Dakar Joins Stockholm, Greensboro, and More on United Airlines’ Shocking List of Cancelled Destinations – Passengers Furious as Major Routes Vanish!

Published on November 20, 2025

In a recent strategic move, United Airlines (UA) has announced the discontinuation of its flights from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) to Dakar Blaise Diagne International Airport (DSS) and from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Stockholm Arlanda Airport (ARN) starting in 2026. The decision follows a detailed review of route performance and market demand. As both routes now vanish from future schedules, bookings have already been closed for Dakar from early March and for Stockholm for the entirety of 2026.

Why United’s Dakar and Stockholm Routes Are Disappearing

The decision to pull the plug on the Dakar and Stockholm flights was driven by several factors, including lower-than-expected demand and the airline’s ongoing effort to optimise its route network. Early performance data, including seat load factors and booking trends, revealed that the flights were struggling to achieve the level of stability United had anticipated for long-term profitability.

The flight from Washington Dulles to Dakar, which began in May 2025, operated on a Boeing 767-300ER and was expected to offer three weekly flights throughout the year. However, with a seat load factor of only 65% between May and July 2025, the route was deemed unsustainable in the long term. Despite efforts to make the route a viable connection, the weak early performance pointed to challenges in attracting consistent demand. Meanwhile, competition in the market remains strong, with Delta offering up to five weekly flights from New York’s JFK airport to Dakar on the same aircraft type, further intensifying the pressure on United’s fledgling service.

Flight Performance and the Competitive Market Landscape

In addition to the weak seat load factor, United faced increasing competition on the Dakar route, as Delta’s presence from New York JFK proved to be more popular with passengers. The final United Airlines service to Dakar from Washington Dulles is scheduled for March 4, 2026. Other international carriers, including Air Transat, are also planning to serve the Dakar market, with the airline beginning Montreal-Dakar service in June 2026 using the A321LR. Despite this, United’s route had a small contribution from Montreal—its second-largest connecting market—which only accounted for around six percent of total connecting traffic.

The End of United’s Stockholm Route and the Shrinking Seasonal Window

On the other hand, the Newark to Stockholm route has a much longer history, dating back to United’s days as Continental Airlines. However, the service has seen a consistent decline in the number of flights over the years. Originally operated on a seasonal basis, the number of flights between Newark and Stockholm had already decreased dramatically from 128 flights in 2019 to just 88 in 2025. The airline had planned to stretch the seasonal operation slightly in 2026 with daily service running from June 4 to September 6. These flights, however, have now been removed from the schedule entirely.

Despite a relatively stable seat load factor of 88% in the summer months, United’s strategy to shift resources towards more profitable and niche leisure destinations has led to this decision. In recent years, the overall traffic for Stockholm has been much lower due to the narrowing of the service window, with flights now operating only in peak summer months.

Shifting Focus to Niche and Seasonal Routes in 2026

The discontinuation of these two international routes reflects United’s broader strategy of reallocating resources towards stronger leisure markets, particularly in Europe. While the airline is pulling back from Dakar and Stockholm, it is introducing new and more niche routes, including flights to cities such as Bari, Santiago de Compostela, and Split, which will launch in 2026. Additionally, Glasgow is set to make a return to United’s network, further diversifying its European offerings.

United has also made plans to introduce three new seasonal routes for 2025 and 2026, catering specifically to peak summer travel demand. These routes, which include seasonal Saturday-only services from Newark to Kalispell, Houston to Rapid City, and Los Angeles to Montrose, reflect the airline’s focus on leisure destinations with high regional demand. These seasonal routes aim to connect passengers to mountain and outdoor locations, where demand remains strong during the summer months.

Domestic Route Adjustments and Discontinuations

In parallel with its international route adjustments, United Airlines is making several changes to its domestic network. The airline has confirmed the discontinuation of its service between Greensboro (GSO) and Denver (DEN), with the final flight scheduled for January 6, 2026. United launched this route in 2023, but factors such as seasonal demand and market performance have led to the route’s termination. Additionally, the airline is ending flights from Newark to Montreal in 2026, further reflecting its recalibration of domestic offerings.

Conclusion: United’s Shift in Focus

The withdrawal from the Dakar and Stockholm routes is just one of many changes happening at United Airlines as the carrier continues to fine-tune its network. The airline is turning its attention to seasonal markets and areas with more targeted demand, reflecting shifting preferences for leisure travel in peak months. As United adjusts its fleet and resources, passengers will see changes in availability and service, but the overall focus remains on connecting passengers to destinations with strong demand. While United’s international network will undoubtedly experience some contractions, its focus on high-demand leisure routes, such as those to Bari, Santiago de Compostela, and Split, is set to define the next phase of its growth strategy.