If you ask me, United Airlines has by far the most interesting route network of any US carrier, and the airline keeps expanding. In recent years, United has made a game of allowing the public to guess new routes, and I sure enjoy playing along. Here’s the latest example of that.
In this post:
United plans to announce new routes
United will be announcing new routes at 8AM ET on Thursday, March 7, 2024. United has posted a 45-second video on social media, giving some clues about the new routes.
The video is Indiana Jones themed, and features Patrick Quayle, United’s SVP of Global Network Planning and Alliances. The video shows three pairs of airplanes with maps. Unfortunately the maps are really zoomed in and seem to be intentionally simplified, so as not to give too much away. You can watch the video for yourself below…
What new routes will United introduce?
Historically United’s biggest expansion has been across the Atlantic, to Europe. Those routes are typically announced in the fall, so that people have plenty of time to book. Therefore I suspect this announcement is a bit different. With that in mind, a few thoughts…
First of all, it seems to me like United will launch three new routes, with each pair of an aircraft and a map representing one of those routes:
- First we see a United Boeing 787-10 departing what looks like Newark (EWR), flying to the east
- Then we see a United Boeing 737-800 departing what looks like Houston (IAH), flying to the southeast
- Then we see a United Boeing 737-800 departing what looks like… I’m not sure, exactly… flying to the southeast
Assuming all of this is accurate, what routes could United announce?
- I imagine the second route is something from Houston to Latin America or the Caribbean; I think it’s probably not too exciting in the scheme of things
- I’m not sure what to make of the third route, though could it be that the map shows Japan, and that this is a formal announcement of United adding Tokyo Haneda to Guam flights, as the airline recently got the authority to launch that route?
I think what’s most intriguing is the new 787 route. In terms of timing, it seems most logical that this would be a (possibly seasonal) winter route, since this would be the time for that to go on sale. At least under normal circumstances, this would be too late to add Europe flights for the summer of 2024, and too early to add Europe flights for the summer of 2025.
So, where could United add seasonal service to that could be flown with a 787-10?
- Could we see United finally add service to Morocco? That’s a popular winter destination, though starting that service with a 787-10 seems aggressive in terms of capacity
- This is a long shot, but could we see United add seasonal service to the Maldives, since United has had success in other long haul leisure markets? That also seems questionable, since that would be an 8,700+ mile flight, and certainly wouldn’t be within range for the 787-10 (though it would probably be possible with the 787-9)
I suspect it’s not either of those, but they’re the first things that come to mind. Where else in Asia or Africa could United add seasonal service? And if the map is to be trusted, it seems like it’s a pretty straight shot east from Newark, so it’s not too far north, and not too far south.
Bottom line
United Airlines is teasing new routes that will be announced tomorrow. It seems like we may see three routes announcement, with one being operated by a 787-10, and two being operated by 737-800s. I think the 787 route is out of Newark and one of the 737 routes is out of Houston, though I could be totally wrong here.
The most intriguing route will be the new 787 route, and I’m guessing this will be a winter seasonal service, based on the timing. I could be totally wrong, though.
What routes do you think United will announce?
United needs to do a seasonal EWR to ALC or VLC in Spain's Costa Blanca.. Europeans know about this paradise, this market will sell for U.S travelers as well
Why not Prague the flights were always full
The first one looks like something from EWR to somewhere near the Med. I'm gonna go ahead and say EWR-CMN.
The second one is IAH-CTG. It seems like a logical destination in Latin America due SE from Houston.
The third one is a bit tricky. The peninsula looks a lot like Korea, which is why I'm gonna bet on ICN-GUM. However, I have my doubts because the landmass right next to it looks a lot like mainland Southeast Asia.
Likely Cairo.
The man has an Indiana Jones hat and the theme music sounds like.
Plus, Egypt has a big enough population to start the flight with an 787-10 and Egypt Air is a Star Alliance member.
Portuguese media is reporting EWR-FAO
The First one is Newark-Cairo
The second one is so tricky but probably Houston-Colombia
The last one is Guam-Seoul
We need more nonstops from USA to Scotland.
Got it?
Well, for Me its a recreation of the scene from "Raiders of the lost ark", when Indiana travels from SFO to HNL to MNL and finally to Nepal.
