United Airlines will launch direct flights from Faro and Funchal to New York in 2025.
According to the news from the newspaper O Público on 1 October, United Airlines will be the first and only American airline to offer direct flights between the two Portuguese airports and New York.
United Airlines is gearing up to launch two exciting new summer routes in 2025, connecting New York with Faro and Funchal in Portugal.
This strategic expansion positions United as the first US carrier to offer direct flights from both Faro and Funchal to the U.S.
Furthermore, the airline already stands out as the leader among American carriers in flights to Portugal, serving multiple destinations across the country.
Flights between Faro and New York/Newark airports
The seasonal direct service between Faro and New York/Newark airports, initially planned for this year and postponed to May 16, 2025, will be operated by Boeing 757-200 aircraft. With a capacity of 176 passengers, flights depart every Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 9:35 pm and continue until 22 September. From Faro, flights take off every Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at 11.40 am, operating until 23 September.
Flights between Ilha da Madeira and New York/Newark airports
The connection to Madeira will be operated by Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft, with a capacity of 116 passengers. Departures will start on 5 June, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from New York/Newark at 9.50 pm until 23 September 2025; returns from Funchal will be on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 11.30 am until 24 September.
United Airlines is actively expanding its global reach with the announcement of its largest international growth initiative, which is set to launch next summer.
Specifically, the airline will introduce 11 new flights connecting to eight destinations, including Nuuk in Greenland, Palermo in Italy, and Bilbao in Spain.
This strategic expansion not only enhances United’s European footprint but also complements its existing services, such as daily flights from Lisbon to New York and nearly year-round connections to Washington, D.C. Additionally, the airline operates seasonal routes from Porto and Ponta Delgada in the Azores to New York/Newark.
This initiative clearly highlights United’s commitment to expanding its global network and enhancing connectivity for travellers. By adding routes to less commonly served destinations like Nuuk and Bilbao, United actively seeks to diversify its portfolio, thereby meeting the demands of a broader range of passengers who are eager for new travel experiences.