Airlines like United have traditionally used a hub-and-spoke model, which involves funneling passengers via major hubs and only serving high-demand locations.
United Airlines (UA), a legacy carrier based in the United States, plans to innovate considerably in network planning this year. The airline, which recently had one of its finest years on record, aims to become the most successful airline in the United States.
According to FlightRadar 24, in October 2024, United Airlines announced a huge route extension that caused shockwaves throughout the industry.
United Airlines Italy and Portugal Destinations
What made United’s route expansion stand out was not only the vast number of new destinations, but also the fact that they were smaller. Many of these cities have never had direct flights into the United States.
Airlines like United have traditionally used a hub-and-spoke model, which involves funneling passengers via major hubs and only serving high-demand locations.
However, this route growth pushes United closer to a point-to-point economic model. Budget airlines primarily adopt this concept. As a result, many people are wondering why United has chosen such a unique course forward.
A deeper look at the specific routes being added to United’s network
Before delving deeper into the rationale for launching flights to such unusual destinations, consider the routes themselves. United will introduce the following routes in 2025:
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Faro International Airport (FAO)
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Palermo Airport (PMO)
- Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE)
- Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Nice Cote D’Azur Airport (NCE)
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Bilbao International Airport (BIO)
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Madeira Airport (FNC)
- Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS)
In addition to these additional services to US hubs, the airline plans to launch three new flights from Tokyo (NRT). These flights will connect the city with Kaohsiung (KHH), Ulaanbaatar (UBN), and Koror (ROR). These flights will connect passengers from these cities to United’s network, allowing United passengers to reach these destinations via connecting flights.
Long-haul ultra-Efficient aircraft make these routes possible
Operating flights from New York to smaller places such as Palermo, Italy, was inconceivable twenty years ago. Palermo is a lesser tourist hub than other towns such as Rome or Venice, and airlines often struggle to fill seats on routes to the city with low passenger demand.
Previously, an airline looking to reach Palermo would have required to use a long-haul, high-capacity widebody plane such as the Boeing 747.
They could have flown a smaller jet, such as the Boeing 737, but it would have had to stop somewhere along the way. Even the longest-range Boeing 737 MAX models cannot fly from Newark to Palermo (or any other Italian city).
Today, however, airlines face a different situation. The Boeing 787, which joined the market in the 2010s, provides carriers with moderate capacity and exceptional range. United Airlines operates Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners, which seat around 250 passengers and have a range of more than 7,300 nautical miles.
Operating smaller flights allows airlines to maintain higher load factors
The load factor is one of an airline’s most critical performance indicators. This is the proportion of seats filled on a certain flight. Airlines with higher load factors are more likely to remain profitable. This is because they have reduced operating costs per passenger.
If United Airlines did not have a Boeing 787 to operate their flight to Palermo and instead had a larger Boeing 777, they would have to sell more tickets to maintain their desired break-even load factor. Palermo is a low-demand location, thus the Boeing 777 has a large capacity.
As a result, by operating a smaller narrowbody, such as the 787-8, United Airlines may sell fewer seats while maintaining the appropriate load factors. Furthermore, several of these new lines are seasonal and only run throughout the summer months. United will not fly to low-demand areas such as Palermo outside of peak tourist season.
Extended-range narrowbodies are making it easier to operate to lower-demand destinations
While widebody planes with smaller capacities make service to low-demand destinations more cost-effective than ever before, extended-range narrowbodies have the potential to further transform long-haul point-to-point flights.
For starters, long-range narrowbody aircraft such as the Airbus A321LR and A321XLR combine the capacity of easy-to-fill narrowbody jets with the range of long-haul widebodies.
Other US carriers have already begun to use these planes on transatlantic flights. Older generation narrowbodies, like as the 757, have been in transatlantic service for decades.
JetBlue has also began deploying next-generation long-range narrowbodies, such as the A321LR, for transatlantic trips. This jet is used by JetBlue to fly from its Boston and New York hubs to a variety of European destinations.
United Airlines will begin service to Faro, Portugal, with Boeing 757 aircraft. If the route proves to be successful, the airline would most likely replace these jets with more efficient A320 family jets.
United Airlines plans to replace its Boeing 757 fleet with Airbus A321XLR jets in the coming years. The airline has placed an order for 50 such aircraft, the first of which will be delivered in 2026.
Once the airline obtains A321XLRs, it will be able to establish additional services to remote, off-the-beaten-path places. The A321XLR has a range of 4,700 nautical miles, according to the manufacturer Airbus. This dynamic aircraft allowed the airline to fly nonstop from Newark to destinations such as Mykonos (JMK) in Greece.
The airline could fly to a variety of low-demand Asian locations from its principal West Coast hub, San Francisco International Airport (SFO).
The airline might, for example, travel nonstop from SFO to Okadama Airport (OKD), located near Sapporo on the Japanese island of Hokkaido. Given its proximity to ski areas such as Niseko and Hakuba, this airport is a popular entry point for visitors to Japan.
FAQ
Why is United Airlines adding smaller destinations like Palermo and Faro to its route network?
United Airlines is expanding to smaller destinations to meet growing demand for unique leisure travel experiences. These cities offer attractive tourist spots that are increasingly popular among travelers seeking off-the-beaten-path locations.
When will United Airlines begin flights to Palermo, Italy, and Faro, Portugal?
Flights to Palermo and Faro are expected to begin during the summer 2025 travel season, coinciding with peak vacation demand.
What aircraft will United Airlines use for these new routes?
United Airlines is likely to deploy its narrow-body aircraft, such as the Boeing 737 MAX or Airbus A321XLR, which are well-suited for medium-haul routes to smaller European destinations.
How do these new destinations fit into United Airlines’ strategy?
By adding smaller, less-served cities to its network, United Airlines is diversifying its route portfolio and targeting new customer segments, including adventure seekers and cultural tourists.
Can I book flights to Palermo and Faro with United Airlines now?
Bookings for these destinations will be available closer to the launch date. Travelers are encouraged to monitor United Airlines’ official website for announcements and updates.