United will flight the 787 from SFO or EWR to KTM,
or EWR to RAK and CAI.
EWR-CAI
IAH-CTG
BKK-SFO
Without a doubt it will be EWR to Aden to take advantage of the Galaxy Leader attraction.
They will be flying from EWR to FAO
It's got to be Egypt!
But I hope one day soon it will be BKK from SFO.
Casablanca.
What about Orlando being a gateway to the Caribbean, Latin and South America? Hmmm
EWR-CAI is the only thing that makes sense with the Indiana Jones theme. Hopefully they will deepen their code-share relationship with EgyptAir and open up East Africa destinations with some alternatives to FRA/BRU.
the 787-10 was probably just the only 787 b-roll they had of a plane with the new livery, so the actual aircraft used could not be depicted here.
The new seasonal EWR to Tenerife has been successful so could they be adding an EWR to Madeira, the runway will accommodate a 787 ands it’s a winter sun destination.
The last one looked like Seoul to Guam. The first didn’t have a flight path to Europe, it was too “low”. Africa?
We need a nonstop 787 service from LAX to SAN
This doesn't look like it has anything to do with Indiana Jones.
It's Carmen Sandiego.
CAI makes the most Indiana Jones sense IMO.
I don't know how you make EWR-CMB work with current airspace restrictions. I think it would have to be over a 9,000 mile flight.
Which airspace restrictions??
Beyond Sicily, Morocco or Egypt from EWR would make sense as they are both locations for one Indiana Jones film.
Almost 100% sure one of them is HND-GUM - the last route seems to be departing from Tokyo, it would be a 737-800, and we know UA just got the HND slots for the route so it's coming (and UA likes to add routes that got a recent unofficial announcement into their bigger PR splashes).
As for the others, my guess would be EWR-PMO (although the 787-10 seems a bit big), since it's a route...
Almost 100% sure one of them is HND-GUM - the last route seems to be departing from Tokyo, it would be a 737-800, and we know UA just got the HND slots for the route so it's coming (and UA likes to add routes that got a recent unofficial announcement into their bigger PR splashes).
As for the others, my guess would be EWR-PMO (although the 787-10 seems a bit big), since it's a route they announced right before COVID and didn't resume, but more importantly, because the new Indiana Jones film is set in Sicily.
My money for the 787-10 route is to Cairo from Newark. Air Canada already has a seasonal 787-9 flight from Montreal to CAI in the winter, and it seems to be doing quite good. I think this is most likely, and there is definetly demand for a 787-10.
Casablanca and Rabat are my second guesses for that first new route. I think the video shows the line departing EWR as being "not too north...
My money for the 787-10 route is to Cairo from Newark. Air Canada already has a seasonal 787-9 flight from Montreal to CAI in the winter, and it seems to be doing quite good. I think this is most likely, and there is definetly demand for a 787-10.
Casablanca and Rabat are my second guesses for that first new route. I think the video shows the line departing EWR as being "not too north and not too south" because of a square map being used. It might not be meant to represent the great circle routing (since this guessing game is for the public and a great circle route highlight would always go north, so it would be impossible to tell if the flight is going to London, or Copenhagen, or Athens, or Istanbul, or Dubai).
Also, that third flight in the video looks like it's departing Washington Dulles. Probably a route to South America (I would guess Bogota for the connections to Avianca).
Also, the 787-10 route could also be to Manchester. That was my first thought because of the huge demand between the two cities and Virgin Atlantic and Aer Lingus already fly between them, but there is no Star Alliance airline currently competing.
United: choose wisely
He chose... poorly.
Morocco! Look on the MAP route line touch on Morocco country in the end of video!!!!!!!
The 787-10 is EWR to IST. Confirmed.
considering TK is in Star, it makes you wonder what changed that UA decided to jump back in after leaving IST.
and when does service start if it is being announced now? A winter start? trying to get more Middle East traffic?
It is not confirmed, unless Sam is revealing some inside info.
There's a reason I didn't use my last name. Connecting onward traffic is going to play a big role.
I would be surprised if United didn't add a bit more China service from the east coast given the approval for weekly flights just went up.
