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United Launching 5 New Flights To European Destinations

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The time has arrived!

Spring Break shenanigans are over, Memorial Day festivities are just weeks away, so you know what that means…

Summertime!

Our well-earned PTO is piled up and ready to be cashed in for an epic trip abroad.

We all know Europe is never a bad decision, but the question always remains: where should I go?

Black sand beaches of Reynisfjara in Iceland

United Airlines is making that decision much easier for the indecisive ones (like me!), who need a boost to narrow down their options and go for it.

From Iceland to Italy and numerous stunning locales in between, here are 5 destinations to jet off to as United preps to launch 5 new routes for a late spring fling or kickstart to summer.

PLUS: We've put together an interactive quiz for you at the end of this article to find which one is your perfect match!

Split Your Time In The Med 🇭🇷

Cityscape of Split, Croatia waterfront and Old Town

Don't be denied boarding. Check the latest entry requirements for your destination before your trip.

This one’s a first — a groundbreaking flight is set to whisk Americans away to one of Croatia’s top beach destinations for travelers hoping not to feel walled in by Dubrovnik’s summer crowds.

Split, located on the Dalmatian Coast, is anything but spotty.

In fact, it’s one of Croatia’s liveliest and most vibrant coastal cities, blending sun-soaked beaches, Roman ruins, island-hopping excursions, and a postcard-worthy Old Town that feels every bit as magnetic as Dubrovnik — just without quite as many elbows in your ribs.

There's no doubt it's popular, but a bit harder to reach — until now.

Aerial view of Split, Croatia's vibrant shores and red-tiled cityscape

United is set to launch its inaugural flight on April 30, 2026, from Newark (EWR), but hey, at least you can start the trip strong and feel safe doing so!

Based on real-time votes on our Traveler Safety Index, safety in Split is currently ranked at a 93/100:

Bari: Discover A Cheap Coastal City On The Rise 🇮🇹

Rome, Venice, Florence, and the Amalfi Coast. Heck, throw in Naples while we're at it…

One name you don't find often in travelers' jaunts is Bari, a cheap whitewashed port city with astounding views of the turquoise Adriatic.

But it's not just the insanely gorgeous seaside panorama that will capture you — it's one of the most sightly Old Town districts in the country.

Turquoise waters backdropped by Bari, Italy cityscape

Factor in cheap prices across the board, that means you can double up on cappuccinos to start your day, capped off by pizza and wine by night.

Again, travelers will start their adventure in Newark (EWR) and fly nonstop to Bari's Karol Wojtyła Airport (BRI) beginning May 1, 2026.

Travelers currently rank safety in Italy at a 91/100, so you can enjoy your trip worry-free:

Glasgow: Ditch The Winter Willies For A Scottish Summer 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Whether it's England, Wales or Scotland, the UK is a phenomenal summer destination as the doom ‘n gloom vibes subside opening up sunny skies for more enjoyable explorations across the entire country.

Rainbow over historic building in Glasgow

Of course, Scotland is one of the most timeless nations of all, with gorgeous cities like Edinburgh, Sterling, and of course Glasgow, which is arguably the most modern of them all, but still feels unmistakably European.

Travelers can now fly direct from — you guessed it — Newark.

We won't tell how, when, or what to eat, but we will say that a pub crawl here, whether on your own or a tour, is an absolute must, as is checking out staggering castles across the region.

United is set to launch the only nonstop to Glasgow from EWR with daily service starting May 8, 2026.

Travelers currently rank safety in the UK at an 89/100:

Santiago de Compostela: Spain's Unsung Cultural City 🇪🇸

Casa do Cabildo house in Praterias square in old town Santiago de Compostela, Spain

If you're craving a Spanish vacation but don't want to deal with the “Karens” of Barcelona, Madrid, and numerous island paradises, Santiago de Compostela is just the place for endless tapas, old stone streetscapes, and long wine-induced nights.

This cheap medieval city is one of the country's last remaining hidden gems in terms of a major city.

Barcelona can set you back triple digits each day, while this treasure trove of Old World charm doesn't need a beach to wow you, nor sticker shock to prove it's a worthwhile destination.

Here, the centuries-old architecture does the talking.

It's the Spain you didn't know you craved — a far cry from tourist-overland megacities.

Woman sitting on Obradoiro Square in Santiago de Compostela, Spain

You can fly direct to Santiago de Compostela with 3 weekly flights from Newark (shocking at this point) beginning May 27, 2026.

Travelers currently rank safety in Spain at a 96/100:

Reykjavik: Europe's Most Otherworldly Island

Despite its mainstream popularity in recent years, I'm not ashamed to say Iceland is my favorite country out of all 40+ countries I've traversed.

To be honest, I'm afraid to go back because I visited twice before it revoked its hidden gem status, but there's no changing its Interstellar landscapes and the world-famous Blue Lagoon.

We're not here to sugarcoat Iceland — it's not hard to visit since its flagship Icelandair flies from numerous U.S. cities.

Remarkable view of Vikurkirkja church in Vik, Iceland

But what keeps travelers coming back isn’t convenience; it’s the chance to experience a place that feels like another planet, where black-sand shores, steaming geothermal pools, and lava-scarred terrain make even the dreariest weather feel cinematic in such places as Vik and Mývatn.

Whether you're a Lord of the Rings fanatic or not, it always feels as if Bilbo Baggins will make an appearance to the point you don't care what you're spending since you're in such a unique destination.

But guess what — this new route is not from Newark.

What makes this new flight special is not its location but the fact that it's the ‘only service on this capital-to-capital route with lie-flat business class seats'.

Tourists visiting Iceland's Skogafoss waterfall

Travelers can fly from Washington D.C. (IAD) to Reykjavik (KEF) starting May 21, 2026.

Travelers currently rank safety in Reykjavik at a 95/100:


Now take this quiz to find your perfect match!

✈️

United Summer 2026

Find Your Perfect Route
Question 1 of 3

What's your ideal summer scenery?

Question 2 of 3

What is your budget priority?

Final Question

Which travel “extra” do you value most?

🇭🇷

Split, Croatia

The Adriatic Coastal Gem

Launch: April 30, 2026 from Newark (EWR).

Why: A vibrant alternative to Dubrovnik with Roman ruins and sun-soaked beaches.
🇮🇹

Bari, Italy

The Affordable Port City

Launch: May 1, 2026 from Newark (EWR).

Why: A cheap, whitewashed port city with astounding Adriatic views and an incredible Old Town.
🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

Glasgow, Scotland

Modern Scottish Soul

Launch: May 8, 2026 from Newark (EWR).

Why: Timeless yet modern. Daily service makes it easy to explore staggering castles and legendary pubs.
🇪🇸

Santiago de Compostela

Spain's Medieval Treasure

Launch: May 27, 2026 from Newark (EWR).

Why: A cheap medieval city for endless tapas and stone streetscapes without the Barcelona crowds.
🇮🇸

Reykjavik, Iceland

The Otherworldly Escape

Launch: May 21, 2026 from Washington D.C. (IAD).

Why: Interstellar landscapes and Blue Lagoon vibes with the only lie-flat business class service on the route.