American airline announces launch of flight between Faro and New York/Newark
United Airlines has announced the launch of the first direct air link between Faro and New York/Newark (USA) on May 24, 2024.
“The new flight will make it easy for U.S. customers to visit Portugal’s Algarve region, home to some of the country’s most scenic beaches and striking historic sites,” the American airline says in a statement released this Thursday.
The flight will operate four times a week on a Boeing 757-200, featuring a total of 176 seats – 16 flat-bed seats in United Polaris business class and 160 in economy, including 42 Economy Plus seats with “added legroom and increased personal space.”
As United Airlines points out, it will become the first and only airline to directly connect the United States and Faro.
It adds that it currently serves more destinations in Portugal than all U.S. carriers with its existing year-round service between New York/Newark–Lisbon, as well as seasonal service between Washington/Dulles-Lisbon, New York/Newark–Porto and New York/Newark-Ponta Delgada, Azores.
Tickets are already for sale on the airline’s website, with flights from Faro to Newark taking off on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday at 11.45am and arriving at 3.05pm (local time), and flights from Newark to Faro on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday taking off at 9.50pm (local time) and arriving in Faro at 10am. Ticket prices for Economy class start at around €1,100, with some Basic Economy tickets available for around €600.
The air link will run until September 23 (Newark-Faro) and September 24 (Faro-Newark).
“We are excited to announce this further expansion of our route network from Portugal to the U.S. and United’s first-ever service from Faro to New York,” said Jose Ferreira, the airline’s Country Sales Manager for Portugal.
“For the summer 2024, United will operate its largest-ever transatlantic schedule, offering our customers even greater travel choice and the possibility to connect via our U.S. hubs to other destinations across the Americas,” he added.
The announcement has also been celebrated by Thierry Ligonnière, CEO of ANA Aeroportos de Portugal and Vinci Airports.
“We welcome the start of United Airlines’ operation at Faro Airport. The new New York-Faro route represents the commitment of ANA/Vinci Airports to the growth of connectivity in a region served by Gago Coutinho International Airport in Faro, continuing its commitment to the Algarve region,” he said.
Earlier this month, the Algarve’s tourism boss said in an interview with the Resident that attracting direct air links with markets such as the US was vital.
“It’s clearly one of our priorities. There is a strong focus on promoting our air routes from Faro,” said André Gomes at the time, highlighting the growing number of American and Canadian holidaymakers seeking to discover the Algarve.
United Airlines is a member of Star Alliance, one of the world’s largest airline alliances which includes TAP, Lufthansa and Singapore Airlines along with many other major carriers.
Article updated at 5.14pm with further information provided by United Airlines.
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