Delta does DTW-PVG on the A350 in the winter and it has exceeded 17 hours at times. ORD-PVG would be similar. UA has not been interested in operating sustained 17 hour flights because it involves payload restrictions that get too high on the 787.
EWR-China is even longer.
UA has to figure out how to operate 17+ hour flights which probably means taking more seats off the 787-9 or waiting for Boeing to...
Delta does DTW-PVG on the A350 in the winter and it has exceeded 17 hours at times. ORD-PVG would be similar. UA has not been interested in operating sustained 17 hour flights because it involves payload restrictions that get too high on the 787.
EWR-China is even longer.
UA has to figure out how to operate 17+ hour flights which probably means taking more seats off the 787-9 or waiting for Boeing to come up with the higher weight versions.
US to PEK flight times are currently longer than to PVG for the same US origin because of the Russia airspace closures which essentially requires flying over Tokyo then due west a couple hours to Beijing.
and UA has repeatedly listed a bunch of China routes it wants to fly and seems to be the most interested in LAX-PVG which DL has been awarded but keeps pushing back flying.
The peninsula is Florida...
Also, don't get too hung up on the exact type as depicted. AFAIK 787-10 is the only one in that fleet United has b-roll of in the new livery. Could just as easily be a 787-8 or 9...
given that UA is still committed to spending an eye-popping $12 billion on aircraft in 2024 - more than 3X what AA, DL or WN will spend - and UA's 787 fleet is not going to grow much and it is running around the world looking for any planes it can buy to save its NEXT plan, the chances are these routes won't use much new airplane time.
UA did say earlier that it...
given that UA is still committed to spending an eye-popping $12 billion on aircraft in 2024 - more than 3X what AA, DL or WN will spend - and UA's 787 fleet is not going to grow much and it is running around the world looking for any planes it can buy to save its NEXT plan, the chances are these routes won't use much new airplane time.
UA did say earlier that it doesn't plan to grow its TATL operation in 2024 but rather just reallocate resources, esp. from northern to southern Europe.
K
Leaving DL and AA in the dust. UA without doubt has the best network hubs of the Big 3. This trend will continue for years to come. UA is unstoppable!
and yet DL has more flights and carries more local NYC passengers than UA and DL is also larger in LAX which is a larger market than SFO.
DL has a higher share of the midwest and in its hub markets between its dual DTW and MSP hubs than UA has at ORD while ATL is unquestionably the largest hub.
AA's DFW and CLT hubs are both larger than anything UA operates.
And,...
and yet DL has more flights and carries more local NYC passengers than UA and DL is also larger in LAX which is a larger market than SFO.
DL has a higher share of the midwest and in its hub markets between its dual DTW and MSP hubs than UA has at ORD while ATL is unquestionably the largest hub.
AA's DFW and CLT hubs are both larger than anything UA operates.
And, of course, UA is like 6th out of 10 US airlines - or worse - in Florida.
Only if one "omits" all of those facts does one conclude that UA has the best network.
Why do you treat everything as a pissing match? DL might be bigger than UA and AA at LAX but to assert that it remotely compares to SFO's overall dominance from the west coast to Asia in terms of volume and network is laughable. Also in response to another one of your essays, UA is still flying SFO-SIN twice daily, which also *routinely* takes over 17 hours in the winters, and they appear to be...
Why do you treat everything as a pissing match? DL might be bigger than UA and AA at LAX but to assert that it remotely compares to SFO's overall dominance from the west coast to Asia in terms of volume and network is laughable. Also in response to another one of your essays, UA is still flying SFO-SIN twice daily, which also *routinely* takes over 17 hours in the winters, and they appear to be doing so profitably. Your entire personality does not have to revolve around brown-nosing your favorite airline.
I do think it is important for you to acknowledge UA's superiority to DL in almost every sense. Even the teaser videos show their superior marketing to DL.
It really hurts when someone says ANY airline is better than Delta.
Even with the reduced fleet growth rate this year, UA is still taking delivery of almost 100 planes, still a huge number of planes and significantly more than any other airlines.
Seven of those will be 787s, in addition to dozens of more 787s in 2025. United will have no problem adding more routes.
Also, UA is the number one carrier in local NYC traffic, not DL. This is supported by the data...
