New Route of the Day – Americas (16 May 2025): United between New York EWR and Faro

United commenced operations to its fifth city in Portugal by inaugurating flights between New York EWR and Faro on Friday 16 May. The seasonal 5,625-kilometre route will be maintained 4-weekly, departing New York EWR on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays, with the 757-200 aircraft. The Star Alliance member faces no competition between the two cities.

Flight UA281 departs New York EWR at 21:35 local time, arriving in Faro at 09:50 local time the following morning. The return service, operating as flight UA282, takes off from Gago Coutinho Airport at 11:40 local time on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, touching back down in the US at 15:00 local time.

What they said

Guido Araújo, Spokesperson for Europe at United, said: “It is with great joy that we are here inaugurating this flight which just arrived. This route is part of a very deliberate and sustainable expansion strategy. We started modestly in 1997 with seasonal flights from Lisbon to New York. Today, we celebrate seven routes to Portugal across five destinations.  Many of our customers already travel through Lisbon and continue on to the Algarve. This flight offers them a direct entry point to the region. Demand from the US has been solid, even slightly higher than last year – which was already a fantastic year.”

Karen Stougo, Commercial Director of airport operator VINCI Airports Portugal, added: “This new route not only strengthens the Algarve’s international connectivity and supports the region’s thriving tourism industry, but also offers residents a direct and convenient connection to the US.”

United adds six new transatlantic destinations and nine routes

The New York EWR – Faro service is part of United’s 2025 international expansion, which includes six new destinations and nine new routes across the Atlantic. Other new destinations launching from its New York EWR hub include Bilbao, Palermo, Nuuk and Funchal.

Additionally, United has introduced new routes from its Washington IAD hub, including its first-ever year-round service to Dakar, and seasonal flights to Nice and Venice, along with new seasonal operations between Denver and Rome FCO.