United Expands Network with New Flights to Marrakesh, Medellin and Cebu

United Airlines will introduce three new flight routes later this year, expanding its services to Africa, South America, and Asia.

This fall, the airline will become the first U.S. carrier to offer direct flights to Marrakesh. It will also launch nonstop flights from Houston to Medellin, Colombia, and a new nonstop flight from Tokyo-Narita to Cebu, Philippines.

Photo: United’s 2024 route map. Courtesy of United

“We have consistently been ahead of the curve in finding hidden gem destinations for our customers to explore and remain committed to providing the most unique slate of travel options for their adventures abroad,” said Patrick Quayle, United’s Senior Vice President of Global Network Planning and Alliances.

“With our leading global network and elevated inflight experience, United has become the airline of choice for discerning customers looking for experiences they can’t have with any other carrier.”

New Flights to Marrakesh

Beginning October 31, United will launch a direct flight from Newark (EWR) to Marrakesh, making it the only airline directly connecting the U.S. and Morrocco.

Photo: Marrakech, Morocco. Courtesy of Paul Macallan / Unsplash

The flight will be available thrice weekly onboard the airline’s Boeing 767-300ER.

With this addition, United further expands its presence in Africa, building on its existing service to Accra, Ghana, Lagos, Nigeria, Cape Town, and Johannesburg, South Africa.

Nonstop Service to Colombia

For the first time, United will fly nonstop from its hub in Houston (IAH) to Medellin (MDE). This is the airline’s second destination in Colombia, following Bogota, which is currently served daily.

Photo: Medellin, Colombia. Courtesy of Joel Duncan / Unsplash

The new flight to Medellin is set to begin on October 27, operated with a Boeing 737 aircraft, further increasing United’s route network in Latin America.

Expanded Philippines Presence

This winter, United unveiled an Asia-Pacific route expansion, which included new transpacific services between San Francisco and Manila. Beginning July 31, the airline will expand its presence in the Philippines with a new year-round, nonstop service from Tokyo Narita to Cebu.

Photo: Simala Churchin Cebu, Philippines. Courtesy of Hitoshi Namura on Unsplash

This addition will make United the only U.S. carrier to fly to Cebu with daily flights on a 737-800 aircraft.

International Expansion

With the new routes, United has also unveiled an increase in flights to popular destinations like Hong Kong (HKG), Seoul (ICN), and Porto, Portugal (OPO).

Additionally, United recently expanded its Tokyo service with a new flight from Haneda to Guam.

The airline will also add four weekly flights between Los Angeles and Shanghai, as the Chinese and U.S. governments agreed to increase flights between the two countries.

Photo: United, Boeing 777-200ER. Courtesy of Munich Airport

This service will complement United’s daily service between San Francisco, Shanghai, and Beijing.

Most recently, United also revealed a massive summer expansion, adding more than 100 flights to destinations throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Some of the new flights include new routes and flight frequencies to destinations such as Anchorage (ANC), Calgary (YYC), and Vancouver (YVR).

Currently, the carrier has the most diversified route network among all U.S. airlines. It offers nonstop service to 134 international destinations across 67 countries. In addition, the airline has more flights across the Atlantic and Pacific than all the U.S. carriers combined.