United Airlines launched a highly-anticipated new international route between New York, the US, and Dubrovnik, Croatia, which the company plans to run until October 2, 2021. While in a hurry to launch the route as soon as it was possible, United overcame its competitor Delta Air Lines and became the first to launch the destination.
On June 2, 2021, United Airlines officially announced having completed the inaugural flight of the new international route connecting the United States and Croatia. The company’s Boeing 767-300, carrying 214 travelers onboard, took off for the long-haul operation from New York Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) on the late evening of July 1, 2021, the company’s flight history shows. The jet, registered as N648U, arrived at Dubrovnik Airport (DBR), where it was warmly welcomed by the city mayor Mato Frankovic and a group of airport and United Airlines representatives.
The new United Airlines route to Dubrovnik comes as a part of the new company’s international expansion plan in Europe. Initially, the US air carrier planned to operate three weekly flights to DBV starting on July 8, 2021. However, the airline adjusted its plans and increased the service frequency to four regular weekly flights departing from EWR airport every Monday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday, and four weekly flights returning from DBV airport on Tuesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
Although United Airlines competitor Delta Air Lines was also eager to become the first American air carrier to launch the New York-Dubrovnik route, it now lags behind United Airlines. According to the Delta Air Lines flight schedule, its Boeing 767-300, registered as N188DN, will take off for the John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) – Dubrovnik Airport (DBV) route on June 2, 2021, with an estimated departure at 8.10 p.m (UTC).
Similar to the United Airlines schedule, Delta Air Lines plans to perform the international service in and out Dubrovnik four times a week while departing from JFK airport every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday and returning to the home base on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
For both US air carriers, Dubrovnik is the first Croatian destination of their international networks.