United Airlines boosts transatlantic flight routes this summer

Wednesday, April 3, 2024

United Airlines is advancing its flight schedule between Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Milan Malpensa Airport (MXP), marking an earlier start to its seasonal services and expanding its footprint in the transatlantic travel sector for the summer of 2024. The move comes as the airline announces a record-setting number of destinations within its transatlantic network, aiming to serve 38 destinations during the peak travel season.

Starting April 1, 2024, United Airlines kicked off its service between ORD and MXP with flight UA416, utilizing the state-of-the-art Boeing 787-8, registered as N20904. This decision not only underlines United’s commitment to expanding its international services but also strengthens its extensive network in Italy, a key market for the airline.

Building on the carrier’s robust connections, the early resumption of flights between Chicago and Milan supplements United’s year-round daily services from Milan to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), alongside existing routes between Rome Fiumicino International Airport (FCO) and EWR. This is part of United’s broader strategy to enhance its Italian network, which also features seasonal flights from Venice Marco Polo Airport (VCE) and Naples Airport (NAP) to EWR, and from FCO to multiple U.S. destinations including ORD, Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD), and San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Overall, the airline plans to offer up to 11 daily non-stop services between the United States and Italy, showcasing the significance of the Italian market in United’s global strategy.

Walter Cianciusi, the Country Sales Manager of Italy for United Airlines, expressed enthusiasm about extending the seasonal service between Chicago and Milan. He highlighted the opportunity this provides for customers planning their holiday travels, offering another enticing Italian destination within United’s expansive network.

Andrea Tucci, the Vice President of Aviation Business Development at SEA Milan Airports, lauded United Airlines’ decision to enhance its service to MXP from two major U.S. gateways. This move aligns with SEA Milan Airports’ strategic vision and underscores the importance of Milan as a central hub in the transatlantic travel ecosystem.

Further showcasing United Airlines’ ambitious expansion in the transatlantic domain, data from the aviation analytics company Cirium reveals significant growth in the airline’s operations between the U.S. and Europe for the summer season of 2024 compared to the previous year. United has scheduled an impressive 929 additional one-way flights, which translates to 123,196 extra seats and an increase of 1.1 billion in available seat kilometers (ASKs) over the eight-month period from April to October. This expansion is a testament to United’s strategic focus on enhancing connectivity and capacity across the Atlantic, catering to the rising demand for transatlantic travel.

Notably, United Airlines has increased its flight frequency to key destinations such as Rome, Barcelona El Prat Airport (BCN), and Brussels Airport (BRU), further solidifying its position as a leading carrier in the transatlantic travel market. The airline’s collaboration with the Lufthansa Group, particularly through the integration with Brussels Airlines at BRU, aims to establish Brussels as a pivotal global hub for travel into Africa, highlighting United’s comprehensive approach to network development and its commitment to offering passengers more options and greater flexibility for international travel.

United Airlines’ proactive measures to enhance its transatlantic service portfolio underscore the airline’s dedication to meeting the evolving needs of global travelers. With the largest-ever schedule set for the summer of 2024, United is poised to connect more passengers to their preferred destinations across the Atlantic, reinforcing its role as a key player in the international aviation industry.

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