United Airlines confirms return of US-Greenland nonstop flights for summer 2026

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United Airlines confirms return of US-Greenland nonstop flights for summer 2026

Research

Scott Kirby, chief executive officer | United Airlines

By Sky Industry News

Aug 31, 2025

United Airlines will resume its nonstop service between the United States and Greenland in 2026, following a successful inaugural season this summer. The airline confirmed plans to return to Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, after launching historic nonstop flights from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Nuuk International Airport (GOH) earlier this year.

Patrick Quayle, United's top network planner, shared the news on social media Monday. He described Greenland as a "gem of the Arctic" and said the carrier would be back in 2026.

The route marks a significant milestone for U.S.-Greenland air travel. The inaugural flight in June was the first regularly scheduled service connecting the U.S. with Greenland since 2007 and the first ever operated by a U.S. carrier.

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"I think what we're building at United is an airline that is aspirational and inspirational, and I think Greenland fits that designation," Quayle said during an interview in Nuuk in June.

Before United launched its nonstop service, travelers flying between the U.S. and Greenland typically had to connect through Iceland or Europe. The new route was made possible by recent upgrades at Nuuk International Airport, including a new terminal and runway completed just months before United’s arrival.

The flight from Newark to Nuuk takes about four hours depending on weather conditions. During visits this summer, temperatures around Nuuk hovered near 40 degrees Fahrenheit, with opportunities for sightseeing among icebergs just outside the city.

Greenland was one of several unique destinations added by United in 2025; other new routes included Dakar (Senegal), Ulaanbaatar (Mongolia), Bilbao (Spain), and Palermo (Sicily). According to a spokesperson, no decisions have been announced regarding those routes for 2026.

United’s seasonal service to Nuuk will end on September 23 for northbound flights from Newark, with the final southbound return scheduled for September 24.

For more information about United's previous announcement regarding its historic nonstop flight between the US and Greenland, visit https://thepointsguy.com/news/united-airlines-greenland-flight-launch/.