United opens new summer seasonal routes from EWR to OPO, KEF and ZRH as well as route extensions

shaq · Tue Sep 12, 2017 1:08 pm

http://newsroom.united.com/2017-09-12-U ... ik-Iceland

EWR-OPO
EWR-KEF
SFO-ZRH
And the extension of ORD-DUB and IAD-EDI

FLYKTPA · Tue Sep 12, 2017 1:10 pm

United can't let Icelandair and WOW have all the fun at KEF :lol:

panam330 · Tue Sep 12, 2017 1:20 pm

Excellent news. Nice bit of growth for UA!

United787 · Tue Sep 12, 2017 1:29 pm

OPO is great news, love Porto! I flew there a few years ago on UA/LH/TP but was routed ORD-DUS-LIS-OPO... would be nice to do ORD-EWR-OPO!

jetsetter629 · Tue Sep 12, 2017 1:33 pm

Wow - OPO is amazing! Literally just returned yesterday from Portugal and flew EWR-OPO & LIS-EWR on TP. Perfect 757 route...

FSDan · Tue Sep 12, 2017 1:50 pm

Aircraft are as follows:

SFO-ZRH - 787-8
IAD-EDI - 757-200
EWR-KEF - 757-200
EWR-OPO - 757-200

Cool adds! Also mentioned in the press release, SFO-MUC, ORD-DUB, ORD-EDI, and IAD-LIS will start in April/May and run through late October, essentially operating for half the year now.

mikegigs · Tue Sep 12, 2017 1:58 pm

FSDan wrote:
Aircraft are as follows:

SFO-ZRH - 787-8
IAD-EDI - 757-200
EWR-KEF - 757-200
EWR-OPO - 757-200

Cool adds! Also mentioned in the press release, SFO-MUC, ORD-DUB, ORD-EDI, and IAD-LIS will start in April/May and run through late October, essentially operating for half the year now.

I was first curious as to what aircraft would be used on SFO-ZRH. I expected a 763 but the 787 is a great surprise! I wonder if any of the shorter transatlantic routes with upgauge to a 767 after they start. Hopefully!

nighthawk · Tue Sep 12, 2017 2:00 pm

shaq wrote:
And the extension of ORD-DUB and IAD-EDI

IAD-EDI is a new route. They currently fly to Newark and Chicago from Edinburgh.

jayunited · Tue Sep 12, 2017 2:03 pm

shaq wrote:
http://newsroom.united.com/2017-09-12-United-Airlines-Offers-Customers-More-Ways-to-Get-to-Europe-Next-Summer-Including-New-Service-to-Porto-Portugal-and-Reykjavik-Iceland

EWR-OPO
EWR-KEF
SFO-ZRH
And the extension of ORD-DUB and IAD-EDI

I'm not surprised to see the addition of EWR-KEF, the popularity of Iceland as a destination for American tourists is growing. Over the past 2 years I've met so many people who've visited Iceland most if not all of them flew on either Iceland Air or WOW and most if not all of them said they can't wait to go back. So adding Iceland as a seasonal destination during the summer season seems like a no brainer. Also it is good to see UA expanding the seasonal season for SFO-MUC, ORD DUB, ORD-EDI and IAD-LIS to October 26, 2018, I think may people expected this to happen. I'm hoping that in addition to the expanded season UA will upguage ORD-DUB to a 2 class 767.

What I didn't expect was SFO-ZRH, I was hoping for ORD-ZRH but it is still good to see UA growing.

ual763 · Tue Sep 12, 2017 2:14 pm

Now they just need to go back to Oslo, preferably from ORD, before DY beats them to it.

klwright69 · Tue Sep 12, 2017 2:16 pm

All greats adds.
Nice to see UA in Iceland.
I suppose the current seasonal flights will return: VCE, HAM, ARN, ATH, SFO-MUC, etc.

