Luftfahrt: United wettet auf die Europa-Sehnsucht der Amerikaner
US-Touristen reisen so gern nach Europa wie nie zuvor. United Airlines will sie mit einem neuen Airbus-Modell künftig auch direkt an kleinere Orte bringen – und investiert dafür in großem Stil.
United Airlines plans to attract American tourists yearning for European travel experiences. Patrick Quayle, the airline's Chief Destination Planner, revealed that Americans love to party and love to travel. The airline has invested heavily in its Transatlantic network and recently announced the biggest international expansion in its history, focusing on European destinations.
The increase in interest is driven by a post-pandemic recovery, pent-up savings, favorable exchange rates, and social media influence. United is targeting smaller, picturesque cities and places that were previously only popular among Europeans. TikTok has played a significant role in this trend, with travel influencers recommending lesser-known locations to their followers.
The airline aims to inspire travelers to visit real places behind travel trends. United plans to launch new direct flights to cities like Toulouse, Valencia, Ljubljana, and Terceira in the spring of 2026, all from U.S. shores, eliminating the need for layovers. The A321 XLR, a new Airbus aircraft, will make these direct flights possible by accommodating 150 passengers and enabling flights to smaller airports.
United has ordered 50 of these aircraft, which will initially operate on routes from Washington Dulles to Amsterdam and Dublin. However, reaching off-the-beaten-path destinations remains a challenge, as travelers often need to change planes to reach these places. United hopes that its new aircraft model will change this by providing direct flights to smaller airports.
In Germany, United currently operates flights to Munich, Frankfurt, and Berlin. However, Quayle hinted at the possibility of adding more German destinations in the future. The airline's partnership with Lufthansa in the Star Alliance, as well as its joint venture A++, could be affected by the addition of new German destinations.
United will also launch a new direct flight to Luxembourg from its New York hub in Newark starting April 2026.
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