United Airlines to return to 11 cities in Asia, Europe and South America in July
United Airlines will resume flying a quarter of its schedule in July as the carrier builds back its route map from the depths of its coronavirus pandemic cuts.
The Star Alliance carrier will return to 11 long-haul cities in Asia, Europe and South America, United said on May 29. Destinations include Brussels (BRU), Buenos Aires (EZE), Delhi (DEL), Dublin (DUB), Hong Kong (HKG), Lima (LIM), Munich (MUC), Seoul Incheon (ICN), Singapore (SIN), Tokyo Haneda (HND) and Zurich (ZRH).
United will operate a Boeing 787, what is now its long-haul "workhorse," on most of its intercontinental flights. The 787-9 and 787-10 will fly nearly 94% of flights in July, according to Cirium schedules. The latter aircraft are fully outfitted with the airline's latest onboard products, including Polaris business class and Premium Plus premium economy seats.
Get Coronavirus travel updates. Stay on top of industry impacts, flight cancellations, and more.
The route resumptions come as travelers still face a patchwork of country-by-country restrictions, including mandatory quarantines, aimed to slow the spread of COVID-19. Officials expect these limits to slow the return of international travelers for some time, with the International Air Transport Association (IATA) forecasting a three- to four-year recovery in long-haul flying.
"United's always going to be larger internationally than our peers," said United CEO Scott Kirby when asked about how the airline will build back its map at the Bernstein Strategic Decisions conference on May 28.
International flying has been core to United since it acquired Pan Am's Pacific assets in 1986. In 2019, 18% of the airline's passengers flew on international flights -- at least four points more than at either American Airlines or Delta Air Lines -- according to U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics via Cirium.
Related: American, Delta and United plan to fly these long-haul international routes in June
United's international focus hit it hard during the early days of the crisis. The Chicago-based carrier canceled 90% of its schedule in May and June, while its more U.S. domestic-focused competitors, like Southwest Airlines, are able to operate up to half of their schedules.
In addition to the additional long-haul routes, United plans to return to 16 destinations in the Caribbean and Latin America in July. These include key hubs like Panama City (PTY) and beach destinations like Nassau (NAS) and Punta Cana (PUJ).
Below is a list of international routes United plans to resume in July. Some, including Singapore, are subject to government approval.
Related: United Airlines CEO says flying is safe, even without social distancing onboard
Chicago O'Hare
- Tokyo Haneda
Houston Bush Intercontinental
- Belize City (BZE)
- Buenos Aires
- Guatemala City (GUA)
- Liberia, Costa Rica (LIR)
- Lima
- Montego Bay (MBJ)
- Nassau
- Panama City
- Punta Cana
- Queretaro, Mexico (QRO)
- Quito, Ecuador (UIO)
- San Luis Potosi, Mexico (SLP)
- San Pedro Sula, Honduras (SAP)
- San Salvador, El Salvador (SAL)
Newark Liberty
- Aruba (AUA)
- Delhi
- Dublin
- Montego Bay
- Nassau
- Punta Cana
- Santiago, Dominican Republic (STI)
- Santo Domingo (SDQ)
San Francisco
- Delhi
- Hong Kong
- Seoul Incheon
- Singapore via a stop in Hong Kong
- Tel Aviv
Washington Dulles
- Brussels
- London Heathrow (LHR)
- Munich
- Zurich
TPG featured card
at American Express's secure site
Terms & restrictions apply. See rates & fees.
| 4X | 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. |
| 4X | 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. |
| 5X | New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Pros
- Valuable dining and food-related credits
- Flexible rewards with airline and hotel transfer partners
- Multiple travel and purchase protections
- No foreign transaction fees
- Access to Amex Offers for additional savings (enrollment required)
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 $8,000 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.
- New! Earn 5X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid hotel stays booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points on flights booked through AmexTravel.com, the Amex Travel App, or purchased directly from airlines.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points on prepaid car rentals booked through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App and cruises booked and paid through AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- Pay It® lets you tap in the American Express® App to quickly pay for small purchase amounts throughout the month and still earn rewards the way you usually do. Plan It® gives you the option to split up big purchases into equal monthly payments with a fixed fee. You’ll know upfront exactly how much you’ll pay.
- Updated! $120 Dining Credit: Earn up to a total of $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the Gold Card at Grubhub (including Seamless), Buffalo Wild Wings, Five Guys, The Cheesecake Factory, and Wonder. This can be an annual savings of up to $120. Enrollment required.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year at over 10,000 qualifying U.S. Resy restaurants after you pay for eligible purchases with the American Express® Gold Card. That’s up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: Earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin’ locations. Enrollment required.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Enjoy up to $120 in Uber Cash annually with your Gold Card. Just add your Card to your Uber account and you'll get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an Amex Card for your transaction.
- New! As an American Express® Gold Card Member, you can enjoy complimentary Hertz Five Star® Status. Enjoy benefits like skipping the counter at select locations, adding an additional driver at no additional cost*, and vehicle upgrades**. Benefit enrollment and Hertz Gold+ registration are required. *Additional drivers must meet standard rental qualifications and must be a spouse or domestic partner to qualify as complimentary. Other additional drivers subject to fees. **Benefits are subject to availability and vary by location. Additional Hertz program Terms and Conditions including age restrictions apply.
- Take advantage of a $100 credit towards eligible charges* at over 1,300 upscale hotels worldwide when you book The Hotel Collection through AmexTravel.com or the Amex Travel App **. *Eligible charges vary by property. **The Hotel Collection requires a two-night minimum stay.
- Book your travel through the Amex Travel App with added peace of mind – backed by American Express® service and support. Only for American Express® Card Members.
- Whenever you need us, we're here. Our Member Services team will ensure you are taken care of. From lost Card replacement to statement questions, we are available to help 24/7.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.