Even with the reduced fleet growth rate this year, UA is still taking delivery of almost 100 planes, still a huge number of planes and significantly more than any other airlines.
Seven of those will be 787s, in addition to dozens of more 787s in 2025. United will have no problem adding more routes.
Also, UA is the number one carrier in local NYC traffic, not DL. This is supported by the data provided by Brett Snyder in his Cranky Flier pieces. You keep saying otherwise but don’t provide the data.
I can keep repeating that the sun rises in the west but that doesn’t make it true.
Why should I not shoot down the wild and inaccurate
Brett Snyder does not have access to full O&D data. He cannot accurately tell us what total local O&D is in any city. He is a good guy and discloses his data limitations as does enilria but a whole lot of people don't read those disclaimers.
and the simple fact is that people argue that UA has the best network.
We can make...
Why should I not shoot down the wild and inaccurate
Brett Snyder does not have access to full O&D data. He cannot accurately tell us what total local O&D is in any city. He is a good guy and discloses his data limitations as does enilria but a whole lot of people don't read those disclaimers.
and the simple fact is that people argue that UA has the best network.
We can make all the claims we want but UA's network does not deliver more total revenue than DL and UA's network trails AA and DL's domestic revenue by billions of dollars per year.
the evidence of how long UA is willing to schedule their 787s is apparent - they have cancelled a half dozen routes that exceed 17 hours with Russia airspace restrictions that airlines that have A350s operate.
So you have access to better data than Brett Snyder, one of the most respected and insightful aviation bloggers in the world? Good to know.
Not routing a 787 on a segment doesn’t mean the plane can’t operate the flight. UA has its SFO TPAC powerhouse, as well as 16 flights a day to Japan, where it has connectivity around Asia through JV partner NH. DL has neither of those, as its five flights to HND have limited connectivity. DL has to route its planes from DTW.
Brett Snyder does not have access to international O&D data. He says so. Period. Full stop.
And even if you don't want to argue about local passenger boardings, how is UA"s network the greatest when they are groveling to get back into JFK when AA and DL serve all 3 NYC airports?
And KE is a larger TPAC airline than NH or JL or any other Asian airline.
You want to bring up...
Brett Snyder does not have access to international O&D data. He says so. Period. Full stop.
And even if you don't want to argue about local passenger boardings, how is UA"s network the greatest when they are groveling to get back into JFK when AA and DL serve all 3 NYC airports?
And KE is a larger TPAC airline than NH or JL or any other Asian airline.
You want to bring up JVs? I'll remind you EVERY TIME that KE is larger. ICN is a larger local market than NRT. All NRT Is good for is to connect traffic to Asia yet ICN is a larger connecting hub than either Tokyo airport. Your claims are factually wrong and steeped with arrogance but nothing else.
UA"s larger size is because of its flights to HKG, SIN and cities outside of NE Asia.
UA has fewer flights from HND to the US than DL. How is that superior to anything?
UA has more international service in NYC than DL, so adding the international flights would increase UA’s lead over DL.
Japan is a larger market than Korea, and UA has 16 flights to Japan. HND allows connections to the massive domestic Japanese market, as well as other markets in the region, while NRT serves connections further into Asia. They have a portfolio of Japan service that is the envy of AA and DL.
...UA has more international service in NYC than DL, so adding the international flights would increase UA’s lead over DL.
Japan is a larger market than Korea, and UA has 16 flights to Japan. HND allows connections to the massive domestic Japanese market, as well as other markets in the region, while NRT serves connections further into Asia. They have a portfolio of Japan service that is the envy of AA and DL.
You always downplay NRT, but why would UA serve both NRT and HND from several gateways if NRT added no value. UA has shown they’ll discontinue flying that doesn’t add to the network, so the NRT flights from gateways also serving HND should be long gone, by your logic.
And the 787 IGWs are just around the corner, so no need to worry about markets that will perform better with those planes.
the only reason UA"s SFO-SIN flights are taking over 17 hours is because they are spending as much as 1 hour and 5 minutes taxiing out.
In none of the last 2 weeks did UA's SFO-SIN flight spend more than 17 hours in the air.
They cancelled all of the routes above plus ORD-DEL because the time in the air exceeded 17 hours, not just the total flight.
