)
• Madeira Island, Portugal to Newark (seasonal, starting June 7)
• Dakar, Senegal to Washington Dulles (year-round, beginning May 23)
• Nice, France to Washington Dulles (seasonal, starting May 24)
• Venice, Italy to Washington Dulles (seasonal, beginning May 22)
• San Francisco to San Jose, Costa Rica (daily, starting May 22)
• Puerto Escondido, Mexico to Houston (year-round, beginning April 5, operated by Mesa Airlines)

CBS News and Business Insider contributed to this report.