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United Adding Exciting New International Flights From Chicago, Denver, Newark and SFO

Aug. 22, 2019
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4 min read
United 767-300 High-J Polaris Review ZH
United Adding Exciting New International Flights From Chicago, Denver, Newark and SFO
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United is continuing its new-routes push with a handful of very exciting international flights. They new services will launch during the next few months from Chicago O'Hare (ORD), Denver (DEN), Newark (EWR) and San Francisco (SFO). Newark gets the most love with a total of five new flights, followed by Chicago, Denver and San Francisco, which each get one new long-haul flight.

The airline posted a teaser on various social media platforms yesterday, though despite the "clues," I was a bit stumped when it comes to destinations. Well, now we know — and if you ask me, some of these new flights were worth the hype.

Image courtesy of Great Circle Mapper.

Here's how it breaks down, starting with Newark:

  • Curacao (CUR) — Saturday 737-700 seasonal service beginning Dec. 7
  • Nice (NCE) — daily 767-300ER (high-J) seasonal service beginning May 2 (ahead of the Cannes Film Festival)
  • Palermo (PMO) — daily 767-300ER seasonal service beginning May 20
  • Amsterdam (AMS) — second daily 767-300ER seasonal flight beginning March 28
  • Frankfurt (FRA) — second daily 767-300ER (high-J) year-round service beginning March 28

Of note, CUR will become United's 21st island destination in the Caribbean. Additionally, while La Compagnie already serves Newark-Nice, UA will be the only US carrier operating on that route (joining Delta's long-standing seasonal service from New York-JFK). United also will be the only carrier offering nonstop service between the US and Sicily.

Related: 16 Rows of Biz: Reviewing Polaris on United’s ‘High-J’ 767-300ER

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From Chicago, we have:

Denver will be getting:

  • London (LHR) — seasonal 787-8 Dreamliner service goes year-round beginning Nov. 1

And, finally, San Francisco will offer:

  • New Delhi (DEL) — daily 787-9 Dreamliner year-round service beginning March 2020 (seasonal service begins Dec. 5)

What's perhaps most remarkable is that these new flights won't come at the expense of reduced service elsewhere in United's network — the carrier is adding a total of 22 new wide-body planes over the next 18 months. So while some other flights could be moved to a different aircraft type, United plans to continue flying its existing international network as scheduled. UA also confirmed that it will continue to serve existing seasonal destinations in 2020, such as Athens (ATH), Naples (NAP), Porto (OPO) and Barcelona (BCN).

The Polaris cabin on a United high-J 767. Photo by Zach Honig / The Points Guy.

It's also worth noting that three of these new flights will be operated by United's new "high-J" 767-300ER, with 46 true Polaris seats in business class, arranged in a 1-1-1 configuration and spread across 16 rows. This aircraft also offers a 22-seat Premium Plus cabin, with a 2-2-2 configuration, plus 47 Economy Plus seats and 52 seats in coach, all arranged in 2-3-2. United has a total of 21 high-J planes on the way.

While one flight each shouldn't have too much of an impact on the passenger flows in Chicago, Denver and SFO, the addition of four daily long-haul flights could contribute to overcrowding at United's Newark Polaris Lounge, which can already get pretty crowded ahead of the evening Europe rush. Perhaps it's time to consider an expansion there as well.

Related: Bye, Bye Continental: United Officially Drops Continental Name

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  • Intro Offer

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  • Annual Fee

    $325

  • Recommended Credit

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Why We Chose It

There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)

Pros

  • 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
  • 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
  • Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
  • Solid welcome bonus

Cons

  • Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
  • Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
  • You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
  • Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
  • Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
  • $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
  • $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
  • $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
  • $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
  • Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
  • No Foreign Transaction Fees.
  • Annual Fee is $325.
  • Terms Apply.