A350s with lesser capabilities than the best available today flight an hour plus more than any UA flights.
Newark to Colombo, Sri Lanka on the 787-10
San Juan to Monrovia, Liberia on the 737 Max
You heard it here first.
don't even think the 787 can make it to CMB
he was joking (or was he?)
My money’s on Cairo lol, with Casablanca as. secondary choice
The 737s are -800s with scimitar winglets, not MAXes.
Maybe CPH as SAS leaves for SkyTeam?
While I don’t think it will be on tomorrow’s list I hope that UA will announce Palermo as a new route soon. UA announced this a few years ago but cancelled it before it began due to the pandemic.
New UK destination out of EWR?? My guess is LGW London Gatwick. Safe bet and BA and B6 competition out of jfk.
Other guesses with the 764 - I'd love to see a Brazil expansion with EWR-GIG. Should be in range and might initially fly east but a bit tricky with the clue.
All hail our Delta overlords.
Surprised the Cult of Delta leader hasn't responded to this yet....
1) EWR-RAK doesn't seem far fetched to me given how popular it's been on recent times, even with a 787-10... It'd be pretty cool if they started service to Rovaniemi, has also become increasingly popular in recent years and even TK has winter service to it (that being said I don't see how UA could make it work with a wide-body, assuming the airport could handle it).
2) IAH-MAO... the whole Indiana Jones vibe means...
1) EWR-RAK doesn't seem far fetched to me given how popular it's been on recent times, even with a 787-10... It'd be pretty cool if they started service to Rovaniemi, has also become increasingly popular in recent years and even TK has winter service to it (that being said I don't see how UA could make it work with a wide-body, assuming the airport could handle it).
2) IAH-MAO... the whole Indiana Jones vibe means there must be a flight to the Amazon rainforest and that's the largest airport there ;) Cuzco would be cool too, but operational challenges regarding altitude and the fact that November to April tends to be wet season, pretty much excludes it.
3) IAH-GIG? No idea tbh... feel like it might be IAD-Latin America, but even that doesn't quite add up with the map shown
IAD-GIG*
Rovaniemi is able to handle widebodies, but while flights from Europe have increased in recent years (and Finnair planned flights to Beijing pre-covid), I don't think there is enough demand from the US unless they are partnering with a tour operator.
I think the Indiana Jones reference is a clue. I am going with EWR to Cairo. Egyptair is in the Star Alliance.
That was my thought. it was a very Indiana Jones-y ad from the character to the music and the map scenes. I'd look to settings of IJ movies
In less than 24 hours, we will know for certain!
Amman Jordan.
Petra was used in the last crusade.
United already flies to Amman
Last one looks like ICN-GUM
I think people overlooked this. The flight departed from a peninsula that looked an awful lot like Korea
That peninsula looks an awful lot like the Bōsō peninsula in Japan which hems in Tokyo Bay.
Yes, it's most likely HND-GUM as UA just got the slots.
The 787 route is most probably to the UK as this was hinted a few weeks ago by the always reliable Sean M.
Manchester? They could launch this late summer say July or August.
I heard a rumour that its going to he a UK destination
Would be nice if they brought back a route to Manchester. Was a frequent traveler of the EWR-MAN route.
I'll guess United will declare Chapter 7 and merge with Delta...the know they'll never match Delta's #1 PREMIUM status and have just decided to give up at flying!
I'll guess that you and your mocking name sakes only incentivize me to do exactly what you don't want.
Maybe enough of Ben's readers will decide they are tired of seeing me brought into every discussion and the guaranteed back and forth that ruins every conversation and start blocking you.
In the meantime, everyone suffers from your childish antics
Probably cuz of your antics across multiple blogs.
there is a difference between participating in multiple sites and posting accurate and factual information - and you not liking it - and trashing every story.
I am not going to stop doing the former. If the price is the childish antics of a few crybabies, then we will all get used to having childish comments added to even an even greater amount of factual but negative information about AA and UA, the two airlines who have the most sensitive internet fan kids.
You mistake what you perceive as facts and what are actual facts.
Nobody cares about negative comments about any specific airline. It’s trolling behavior that people find annoying with you. Just wean it back and people might take you seriously.
fact you don't like are facts nonetheless.