8herveg · Tue Sep 12, 2017 2:39 pm

How can UA make (hopefully!) IAD-EDI work but not IAD-MAN, which I thought would be a bigger market? Especially as UA already flies from both EWR and ORD to EDI, whereas they only fly from EWR to MAN...

UAL777UK · Tue Sep 12, 2017 2:49 pm

Wow....exciting times with route announcements coming out of UA with a few being left field.

stlgph · Tue Sep 12, 2017 2:56 pm

Nice to see United finally starting to wake up.

as739x · Tue Sep 12, 2017 3:01 pm

"was first curious as to what aircraft would be used on SFO-ZRH. I expected a 763 but the 787 is a great surprise! I wonder if any of the shorter transatlantic routes with upgauge to a 767 after they start. Hopefully!"

No more 767's at SFO. Other then an occasional a/c sub or diversion they are out of the SFO rotation, at least when I left SFO

SFO-ZRH is a shocker. Is Swiss not doing 2 daily during the summer? If so that could be up to 3 flights on some day?

jbs2886 · Tue Sep 12, 2017 3:04 pm

as739x wrote:
"was first curious as to what aircraft would be used on SFO-ZRH. I expected a 763 but the 787 is a great surprise! I wonder if any of the shorter transatlantic routes with upgauge to a 767 after they start. Hopefully!"

No more 767's at SFO. Other then an occasional a/c sub or diversion they are out of the SFO rotation, at least when I left SFO

SFO-ZRH is a shocker. Is Swiss not doing 2 daily during the summer? If so that could be up to 3 flights on some day?

Was hoping for more ORD. The "fun" international expansion has been largely focused at SFO/LAX and now IAH. EWR gets some interesting ones now. Fortunately ORD has some 767s and the new configuration is nice!

DobboDobbo · Tue Sep 12, 2017 3:05 pm

8herveg wrote:
How can UA make (hopefully!) IAD-EDI work but not IAD-MAN, which I thought would be a bigger market? Especially as UA already flies from both EWR and ORD to EDI, whereas they only fly from EWR to MAN...

Most likely because of the range of competing options ex MAN.

There are also arguments that as a capital city, tourist hub and financial centre EDI is more likely to support: (a) premium traffic; and (b) inbound traffic from the USA.

I don't know how strong these arguments are, but that is the likely perception.

VC10er · Tue Sep 12, 2017 3:09 pm

Wow, United is on hyper-drive! I hope this comes back as good karma for them. At least signs of real mojo from team United! Congratulations.

as739x · Tue Sep 12, 2017 3:16 pm

jbs2886 wrote:
as739x wrote:
"was first curious as to what aircraft would be used on SFO-ZRH. I expected a 763 but the 787 is a great surprise! I wonder if any of the shorter transatlantic routes with upgauge to a 767 after they start. Hopefully!"

No more 767's at SFO. Other then an occasional a/c sub or diversion they are out of the SFO rotation, at least when I left SFO

SFO-ZRH is a shocker. Is Swiss not doing 2 daily during the summer? If so that could be up to 3 flights on some day?

Was hoping for more ORD. The "fun" international expansion has been largely focused at SFO/LAX and now IAH. EWR gets some interesting ones now. Fortunately ORD has some 767s and the new configuration is nice!

Well if anything goes against SFO, its the lack of gate space. They sure seem to squeeze the living life out of the gates there. My guess will be ZRH will operate late afternoon/early evening for this reason.

Speaking with a CS agent back a few, they did always seem jealous that ORD doesn't get much love, route, 787's, etc. But it will come. I did see a 787 there the other day when I was taxiing out. They are also getting the 77Ws

MSPNWA · Tue Sep 12, 2017 3:20 pm

UA is going gangbusters internationally. Hope they stick. EWR-KEF was overdue to me. The other two are surprising. With SFO-ZRH, I wonder what LX's schedule will be - if this is an addition or a replacement.

jasoncrh · Tue Sep 12, 2017 3:31 pm

they've announced the times for SFOZRH in the press release above.

SFO ZRH leaves at 2:10PM.

