Despite averaging nearly 29 years old, United’s Boeing 757s are getting busier. The carrier will deploy the aging jets on 18 daily European flights next summerβthe most since 2017.
United Airlines will operate more Boeing 757 flights to Europe next summer than at any point in nine years, marking a strategic deployment of the carrier’s aging fleet as it expands transatlantic service.
The Chicago-based airline has scheduled 558 one-way 757 flights for July 2026, equivalent to 18 daily departures. The figure represents a 6% increase from July 2025 and a 38% jump from pre-pandemic levels in July 2019, according to schedule data submitted to Cirium Diio as of Oct. 14.
The expansion centers on a new Washington Dulles-Keflavik, Iceland route launching May 22, 2026. The service will restore competition to the market after budget carrier PLAY ceased operations to Dulles in 2024, leaving Icelandair as the sole operator. United’s entry will mark the first time the route has seen 757 service since 2022, when Icelandair retired the type in favor of Boeing 737 MAX aircraft.
United’s 757-200 fleet, inherited from its merger with Continental Airlines, averages 28.7 years in age, according to ch-aviation data. The 176-seat aircraft are fully depreciated, providing lower operating costs that offset higher fuel consumption and maintenance expenses compared with newer alternatives such as the Airbus A321XLR, which United has on order.
The 757s will operate 17% of United’s European service next July across 16 airport pairs, up from 15 routes this summer. Three routes will see twice-daily service: Newark-Edinburgh, Newark-Porto and Washington Dulles-Dublin. Daily frequencies include Chicago O’Hare connections to Edinburgh, Keflavik and Shannon, Ireland, plus multiple Newark departures to Brussels, Dublin, Keflavik, Malaga, Spain, Shannon and Stockholm.
Newark-Stockholm remains United’s longest 757 route to Europe at 3,415 nautical miles. With dwindling numbers of carriers operating the type, the service stands as the world’s longest scheduled passenger 757 flight.
United’s Newark-Porto service faces intensifying competition. The airline has operated the route since 2018 and will maintain twice-daily 757 frequencies next summer. Star Alliance partner TAP Air Portugal plans daily Newark service using A321LR aircraft. Delta Air Lines will launch daily New York JFK-Porto service on May 21, 2026, using 767-300ER equipment, replacing Azores Airlines’ brief 2024 operation on the route.
The airline’s newest European 757 routes from Newark β Faro, Portugal, which began in May 2025, and Bilbao, Spain, launched in June β will continue with four and three weekly flights respectively.
United did not operate 757s across the Atlantic in July 2020 during the height of the coronavirus pandemic. The carrier has steadily rebuilt the fleet’s European presence, surpassing 2017 deployment levels.
The Star Alliance member controls 72% of flights at its Newark hub, where it bases a significant portion of its European 757 operations. The carrier recently expanded its European 757 network, with the Dulles-Keflavik connection among the additions.
Schedule details remain subject to change.
Key Takeaways
- United Airlines will operate 558 one-way Boeing 757 flights to Europe in July 2026, the highest level since 2017, representing 17% of its European service across 16 airport pairs.
- The expansion includes a new Washington Dulles-Keflavik route launching May 22, 2026, restoring competition after PLAY’s 2024 exit and marking the route’s first 757 service since 2022.
- United’s 757-200 fleet averages 28.7 years old and is fully depreciated, offsetting higher fuel and maintenance costs compared with newer aircraft.
- Newark-Stockholm remains the carrier’s longest European 757 route at 3,415 nautical milesβcurrently the world’s longest scheduled passenger 757 flight.
