United Airlines confirms Greenland flights will continue in 2026

By Elías Thorsson August 26, 2025
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The first direct scheduled flight from Newark in the U.S. to Nuuk prepares to land at the airport in Nuuk, Greenland, June 14, 2025. Mads Claus Rasmussen/Ritzau Scanpix/via REUTERS

United Airlines says it will resume nonstop service between Newark and Nuuk in summer 2026, extending its new Arctic route beyond the inaugural 2025 season.

The confirmation came from Patrick Quayle, United’s Senior Vice President of Global Network Planning and Alliances, in an Instagram post where he described Greenland as “United’s ❄️coolest❄️ new destination” and announced, “if you haven’t had a chance to travel to Nuuk this year, I’ve got good news: United will be returning to this gem of the Arctic in 2026 🇬🇱.”

United launched its Nuuk flights on June 1, 2025, becoming the first U.S. airline to offer scheduled service to Greenland since 2007. The current season is scheduled to wrap in late September, but strong demand has helped secure the route’s return next year.

The airline has also highlighted the broader tourism potential of the new connection. By cutting travel time to Greenland to just four hours from Newark, United believes the island could become “a top-trending destination” for travelers seeking off-the-beaten-path experiences.