ZRH SFO arrives back to SFO at 12:40PM

as739x wrote:
jbs2886 wrote:
as739x wrote:
"was first curious as to what aircraft would be used on SFO-ZRH. I expected a 763 but the 787 is a great surprise! I wonder if any of the shorter transatlantic routes with upgauge to a 767 after they start. Hopefully!"

No more 767's at SFO. Other then an occasional a/c sub or diversion they are out of the SFO rotation, at least when I left SFO

SFO-ZRH is a shocker. Is Swiss not doing 2 daily during the summer? If so that could be up to 3 flights on some day?

Was hoping for more ORD. The "fun" international expansion has been largely focused at SFO/LAX and now IAH. EWR gets some interesting ones now. Fortunately ORD has some 767s and the new configuration is nice!

Well if anything goes against SFO, its the lack of gate space. They sure seem to squeeze the living life out of the gates there. My guess will be ZRH will operate late afternoon/early evening for this reason.

Speaking with a CS agent back a few, they did always seem jealous that ORD doesn't get much love, route, 787's, etc. But it will come. I did see a 787 there the other day when I was taxiing out. They are also getting the 77Ws

klwright69 · Tue Sep 12, 2017 3:46 pm

KEF is a fun destination. But they can't make OSL work? Hmm.

commavia · Tue Sep 12, 2017 3:48 pm

Very cool. Reinforcing yet again what an exceptionally powerful and impressive hub EWR continues to be - just like SFO on the other coast.

SCQ83 · Tue Sep 12, 2017 3:54 pm

KEF will never stop surprising. I wonder if AA would ever launch KEF. Now it is the missing one. And DL ATL-KEF.

GolfBravoRomeo · Tue Sep 12, 2017 4:01 pm

klwright69 wrote:
I suppose the current seasonal flights will return: VCE, HAM, ARN, ATH, SFO-MUC, etc.

HAM? Seasonal from where? I thought EWR-HAM was year round or has that changed?

SFOA380 · Tue Sep 12, 2017 4:10 pm

as739x wrote:
"was first curious as to what aircraft would be used on SFO-ZRH. I expected a 763 but the 787 is a great surprise! I wonder if any of the shorter transatlantic routes with upgauge to a 767 after they start. Hopefully!"

No more 767's at SFO. Other then an occasional a/c sub or diversion they are out of the SFO rotation, at least when I left SFO

SFO-ZRH is a shocker. Is Swiss not doing 2 daily during the summer? If so that could be up to 3 flights on some day?

LX operated the second flight 6/weekly for two months only. It did not return in the summer of 2017 presumably because of the upgauge to 77W. The seasonal UA flight will not affect LX schedule.

codc10 · Tue Sep 12, 2017 4:31 pm

jbs2886 wrote:
as739x wrote:
"was first curious as to what aircraft would be used on SFO-ZRH. I expected a 763 but the 787 is a great surprise! I wonder if any of the shorter transatlantic routes with upgauge to a 767 after they start. Hopefully!"

No more 767's at SFO. Other then an occasional a/c sub or diversion they are out of the SFO rotation, at least when I left SFO

SFO-ZRH is a shocker. Is Swiss not doing 2 daily during the summer? If so that could be up to 3 flights on some day?

Was hoping for more ORD. The "fun" international expansion has been largely focused at SFO/LAX and now IAH. EWR gets some interesting ones now. Fortunately ORD has some 767s and the new configuration is nice!

UA has a gate space issue at ORD as well. T5 is pretty well maxed out during desirable hours for TATL arrivals.

SFOA380 wrote:

LX operated the second flight 6/weekly for two months only. It did not return in the summer of 2017 presumably because of the upgauge to 77W. The seasonal UA flight will not affect LX schedule.

