United: Greenland service to resume Saturday after problems at Nuuk airport
United Airlines expects its Greenland flights to resume on Saturday after problems at the territory's main airport led to a handful of flight cancellations across multiple airlines — and stranded dozens of passengers at the Arctic destination.
Nuuk International Airport (GOH) in Greenland's capital city temporarily halted all international flights on Wednesday amid concerns about security personnel training.
News of the disruption prompted United to turn around an aircraft that was headed to Nuuk at the time. That plane landed back at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR), a spokesperson for the Chicago-based carrier said, confirming an earlier report from One Mile at a Time.
United ultimately canceled both that northbound flight and a return flight from Nuuk to Newark that had been scheduled for Wednesday.
The suspended service in Nuuk led other carriers, including Scandinavian Airlines, to shutter midweek flights as well — leaving passengers on the ground in Greenland with few departure options.
United: Flights to resume Saturday
By early Wednesday afternoon, things appeared to be getting back on track.
Greenland Airports announced that international departures would resume on Thursday, with extra security personnel from Danish airports.
United on Wednesday afternoon told TPG that the airline planned to move forward with its scheduled Saturday service to Nuuk.
However, the airline does still have a travel waiver covering its Greenland flights in place, allowing customers to reschedule their trip or rebook to Keflavik Airport (KEF) in Iceland.
Passengers who don't rebook on a different flight can claim a refund instead under the U.S. Department of Transportation's flight refund policy.
Passengers stranded
If United's Saturday departure from EWR to GOH does depart as planned, the carrier will ultimately shutter just one full round trip to Greenland since it operates the route twice each week.
Still, with very few flight options to and from Greenland — and no other regular service between the territory and North America — travelers who had planned to return to the U.S. on Wednesday faced limited options for getting home quickly.
The carrier told TPG it's working with passengers currently in Greenland to assist with rebooking on a case-by-case basis.
At best, that may involve a traveler connecting back to the U.S. via Iceland or Europe.
When United launched service to Nuuk in June, it became the first airline to operate regularly scheduled flights between the U.S. and Greenland since Air Greenland's short-lived route in the late 2000s.
Nuuk opened a brand-new terminal and runway last November, setting the stage for the increase in international commercial air service.
For all the fanfare, part of what makes Greenland such an epic destination — and such an innovative new route — is its remoteness.
Earlier this month, Greenland tourism officials told TPG that the increase in tourism this summer proved to be a "learning process," given the region's limited infrastructure and lodging.
"Of course, there's things we have to learn. But I think it's been promising," Tanny Por, head of international relations at Visit Greenland, told me. "It's the first time we've had any airline come from outside Copenhagen or Iceland, ever, so it's really a big milestone and a big historical moment."
This week's disruptions to United's Greenland service came just days after United announced its nonstop service to Greenland would return for a second summer season in 2026.
Its 2025 Nuuk flights are scheduled to run through late September.
Related reading:
- United MileagePlus: Guide to earning and redeeming miles, elite status and more
- Best United Airlines credit cards
- United Premier status: What it is and how to earn it
- Maximize your airfare: The best credit cards for booking flights
- The best credit cards to reach elite status
- United basic economy: What you need to know about bags, seats, boarding and more
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 3X | Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Delta SkyClub access when flying Delta
- Annual companion ticket for travel on Delta (upon renewal)
- Ability to earn MQDs through spending
- Various statement credits for eligible purchases
Cons
- Steep annual fee of $650
- Other Delta cobranded cards offer superior earning categories
- Earn 100,000 Bonus Miles after you spend $6,000 or more in purchases with your new Card within the first 6 months of Card Membership and an additional 25,000 bonus miles after you make an additional $3,000 in purchases on the Card within your first 6 months, starting from the date that your account is opened. Offer Ends 04/01/2026.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members receive 15 Visits per Medallion® Year to the Delta Sky Club® when flying Delta and can unlock an unlimited number of Visits after spending $75,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year. Plus, you’ll receive four One-Time Guest Passes each Medallion Year so you can share the experience with family and friends when traveling Delta together.
- Enjoy complimentary access to The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. and select international locations (as set forth on the Centurion Lounge Website), Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge in the U.S. (see the Centurion Lounge Website for more information on Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge availability), and Escape Lounges when flying on a Delta flight booked with the Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card. § To access Sidecar by The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 90 minutes of their departing flight (including layovers). To access The Centurion® Lounge, Card Members must arrive within 3 hours of their departing flight. Effective July 8, 2026, during a layover, Card Members must arrive within 5 hours of the connecting flight.
- Receive $2,500 Medallion® Qualification Dollars with MQD Headstart each Medallion Qualification Year and earn $1 MQD for each $10 in purchases on your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card with MQD Boost to get closer to Status next Medallion Year.
- Enjoy a Companion Certificate on a Delta First, Delta Comfort, or Delta Main round-trip flight to select destinations each year after renewal of your Card. The Companion Certificate requires payment of government-imposed taxes and fees of between $22 and $250 (for itineraries with up to four flight segments). Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. Delta Basic experiences are not eligible for this benefit.
- $240 Resy Credit: When you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card for eligible purchases with U.S. Resy restaurants, you can earn up to $20 each month in statement credits. Enrollment required.
- $120 Rideshare Credit: Earn up to $10 back in statement credits each month after you use your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card to pay for U.S. rideshare purchases with select providers. Enrollment required.
- Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card Members get 15% off when using miles to book Award Travel on Delta flights through delta.com and the Fly Delta app. Discount not applicable to partner-operated flights or to taxes and fees.
- With your Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card, receive upgrade priority over others with the same Medallion tier, product and fare experience purchased, and Million Miler milestone when you fly with Delta.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees. Enjoy international travel without additional fees on purchases made abroad.
- $650 Annual Fee.
- Apply with confidence. Know if you're approved for a Card with no impact to your credit score. If you're approved and you choose to accept this Card, your credit score may be impacted.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees