While US-European daytime transatlantic flights are uncommon, they were at a record level in August. However, things are changing.
In September, 
Delta Air Lines
revealed it would end its only day flight from New York JFK to SkyTeam and transatlantic joint venture partner Air France’s Paris CDG hub.
And now, in October, 
United Airlines
has pulled the return of Washington Dulles to London Heathrow day flights next summer, having last operated in 2023. It comes amid that carrier’s highly different and creative network expansion.
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Gone: Dulles-Heathrow day flights
In the schedule update over the weekend, United revealed two changes to its Heathrow operation next summer. Los Angeles flights will fall from double daily to daily, while it will not return its third-daily Dulles-Heathrow service.
When writing, United’s Heathrow flights in summer 2025 have fallen from the planned 22 daily to 20; they’ll be at the same level as now. It is believed United leased the additional slot pairs from the Lufthansa Group. Barring any further changes, it appears it will get them back.
Photo: Thierry Weber | Shutterstock
According to Cirum data, United had intended to bring back its Dulles-Heathrow day service on March 29, 2025. That is the day before northern airlines, including United, will switch to summer schedules based on IATA slot seasons. The first flight from the UK would have been on March 30, day one of summer 2025 for airlines.
The latest plan shows that the service has been removed. It was to use United’s low-capacity, high-premium, 167-seat Boeing 767-300ERs. It was scheduled as follows, with all times local:
- Dulles-Heathrow: UA122, 08:30-20:55
- Heathrow-Dulles: UA123, 07:10-11:00
United’s Heathrow plan (for now)
I’m always hesitant to mention what is planned so far in advance, and things can and often do change. However, as of October 14, United’s Heathrow network next summer is as follows:
- Newark: seven daily 767-300ER (up from six daily in 2024)
- Chicago O’Hare: three daily 767-300ER
- San Francisco: three daily 777-200ER
- Denver: double daily 787-9
- Houston Intercontinental: double daily 777-300ER
- Washington Dulles: double daily 777-200ER (as discussed)
- Los Angeles: daily 787-9 (down from the previously planned double daily)
Image: GCMap
Are you keen on day flights?
Most US-European flights that do not operate overnight involve relatively short stage lengths and few timezone changes. A sufficiently high volume of point-to-point demand is typically needed, which limits opportunities. Even Paris can’t make it work!
Feed is usually available. For example, for US carriers, early morning West Coast arrivals and a limited number of international services allow passengers to continue to Europe.
Some passengers can sometimes change flights to another flight in Europe, but this is unusual. For example, Delta’s arrival time in France (21:35) was too late for virtually every Air France flight, making it even more reliant on local demand.
Photo: Fasttailwind | Shutterstock
For some carriers, there’s a lack of aircraft use (most have to remain overnight at one end of the route) and probably lower yields from less interest in beds. But, they can be great for passengers as they help with jetlag, albeit at the expense of a losing a day.
In summer 2024, 
American Airlines
, azores airlines
, 
British Airways
, Delta Air Lines
(it won’t be returning), Icelandair
, JetBlue
, Turkish Airlines
, United Airlines
, and Virgin Atlantic
all had US-Europe day flights. However, Azores Airlines was the critical operator thanks to comparatively short flights, few timezone changes, and strong local demand.
American, JetBlue, United…
If these three carriers are examined, they will operate the following day flights next summer:
- American: New York JFK to London Heathrow, 09:30-21:40; daily 777-200ER
- JetBlue: New York JFK to London Heathrow, 08:21-20:45; daily A321LR
- United: Newark-London Heathrow, 08:20/08:30-20:40; daily 767-300ER