UA's SFO-ZRH is the new seasonal 2nd frequency, as UA/LX have ATI and participate in the A++ JV. The two are metal-neutral on the route and the UA schedule is quite complementary to the existing LX flight.

stlgph · Tue Sep 12, 2017 5:35 pm

There's soon to be a space around 11:45 a.m.

lesfalls · Tue Sep 12, 2017 5:58 pm

I'm surprised about EWR-OPO. Is the market really big enough for both the likes of UA and TP?

jbs2886 · Tue Sep 12, 2017 6:01 pm

[*]

stlgph wrote:
There's soon to be a space around 11:45 a.m.

?

ual763 · Tue Sep 12, 2017 6:04 pm

jbs2886 wrote:
[*]
stlgph wrote:
There's soon to be a space around 11:45 a.m.

?

Air Berlin

pabloeing · Tue Sep 12, 2017 6:08 pm

lesfalls wrote:
I'm surprised about EWR-OPO. Is the market really big enough for both the likes of UA and TP?

Is a big market.....OPO is the economic capital of Portugal and a big part of Spain take the flights there ( Vigo-La Coruna-Santiago,etc.,....).....(3-4 million of people in this economic area)
And New Jersey have a big portuguese emigration point.

Rdh3e · Tue Sep 12, 2017 6:30 pm

DobboDobbo wrote:
8herveg wrote:
How can UA make (hopefully!) IAD-EDI work but not IAD-MAN, which I thought would be a bigger market? Especially as UA already flies from both EWR and ORD to EDI, whereas they only fly from EWR to MAN...

Most likely because of the range of competing options ex MAN.

There are also arguments that as a capital city, tourist hub and financial centre EDI is more likely to support: (a) premium traffic; and (b) inbound traffic from the USA.

I don't know how strong these arguments are, but that is the likely perception.

Anecdotally, no one has ever expressed interest to me in going to MAN for tourism (not even fellow airline employees). However, people fall all over themselves talking about EDI and how they want to go. People view EDI more similarly to SNN or DUB it seems.

stlgph · Tue Sep 12, 2017 6:37 pm

And Edinburgh can thank Harry Potter.

LondonCity · Tue Sep 12, 2017 6:42 pm

Seems UA is scrapping one of its EDI-EWR services in 2018. Competition from Norwegian ?

http://www.scotsman.com/news/transport/ ... -1-4558048

patineta89 · Tue Sep 12, 2017 6:51 pm

pabloeing wrote:
lesfalls wrote:
I'm surprised about EWR-OPO. Is the market really big enough for both the likes of UA and TP?

Is a big market.....OPO is the economic capital of Portugal and a big part of Spain take the flights there ( Vigo-La Coruna-Santiago,etc.,....).....(3-4 million of people in this economic area)
And New Jersey have a big portuguese emigration point.

Correct for the second half. A lot of northern Spain (mainly Galicia region) flyers chose to use OPO for their international flights instead of flying MAD.

As for Porto being the economic capital of Portugal, economic results show it's not.
Lisbon region currently represents close to 40% of the total national GDP. It produces 15 billion euros more each year than the whole northern half of the country together according to the latest National Statistics Institute of Portugal.

Way to go United. Finally growing...

NichCage · Tue Sep 12, 2017 6:56 pm

KEF is quite an unique add, what aircraft will it get?

Otherwise, ORD-Dublin seems to be performing really well, despite two other airlines on the route (AA and EI).

SFO-Zurich is a shocker, but still a nice addition to the LX service on the route.

CONTACREW · Tue Sep 12, 2017 7:21 pm

NichCage wrote:
KEF is quite an unique add, what aircraft will it get?

Otherwise, ORD-Dublin seems to be performing really well, despite two other airlines on the route (AA and EI).

SFO-Zurich is a shocker, but still a nice addition to the LX service on the route.

KEF will get a 16J/153Y 752.

nc3rd · Tue Sep 12, 2017 7:53 pm

Just remember with all the excitement, unless they are growing their overall fleet size or somehow increasing utilization, this "growth" comes at the loss of something else. New routes always get big headlines whereas reductions drift quietly away.

