In October 2024, United Airlines announced the largest international expansion in its history, adding eight new destinations to its international network. The eight new destinations are poised for takeoff in the summer of 2025 and include exciting cities in Taiwan, Senegal, Greenland, Italy, Spain, Portugal (x2), and Ulaanbaatar in Mongolia, the world’s largest landlocked country.
Time to book a ticket to Ulaanbaatar
In its announcement on October 10, 2024, United Airlines (United) announced new routes to Kaohsiung, Taiwan; Dakar, Senegal; Nuuk, Greenland; Palermo, Italy; Bilbao, Spain; Madeira Island and Faro in Portugal and Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. United flies to more international destinations than any other US carrier, and next summer, it will offer 800 daily flights to and from 147 international destinations – including 40 not served by any other US airline.
Photo: Vincenzo Pace/Simple Flying
United’s Senior Vice President of Global Network Planning and Alliances, Patrick Quayle, said that no other airline gives customers nonstop access to as many unique international destinations and experiences from the US as United. He added:
“Our network provides the most choice and variety for our customers, whether they are looking for a relaxing seaside getaway, once-in-a-lifetime adventure travel, or to explore some of the most vibrant urban escapes across the globe.”
United is opening a new seasonal connection between Japan’s Tokyo Narita Airport (NRT) and Mongolia’s capital, Ulaanbaatar, starting May 1, 2025. United will be the only US airline serving Mongolia, and its new service from Tokyo will give Americans a new, easy way to visit this vast and intriguing country.
Between January and October last year, nearly 500,000 people visited Mongolia, up 25% compared to 2023, as the North Asian nation climbed the ladder of the top places to visit in Asia. Most of that increase came from travelers in Europe, South Korea, and Japan, which fits in well with United’s new service from Tokyo Narita.

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Mongolia is on the Condé Nast Traveller Best Places To Go In Asia list, and in 2023, the country launched visa-free travel for 34 more nationalities, bringing the total to 61. It is a paradise for adventure travelers, with the Gobi Desert and the rugged Altai Mountains providing endless opportunities for trekking, horseback riding and camping under the stars.
Bookings are now open for Ulaanbaatar
On Friday, Ishrion Aviation posted that bookings are now open for the Tokyo Narita to Ulaanbaatar route, which will operate three times weekly from May 1 until October 12, 2025. The United flights will be operated with Boeing 737-800 aircraft between Tokyo Narita and Mongiloa’s Chinggis Khaan International Airport (UBN), the primary airport serving Ulaanbaatar and the nation’s only international airport.
United is also adding new nonstop flights from Tokyo Narita to Kaohsiung, Taiwan and Koror, Palau. Along with the flights to Ulaanbaatar, these flights will seamlessly connect in Tokyo to United’s transpacific services to five hub locations in the Continental US.
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying
United is right-sizing the aircraft to suit the market
United has chosen the Boeing 737-800 for services between Tokyo and Ulaanbaatar, configured in a two-class layout of 166 seats, including 16 in first and 150 in economy. According to fleet data from ch-aviation, United has 141 Boeing 737-800s at an average age of 21 years, with thirteen currently listed as inactive.
Photo: United Airlines
The total fleet listing shows 995 aircraft, with a further 682 to be delivered. Apart from the 737-800s, the balance of United’s fleet includes:
- 81 Airbus A319
- 78 Airbus A320
- 29 A321neo
- 188 Boeing 737
- 194 Boeing 737 MAX
Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying
- 61 Boeing 757
- 53 Boeing 767
- 96 Boeing 777
- 74 Boeing 787 Dreamliner
United already operates more flights across the Atlantic than any other US airline, and this summer will be its largest ever with more than 760 weekly flights. It is adding new flights to multiple destinations, including Palma de Mallorca, Spain; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Athens, Greece; Nice, France; and Venice, Italy.