I will not pull back anything until the mocking of me personally ends.
These are airlines, not anyone's family members.
Those that attack people personally ruin the experience for everyone.
Boo hoo, Timmeh. Personally, I don't want to see someone shoehorn irrelevant material regarding an airline that I personally hate (for good reason) in a thread regarding the airline that I most frequently use, namely the subject of this thread. Delta has the worst customer service of the Big Four, has a minimal presence at my home airport, and is a misery to fly when I have to do so, mostly because I have to...
Boo hoo, Timmeh. Personally, I don't want to see someone shoehorn irrelevant material regarding an airline that I personally hate (for good reason) in a thread regarding the airline that I most frequently use, namely the subject of this thread. Delta has the worst customer service of the Big Four, has a minimal presence at my home airport, and is a misery to fly when I have to do so, mostly because I have to deal then with an airport that I absolutely can't stand in MSP. I don't need a rah-rah cheerleader like you posting information that is either carefully selected at best or biased at worst.
you make up BS because you can't stand reality.
Feel free to define how to define customer service but the DOT does and it involves ontime, cancellation rates, baggage handling, oversales, wheelchair handling and customer complaints.
United was worse than Delta in EVERY SINGLE ONE of those categories in 2023.
Who really cares about where you travel? The simple facts are that Delta runs a better airline and the more you post crap...
you make up BS because you can't stand reality.
Feel free to define how to define customer service but the DOT does and it involves ontime, cancellation rates, baggage handling, oversales, wheelchair handling and customer complaints.
United was worse than Delta in EVERY SINGLE ONE of those categories in 2023.
Who really cares about where you travel? The simple facts are that Delta runs a better airline and the more you post crap like you do, the more I will make sure to ensure that you and everyone else has to read the actual facts - esp. when you trash my name in the process.
yes, Ben wouldn't think of cutting off anything that incites a response.
I mean - look at how many responses the Etihad IPO story got.
Okay, Timmeh, personal experiences are anecdotal, of course, and not numbers that you can manipulate and selectively choose to prove your "point", but here are mine:
1) Every flight I've had on Delta has been miserable, with derisory at best service from the FAs, who disappeared after the beverage service. Anyone who wasn't high-status got a pro forma appearance and nothing else. This includes TATL that I took on Delta (ORD-LHR). My return trip on...
Okay, Timmeh, personal experiences are anecdotal, of course, and not numbers that you can manipulate and selectively choose to prove your "point", but here are mine:
1) Every flight I've had on Delta has been miserable, with derisory at best service from the FAs, who disappeared after the beverage service. Anyone who wasn't high-status got a pro forma appearance and nothing else. This includes TATL that I took on Delta (ORD-LHR). My return trip on Virgin Atlantic was a whole different story.
2) Got caught in some irrops on the ORD-MSP leg of a trip and missed a connection to a destination that DL services 2x daily (I was on the first of those flights; if you want specifics, it was MSP-GFK). I was offered a flight in three days, no arguments, no alternatives, no attempt for other transportation. After hitting a brick wall dealing with the Delta CS, I ended up flying back to Chicago, taking an ORD-FAR flight, and driving. And all of it was on my beloved UA.
Those are my experiences on your beloved "premium airline". I haven't flown them since #2 occurred.
Tim Dunn and the Dunn fluff.
If any site wants to block someone from ruining the conversation they would have blocked you.
You are the Premium Air Line cult of parrot. Remove Tim and no one would bombard every blog with Premium Delta fluff, and no one would reply to if it didn't exist.
So careful of what you ask Tim.
But we still love you and you're still making money for the blogs....
Tim Dunn and the Dunn fluff.
If any site wants to block someone from ruining the conversation they would have blocked you.
You are the Premium Air Line cult of parrot. Remove Tim and no one would bombard every blog with Premium Delta fluff, and no one would reply to if it didn't exist.
So careful of what you ask Tim.
But we still love you and you're still making money for the blogs. You go beyond what clickbait can do.
Blogs can pull a Tim bait, and the traffic goes wild.
OK ..that made me laugh.
Dulles or EWR to Marrakech!
Houston to Guyana??
EWR to Guyana???
IAH-GEO was already announced last year and will launch this summer.