CapitalAvGeek · Tue Sep 12, 2017 7:56 pm

According to United's website the SFO-ZRH flight will get in at 10:10AM but is scheduled to depart for SFO before than at 9:50AM. Currently no other United flight to ZRH are on the 787. Maybe IAD-ZRH will go from 767 to 787 since IAD will become a 787 base in late October. It's possible that UA would keep the plane on the ground in ZRH for 24 hours, but I think that is highly unlikely.

United1 · Tue Sep 12, 2017 8:17 pm

nc3rd wrote:
Just remember with all the excitement, unless they are growing their overall fleet size or somehow increasing utilization, this "growth" comes at the loss of something else. New routes always get big headlines whereas reductions drift quietly away.

Most of these routes are flown by 752s which have quite a lot of slack in the fleet. Besides that UA is growing its fleet and is growing overall this year (and more than likely next as well.)

448205 · Tue Sep 12, 2017 8:25 pm

Could KEF see the 737? UA has ETOPs on the 73 correct?

CONTACREW · Tue Sep 12, 2017 8:26 pm

Varsity1 wrote:
Could KEF see the 737? UA has ETOPs on the 73 correct?

Nope KEF is an international route so smallest aircraft it would see is the 75B and yes the 737s are ETOPS.

448205 · Tue Sep 12, 2017 8:27 pm

nc3rd wrote:
Just remember with all the excitement, unless they are growing their overall fleet size or somehow increasing utilization, this "growth" comes at the loss of something else. New routes always get big headlines whereas reductions drift quietly away.

UA is still working on ExUA and ExCON consolidation. Hopefully Kirby can get it cleaned up and running great.

CONTACREW · Tue Sep 12, 2017 8:29 pm

Varsity1 wrote:
nc3rd wrote:
Just remember with all the excitement, unless they are growing their overall fleet size or somehow increasing utilization, this "growth" comes at the loss of something else. New routes always get big headlines whereas reductions drift quietly away.

UA is still working on ExUA and ExCON consolidation. Hopefully Kirby can get it cleaned up and running great.

October 2018 is when we (FAs) become one and the merger is officially complete.

CONTACREW · Tue Sep 12, 2017 8:30 pm

CapitalAvGeek wrote:
According to United's website the SFO-ZRH flight will get in at 10:10AM but is scheduled to depart for SFO before than at 9:50AM. Currently no other United flight to ZRH are on the 787. Maybe IAD-ZRH will go from 767 to 787 since IAD will become a 787 base in late October. It's possible that UA would keep the plane on the ground in ZRH for 24 hours, but I think that is highly unlikely.

Yes IAD-ZRH will see a 787.

deltal1011man · Tue Sep 12, 2017 9:02 pm

Nice additions.

I remember when Delta use to add stuff that wasn't to a AMS or CDG. Sigh, very jealous.

DLHAM · Tue Sep 12, 2017 9:08 pm

GolfBravoRomeo wrote:
klwright69 wrote:
I suppose the current seasonal flights will return: VCE, HAM, ARN, ATH, SFO-MUC, etc.

HAM? Seasonal from where? I thought EWR-HAM was year round or has that changed?

Unfortunately they reduced the flight to seasonal from last winter.

The flight is already loaded for 2018, from May 4. Unfortunately only from early May to early October. The flight loads used to be good from the middle of March already into late October.
But I also dont unterstand why they cancel 4 flights a week during Winter instead of flying 3/7. They will also fly the EWR-FCO route 3/7 in winter now.

panamair · Tue Sep 12, 2017 9:30 pm

deltal1011man wrote:
Nice additions.

I remember when Delta use to add stuff that wasn't to a AMS or CDG. Sigh, very jealous.

Huh?...Delta just added TXL, LIS and GLA this past summer!

continental004 · Tue Sep 12, 2017 9:46 pm

lesfalls wrote:
I'm surprised about EWR-OPO. Is the market really big enough for both the likes of UA and TP?

Portugal is the next big thing in European tourism!

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