United Airlines has significantly expanded its operations to Portugal, increasing the number of seats available for both departures and arrivals by 11% this year. The airline has been steadily increasing its presence in the Portuguese market since 2019, just before the COVID-19 pandemic, and has nearly doubled its capacity on flights to and from Portugal, showing a 98% increase over the past few years. The strong demand for services has prompted the airline to explore further opportunities to enhance its operations in the country.
In a recent interview with Lusa, Darren Scott, United Airlines’ Director for the Atlantic and Hawaii regions, confirmed that reservations for this year were “in line with expectations.” Notably, the airline is set to launch four new weekly routes starting May 16 between Faro (Algarve) and New York/Newark, which will further increase its service to Portugal.
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Although Scott did not disclose specific booking numbers for Faro, he assured that bookings for the summer season were performing as expected, not just for Faro, but also for other airports where United operates. Scott pointed out that United Airlines is currently the only airline offering direct flights from Faro and Madeira to the United States, a significant point for travelers seeking to connect between Portugal and North America.
The expansion includes daily flights between Lisbon and New York, as well as a nearly year-round service between Lisbon and Washington, DC. Additionally, the airline operates seasonal daily flights from Porto and Ponta Delgada (Azores) to New York/Newark. This wide network helps United Airlines serve a broad range of passengers from Portugal, including those looking to travel to different parts of the United States and beyond.
In discussing the potential of expanding tourism opportunities in the Algarve region, Scott noted that there are “excellent opportunities for synergies” between Faro and United’s other services to Portugal. He mentioned the possibility of an “open jaw” itinerary, where tourists could fly into Faro to visit the Algarve and then return from Lisbon or Porto, making travel between multiple regions of Portugal more convenient.
United Airlines has also indicated that it is continuously monitoring the demand for more flights between Portugal and other U.S. cities. Scott confirmed that the airline is evaluating opportunities to expand its reach even further, adding that United offers more flights between Portugal and the U.S. than any other North American carrier. Passengers flying with United can access more than 100 destinations across North America from United’s major hubs.
The influx of North American tourists, especially from the United States, has significantly contributed to the growth of Portugal’s tourism sector. According to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE), U.S. tourists were responsible for 5.1 million overnight stays in Portugal last year, representing a 12% increase compared to 2023. This accounts for about 9% of the total number of overnight stays, which exceeded 56 million, reflecting a 4.7% overall growth. Other key markets, such as the United Kingdom (with over 10 million overnight stays), Germany (6.3 million), and Spain (5.4 million), continue to dominate the top spots for foreign tourism in Portugal.
United Airlines’ commitment to expanding its services to Portugal reflects the increasing demand from North American tourists, who are eager to explore the country’s rich culture, scenic landscapes, and historic sites. The airline’s ongoing investment in Portugal’s air travel infrastructure underscores the growing importance of the market as a key hub for transatlantic travel.
This article is originally published on theportugalnews.
