United Airlines to add new routes

United Airlines on Thursday announced an expansion of its transatlantic service next year, adding five new destinations to capitalize on pent-up travel demand.

US carriers are buoyed by the Biden administration’s decision to reopen to fully vaccinated air travelers from 33 countries, including most of Europe, in November.

In 2019, before the coronavirus pandemic, transatlantic routes accounted for up to 17 per cent of passenger revenues for the big three US carriers - United, Delta and American.

The airlines have said they have seen a surge in bookings since the White House announced the lifting of the travel restrictions last month.