Coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, United Airlines
has expanded aggressively. One of the areas in which it has focused its expansion is in its route network, adding destinations that no other American carrier serves. Often times, not even other carriers serve these routes.

In March, United announced that this fall, it would launch three new long-haul routes to Africa, Asia, and South America. From Newark, United will fly to Marrakesh, from Tokyo Narita to Cebu (a fifth-freedom route), and from Houston to Medellin.

In addition to the new long-haul routes, United announced increased service on several routes and new routes from Dulles International Airport (IAD) this winter. Commenting on the new route to Palm Springs, Patrick Quayle, United’s Senior Vice President of Global Network Planning and Alliances, said,

“We pride ourselves in offering unique, world-class destinations and are excited to offer our customers more service to beautiful Greater Palm Springs.”

All of these flights are available for booking in miles through United’s Mileage Plus frequent flier program, so let’s take a look at how much each route costs and how to book.

How to book

Booking with Mileage Plus miles is an extremely simple process. Of course, one must be a Mileage Plus member to start. The booking process is just like booking a cash fare, both on the website and app.

  1. Go to United.com / the United app
  2. Sign in to Mileage Plus Account
  3. Enter trip details (origin, destination, flight dates)
  4. Check the box ‘book with miles’
  5. Click ‘find flights’
  6. Select flights
  7. Pay

Newark – Marrakesh

Launches on October 24

United Airlines is launching its service to Ras Al Khaimah International Airport (RAK) on October 24. The route will be operated thrice weekly on the Boeing 767-300ER on the following schedule:

Origin

Destination

Departure

Arrival

Newark

Marrakesh

21:45

10:20 +1

Marrakesh

Newark

12:20

14:25

United Airlines Boeing 767-300ER

Photo: Mike Fuchslocher | Shutterstock

The inaugural flight is currently available starting at the following rates:

  • Economy – 74,200 miles + $5.60
  • Premium Economy – 185,000 miles + $5.60
  • Polaris Business Class – 295,000 miles + $5.60

Selecting a return on November 1, just over one week later, the flight back to the US is available at the following rates:

  • Economy – 45,100 miles + $42.40
  • Premium Economy – 74,100 miles + $42.40
  • Polaris Business Class – 245,000 miles + $73.60

Tokyo (Narita) – Cebu

Launches on October 27

United Airlines was supposed to have launched this route at the end of July, but because of a review from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), it paused its plans. Now, according to data from Cirium, an aviation analytics firm, United will launch its service on October 27. The Chicago-based carrier will deploy its Boeing 737-800s, based in Guam, daily on the route.

United Airlines Boeing 737-800 at gate at SFO

Photo: Lukas Souza | Simple Flying

Flights will operate on the following schedule:

Origin

Destination

Departure

Arrival

Narita

Cebu

17:30

22:05

Cebu

Narita

09:30

15:15

The inaugural flight from Tokyo is available at the following rates:

  • Economy – 30,000 miles + $29.60 (there currently is a Saver Award, giving cardmembers a 20% discount. This drops the flight to 21,400 miles)
  • Business – 77,600 miles + $29.60

Returning the following week on Sunday, November 3rd, is cheaper than the inaugural. The flight as available for:

  • Economy – 23,700 miles + $16.80
  • Business – 75,000 miles + $16.80

This brings the roundtrip total (for cardmembers) to 45,100 miles + $46.40.

Houston – Medellin

Launches on November 13

The launch of flights from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston to Aeroporto Internacional José María Córdova (MDE) in Medellin was supposed to launch on October 27, according to United’s original announcement. But data shows that the inaugural has been pushed back to November 13, when daily services will be launched. This will be the first time United will fly to Medellin.

United Airlines Boeing 737 MAX 8 parked at hangar at Boeing Charleston

Photo: Lukas Souza | Simple Flying

The airline will deploy its Boeing 737 MAX 8s on the 2,089-mile route, which will operate on the following schedule:

Origin

Destination

Departure

Arrival

Houston

Medellin

16:29

22:05

Medellin

Houston

10:45

14:38

The inaugural flight from Houston is available for the following rates:

  • Economy: 39,800 miles + $20.60 (30,000 miles for cardmembers, a 25% discount)
  • Business: 193,200 miles + $20.60

The return leg on November 20 is available for:

  • Economy: 30,000 miles + $66.80
  • Business: 76,800 miles + $66.80

This brings the total to 60,000 miles (for cardholders) + $87.40.

Washington Dulles – Palm Springs

Launches on December 19

Just a few weeks ago, United announced it was expanding its network from Dulles International Airport (IAD). The announcement included both international and domestic routes. Starting on December 19, the airline will fly nonstop to Palm Springs, a popular Southern California destination for its warm weather year-round.

United Airlines Boeing 737-800

Photo: Lukas Souza | Simple Flying

This service will operate seasonally through April 2025. According to Cirium, United will deploy its Boeing 737-800s and MAX 8s in the beginning, before switching completely to the MAX 8s. Service will be operated daily, meaning the airline’s seat offering will average 10,000 monthly.

The flights will operate on the following schedule:

Origin

Destination

Departure

Arrival

Dulles

Palm Springs

09:00

11:40

Palm Springs

Dulles

13:10

20:55

The inaugural flight from Dulles is available for:

  • Economy – 41,800 miles + $5.60
  • First – 120,000 miles + $5.60

A return on December 26 is available for:

  • Economy: 38,800 miles + $5.60
  • First: 120,000 miles + $5.60

This brings the total roundtrip to 80,600 miles + $11.20 in Economy.

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