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United to Lead in Spain with Most Flights from the US

The U.S. carrier is adding more direct flights to Barcelona, as well as new routes to Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, and Tenerife

by Fergus Cole

October 17, 2022

Photo: Courtesy of Jason Leung / Unsplash

United Airlines is set to become the number one U.S. airline in terms of Spanish destinations it serves, following its announcement on new transatlantic routes coming up next year.

From the summer of 2023, United will be adding several transatlantic routes to its itinerary, including some new destinations in Spain and a boost to capacity on its existing routes to the country. 

In total, the Chicago-based carrier is expected to have the capacity for 19,760 seats per week between the U.S. and Spain from next summer—a 21.4% increase compared to the summer of 2022.

American Airlines is currently the largest U.S.-based carrier operating in Spain, although it only offers nonstop services to Madrid or Barcelona. While these two cities are, by far, the largest in Spain and some of the most popular destinations for business travelers in Europe, United is to begin offering direct flights to destinations that should appeal more to holidaymakers.

Earlier this year, United added three weekly nonstop flights from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to the popular holiday destinations of Palma de Mallorca (PMI) and Tenerife South (TFS), becoming the only U.S. carrier to do so. And next summer, the airline will add a direct route from Newark to Malaga (AGP), in the heart of the world-renowned ‘Costa del Sol.’

This new route, which will also run three times per week, will be operated by a Boeing 757-200, which has the capacity for 169 seats, including 16 in Business Class and 45 in Premium Economy. 

Photo: Courtesy of Arkin Si / Unsplash

United is also increasing its direct flights to Barcelona (BCN) from next summer. It currently offers daily flights to the Catalan capital from Newark and Washington-Dulles (IAD), but it will complement this with additional daily flights from Chicago O’Hare (ORD). This new route will be operated with Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner with 243 seats, including 28 in Polaris Business Class and 21 in Premium Economy.

Meanwhile, United will continue its daily routes to Madrid (MAD) from Newark and Washington-Dulles.

Other changes to United’s transatlantic flight schedule from next summer include new direct routes to Dubai, Stockholm, Rome, Shannon, and Berlin and an increased number of flights to London and Paris.