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The smartest move in travel this year isn’t a new packing hack or a booking secret—it’s a flight path. While most travelers are stuck navigating the over-crowded hubs of Europe, a new playbook has emerged for getting ahead of the crowds.
For the traveler who values their time—and knows the difference between a great trip and a good one is often a single nonstop flight—this is significant. United Airlines isn’t just adding another daily flight to Rome or London. They’ve launched direct routes to compelling, “off-path” destinations that are now realistically within reach for a long weekend.
This isn’t about just getting to Europe. It’s about getting there smarter and starting your vacation the moment you land, not after another connecting flight. If you’re a fan of our Travel Off Path philosophy, this is the news you’ve been waiting for.
Here are the 4 new nonstop routes that should be on your radar:
Faro, Portugal
Let’s be honest, Lisbon is amazing, but it’s having a major moment, and the crowds that come with it. The real magic of Portugal is often found down south in the Algarve region, and Faro is its sun-drenched capital. Think dramatic golden cliffs, hidden sea caves, and some of the most beautiful beaches in Europe. It’s a region that forces you to slow down. Once you’re there, make sure to explore the walled Old Town and climb the medieval tower of the Faro Cathedral for an incredible view of the Ria Formosa lagoon. United’s new route from Newark is the only nonstop from the U.S., making it dangerously easy to trade your office chair for a seaside lounger.
The new route from Newark (EWR) launched on May 16th.
Palermo, Italy (Sicily)
Still quoting The White Lotus? Now you can live it. While most tourists clog the airports in Rome and Milan, you can be sipping an Aperol Spritz in Sicily just hours after leaving the East Coast. Palermo is a city that buzzes with life—it’s chaotic, historic, and absolutely packed with the best food you’ll ever eat. Pro tip: dive into the Ballarò market first thing in the morning for the freshest produce and a real slice of local life. Use Palermo as your gateway to the rest of the island, from the stunning beaches of Cefalù to the ancient Greek temples of Agrigento. This is Italy, unfiltered.
The new route from Newark (EWR) launched on May 21st.
Bilbao, Spain
If you think you’ve “done” Spain because you’ve been to Barcelona, think again. Bilbao is the heart of Basque Country, a region so fiercely independent it has its own language, culture, and a mind-blowing food scene (seriously, they collect Michelin stars like Pokémon cards). Home to the stunning Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao is your gateway to the foodie paradise of San Sebastián and the lush vineyards of the Rioja region. When in the Old Town, do as the locals do and go for a poteo—bar hopping for small glasses of wine and pintxos, the Basque version of tapas. A must-try is the “Gilda,” a skewer of an anchovy, an olive, and a spicy pickled pepper.
The new route from Newark (EWR) launched on May 31st.
Nuuk, Greenland
Okay, this one is for the serious adventurer. If you want a story that none of your friends have, this is it. United is now the first and only U.S. airline to fly nonstop to Greenland. This isn’t your typical European vacation; it’s a frontier. Picture this: watching whales breach in deep-blue fjords, kayaking past massive icebergs, and seeing the Northern Lights dance across the sky. While it’s a rugged destination, a key tip is to dress in layers, even in summer, as the weather can change in an instant. It’s raw, epic, and now, thanks to this new flight, it’s finally within reach for American travelers.
The new route from Newark (EWR) launched just last week on June 14th.
For travelers always on the hunt for the next authentic experience, these new routes aren’t just about convenience. They’re a direct line to destinations that offer a deeper, more memorable adventure far from the crowds—and that’s always a smart move. Happy travels!
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.