United is launching two exciting new nonstop routes from the United States next fall: One to Marrakesh, Morocco, and another to Medellín, Colombia.
United announced Thursday it will fly between Newark (EWR) and Marrakesh (RAK) on a Boeing 767-300ER and Houston (IAH) and Medellín, Colombia (MDE) on a Boeing 737 starting in October. Flights will go on sale later this year, the airline said in a news release.
United will be the only U.S. airline flying directly between Morrocco and the States. Royal Air Maroc is currently the only airline that flies to Morocco from the U.S., operating nonstops from Miami (MIA), New York (JFK), and Washington, D.C. (IAD).
The Marrakesh route will begin Oct. 31. It will be United's fifth nonstop flight into Africa. United will run the route three times a week with 46 United Polaris Business Class seats onboard each flight. R
United will begin operating the new Medellín route on Oct. 27, adding to its existing nonstop flights to Colombia from Houston (IAH) and Newark (EWR) to Bogotá (BOG). Currently, the nonstop flights from the U.S. to MDE include Fort Lauderdale (FLL), Miami (MIA), New York (JFK), and Orlando (MCO) on various airlines.
Along with the two new routes from the U.S., United announced a head-scratcher of a new route within Asia, too. Starting July 31, United will fly daily flights between Tokyo-Narita (NRT) and Cebu, Philippines (CEB), becoming the only U.S. airline to do so.
The Cebu flight will help travelers connect to the Phillippines through Narita from Denver (DEN), Houston (IAH), Los Angeles (LAX), Newark (EWR), and San Francisco (SFO) on United. United made news recently by announcing nonstop service from San Francisco (SFO) and Manila (MNL) in the Philippines so this new route will add to that service and United's existing service from the Micronesian islands of Guam (GUM) and Palau (ROR) to Manila (MNL), too.
Along with the new routes, United announced it is restarting its China schedule next fall with four weekly flights between Los Angeles (LAX) and Shanghai (PVG) on a 787 Dreamliner starting Oct. 26.
The Chicago-based airline will also add a second daily flight between San Francisco (SFO) and Seoul, South Korea (ICN) starting Oct. 25 and also recently started service between Tokyo-Haneda (HND) and Guam (GUM) that will begin in May.
Across the Atlantic, United will add a second daily Newark (EWR) to Porto, Portugal (OPO) flight beginning May 23.
The Marrakesh and Medellín routes are the most interesting new additions to United's portfolio, giving U.S. travelers a straight shot to Morocco and the increasingly popular Colombia destination starting this fall. While the Tokyo to Cebu route won't impact many U.S. travelers, some may find comfort in knowing they can fly United (and use their United points and miles) all the way to the Philippine destination if they don't want to go to Manila (MNL) first or connect elsewhere in Asia on a foreign carrier.
There is some great value hidden in the other route resumptions and increases, though, especially for travelers looking to fly United Polaris Business Class. The expansion of the Seoul (ICN) and Porto (OPO) flights add dozens of lie-flat seats on each of those routes every day, giving you a better chance at snagging a seat up front for less.
Bottom Line
United will launch two brand new routes from the United States in October: One from Newark (EWR) to Marrakesh, Morocco (RAK) and another from Houston (IAH) to Medellin, Colombia (MDE).
Along with the two brand new U.S. routes, the airline will also run a route from Tokyo-Narita (NRT) to Cebu, Philippines (CEB) and increase flying to Shanghai (PVG), Seoul (ICN), and Porto (OPO) in 2024, too.
what a shitty route