United will continue to strengthen connectivity between Spain and the United States by offering the most destinations of any U.S. airline as part of its transatlantic expansion. By the 2023 summer season, United will be the second largest U.S. carrier in Spain, behind only American Airlines.
This year the Chicago-based company inaugurated two new Spanish destinations from Newark (EWR): due to their success and popularity they will be available again during next summer. In addition, during the peak season the company will increase capacity on several routes with the introduction of Boeing 777-200ERs.
According to data obtained by Aviacionline through Cirium, United will have a capacity of 19,760 seats per week between the U.S. and Spain for the northern summer of 2023, a 21.4% increase over the previous season’s offering.
Increased presence of point-to-point routes
The Chicago-based airline, unlike other carriers that concentrate much of their operations to major Spanish cities, will focus its network on leisure-oriented destinations, offering its customers more travel options for their vacations.
This summer the company inaugurated new services from Newark (EWR) to Tenerife – South (TFS) and Palma de Mallorca (PMI), the latter being the most profitable route for United in Spain, according to several media outlets in the Balearic Islands. The company is also preparing another new Spanish destination from its main transatlantic hub to Malaga (AGP), where it will be the only North American carrier with a non-stop connection on the Costa del Sol.
See also: United Airlines inaugurates flights to Palma de Mallorca
All of United’s secondary services in Spain are operated during the peak summer season. In addition, the airline will be the second carrier to offer transatlantic service to Malaga (AGP).
Newark (EWR) – Malaga (AGP)
Starts May 31, 2023.
- Flight UA 350 EWR 20:30 – AGP 10:10+1 Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
- Flight UA 351 AGP 11:55 – EWR 14:30 Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
The route will be operated on Boeing 757-200 aircraft with 169 seats in three classes (16 Business Class/45 Premium Economy/108 Economy) and promotional fares are available from USD 1,000 round trip.
More flights to Catalonia
Barcelona (BCN) is United’s largest capacity destination in Spain, and during peak season the airline employs larger aircraft to meet strong demand. Currently, the airline offers services from Newark (EWR) and Washington – Dulles (IAD) to the Catalan capital, and to further strengthen its offer it is adding a new route from Chicago (ORD).
Prior to the pandemic Norwegian and American offered non-stop flights between Barcelona (BCN) and O’Hare International Airport (ORD). By next summer, with the arrival of United and the Dallas-based company’s service, two airlines will once again operate in this segment, recovering much of the pre-pandemic capacity offer.
Chicago O’Hare (ORD) – Barcelona (BCN)
Starts on May 25, 2023.
- Flight UA 769 ORD 21:25 – BCN 12:50+1 daily flights.
- Flight UA 770 BCN 14:50 – ORD 17:50 daily flights.
The route will be operated on Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft with a capacity of 243 seats in four classes (28 Polaris Business Class/21 Premium Economy/36 Economy Plus/158 Economy) and promotional fares are available from USD 1,300 round trip.
No changes in Madrid
In the Spanish capital, United will continue to operate daily flights from Newark (EWR) and Washington – Dulles (IAD), the latter is a seasonal service, for the time being both routes will be operated on Boeing 767-400ER aircraft. The company expects to renew the cabin of this model for next summer with the new Polaris and Premium Economy products.
Spain a growth market
According to data compiled by Aviacionline through Aena Estadísticas, United moved 376,779 passengers and 7,911.9 tons of cargo between the United States and Spain in the January-September period this year. The airline is expected to return to pre-pandemic levels by the end of 2022, this market has been one of the fastest recovering in the airline’s transatlantic network.
The Asia-Pacific region continues to have some travel restrictions, this has forced the company to deploy much of its capacity to the transatlantic market changing part of its business strategy by serving more leisure destinations and adding new services at non-Star Alliance partner airports.
United’s schedule in Spain for summer 2023.
(Sourced through Cirium, subject to change).
Newark (EWR)
- Madrid (MAD): daily Boeing 767-400ER flights.
- Barcelona (BCN): daily flights on Boeing 767-400ER and 777-200ER.
- Tenerife – South (TFS): three flights a week in Boeing 757-200.
- Palma de Mallorca (PMI): three flights a week in Boeing 767-300ER.
- Malaga (AGP): three flights a week on Boeing 757-200.
Washington – Dulles (IAD)
- Madrid (MAD): daily flights on Boeing 767-400ER.
- Barcelona (BCN): daily flights on Boeing 767-400ER and 777-200ER.
Chicago O’ Hare (ORD)
- Barcelona (BCN): daily flights on Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner.
The United States is one of the most important Intercontinental markets in Spain: during this 2022 2,974,078 passengers and 74,984.4 tons of cargo have been moved between both nations according to data compiled by Aena Estadísticas. United has a 7.9% share of this segment and competes with Iberia, American Airlines, Delta, Air Europa and World2fly.
