United Airlines’ Top 5 Transatlantic Boeing 757 Routes By Available Seat Miles

Chicago-based United Airlines has been a major contender in the transatlantic market. With a widebody fleet of Boeing 767, 777, and 787 Dreamliner aircraft, the carrier’s international footprint from its six US hubs is quite impressive. However, the airline does not use only widebody aircraft on some of its long-haul overseas routes. The 757-200, which United has operated for decades, are deployed regularly across the pond.

In fact, the airline holds the title for flying the world’s longest passenger flight on the aircraft type. Despite their age, United has held onto its 757 fleet, operating both the -200 and -300 variants. Although the carrier is not the largest operator of the -200, it does own the most examples of the -300. The stretched version, however, has proved to be more appropriate for domestic routes, while United has notably not been shy to utilize its smaller -200s on lengthy journeys of up to seven hours or more.

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As such, the aircraft accommodates 176 seats in a two-class layout. United Polaris class comprises 16 lie-flat seats in a 2-2 configuration, while United Economy has the remaining 160 standard seats in a 3-3 configuration. 42 economy seats are designated as United Economy Plus seats and offer more legroom.

Photo: Dino Ramic I Shutterstock.

Next month, in the midst of the busy summer travel season, the carrier has the aircraft type scheduled on several transatlantic flights from two hubs: Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD) and Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR). According to aviation data and analytics firm Cirium, United’s top five 757 transatlantic routes by available seat miles (ASMs) range from as much as 35 million to as little as 19 million. All routes appear to operate once daily, but its most popular route has two daily frequencies.

5

Newark to Málaga, Spain

19,414,560 ASMs

United’s service from EWR to Málaga Airport (AGP) in Spain crosses more than 3,670 miles and will operate once daily in June. The flight, UA350, departs from EWR at 17:55 and arrives at AGP the next morning at 07:35, marking a seven-hour and 40-minute flight.

Although the 757 is capable of reaching a cruising altitude of 40,000 feet, the airline typically files the aircraft between 33,000 and 35,000 feet on the long-haul route.

Photo: GingChen | Shutterstock

As with all westbound flights, more time is added due to the potential for strong headwinds. The return journey, UA351, departs from AGP at 09:35 and arrives in Newark at 12:15 on the same day, resulting in an eight-hour and 40-minute duration – one hour longer than the eastbound flight. Cirium data shows that United offers 19,414,560 ASMs on the route each way.

4

Newark to Brussels, Belgium

19,435,680 ASMs

United offers two daily flights between EWR and Brussels Airport (BRU), but only one is operated by the 757-200. UA618 departs from EWR at 21:15 and arrives at BRU the following day at 10:40. The seven-hour and 25-minute flight covers 3,681 miles.

On the return, UA619 leaves BRU at 14:15 and travels eight hours and 25 minutes to EWR, arriving at 16:40 on the same day. United offers 19,435,680 ASMs on the route in each direction.

As an operator of all three variants of the 787 Dreamliner, United deploys the 787-10, the largest variant of the aircraft type between EWR and BRU. The eastbound flight is UA999 and departs from EWR earlier in the evening at 18:40, while the westbound flight also departs earlier than the 757 flight at 11:15.

3

Chicago to Edinburgh, UK

19,604,640 ASMs

The 757-200 also operates a slightly longer flight from ORD to Edinburgh Airport (EDI). This flight, UA118, operates once daily and departs from ORD at 18:45. After seven hours and 40 minutes, it arrives at EDI at 08:25 the next morning.

The return flight, UA119, departs three hours later at 11:30 and lands back at EWR at 14:05 on the same day, resulting in a duration of about eight hours and 35 minutes.

Photo: Angel DiBilio | Shutterstock

At 3,713 miles, this particular journey is the longest 757 route among the top five ASMs routes next month. However, due to its frequency count, there are 19,604,640 ASMs in each direction. United does not operate the route more than once per day, nor is it operated by any aircraft other than the 757-200.

2

Newark to Edinburgh, UK

32,219,264 ASMs

The slightly shorter EWR to EDI route covers 3,269 miles. It will be offered twice daily except for a few days next month. On days with two frequencies, UA36 departs EWR at 20:15 and flies for roughly seven hours to EDI, arriving at 08:05 the next day. The second departure, UA161, leaves EWR at 23:55 and lands at EDI the following morning at 11:55.

UA37 is the first westbound departure back to EWR. The flight departs EDI at 09:40 and arrives at EWR at 12:20 after a seven-hour and 40-minute journey across the pond. The second departure, UA162, leaves in the afternoon from EDI at 13:50 and lands at EWR at 16:30. With 56 frequencies each way, the ASMs count jumps to 32,219,264 in each direction throughout the month.

1

Newark to Porto, Portugal

35,270,400 ASMs

United’s operation from EWR to Francisco Sá Carneiro Airport (OPO) marks its top 757-200 route based on ASMs. The route covers 3,340 miles and has two daily flights scheduled in June, resulting in 35,270,400 ASMs in each direction.

The first departure, UA238, leaves EWR at 19:00 and arrives at OPO the following day at 06:55, marking six hours and 55 minutes. UA144 is the second flight and departs from EWR at 21:50 and lands at OPO at 09:49 the next day.

Photo: Robin Guess | Shutterstock

UA239, the first returning flight, departs OPO at 09:15 and arrives at EWR at 12:10 after seven hours and 55 minutes. The second departure, UA145, leaves OPO at 12:35 and lands at 15:30 back at EWR. Out of the top five routes, this is the only route that United does not operate exclusively. The airline faces competition from TAP Air Portugal, which flies the route once daily on the Airbus A321neo.

Have you flown on any of these routes? Let us know by leaving a comment below.

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