United Airlines has inaugurated flights between Newark and Split, marking the latter’s first scheduled transatlantic and long-haul service. Operations between the two will be maintained seasonally, three times per week, until September 6 with the Boeing 767-300ER aircraft. It will complement the existing daily seasonal flights between Newark and Dubrovnik, also operated by United. "We're constantly monitoring the data. The flight to Dubrovnik was very successful, and I personally visited Croatia, drove to Split and was amazed by the beauty of the coast. By adding Split to Dubrovnik, we're giving passengers the opportunity to fly into one city and fly out of another, and see more of Croatia”, Patrick Quayle, Senior Vice President of Global Network Planning and Alliances at United said.
The Star Alliance member is utilising its low-density B767-300ER on the Split route with just 167 seats, tailored for high-yield markets. It is the same layout used on premium routes such as from Newark to Zurich, Geneva, Nice and London Heathrow, with 46 seats in business class, 22 in premium economy and 99 in economy. The inaugural flight from Newark to Split was almost full.
The route will run with some payload restrictions and will not carry cargo,
with exception to passenger bags, due to the runway length in Split, which
could prove challenging for takeoff during hot summer days.
The Croatian National Tourist Board believes the demand warrants additional new routes between Croatia and the US. The Director for North America at the Croatian National Tourist Board, Leila Krešić-Jurić, said, “When I took on this role, Dubrovnik was only just getting started, and the idea of adding another destination felt more like wishful thinking. I reached out to Mr Quayle, and I am grateful he was open to the conversation. I firmly believe we will secure one or two additional destinations in the future”. The Croatian National Tourist Board is targeting a new service to Zagreb, while United recently held discussions with Zadar Airport in New York, with both sides exploring potential opportunities for future cooperation. The US is Croatia’s largest long-haul market and generates the highest volume of visitor traffic from distant regions. In 2025, Croatia recorded over 850.000 arrivals from the US and 2.4 million overnight stays, which is an increase of 9% and 10%, respectively, compared to the previous year.
Congratulations Split and good luck to the new route!
ReplyDeletePerhaps the admin could shed some light on the exact circumstances of the involvement of the Croatian tourist board in the whole story. And in particular the money flows apparently involved.
DeleteFingers crossed for the Zagreb flights next year
ReplyDelete+1
DeleteUnited is basically building a mini Croatia network. Wouldn’t be surprised if Zagreb is next in 2027.
DeleteNot surprised United went for Split before Zagreb. Higher yields, shorter season, less risk.
DeleteAirlines follow the money, simple as that.
DeleteZagreb will come eventually.
DeleteIn this case Croatian tourist bosrd pays to United to fly to SPU and DBV…
DeleteIt doesn't. It pays for promotion of the route.
DeleteZagreb lacks the strong leisure appeal that drives DBV and SPU but I do hope that based on diaspora and business this route will indeed launch in 2027.
DeleteIt will not, if not so far. Actually, Zagreb had US flights once upon a time.
DeleteAnd paying for promotion is actually paying for flying on the route. Modern and legal way of supporting airlines to fly where demand is weak. Basics of the aviation today Anon 11:50
DeleteIt is not. There is a difference between maintaining a route with constant subventions and paying an airline to promote a destinations.
DeleteNot surprised United went for it after Dubrovnik performed so well.
ReplyDeleteAbout time. Split has been underserved long-haul for too long, especially considering how many Americans visit every summer.
ReplyDeletePayload restrictions and no cargo could hurt the economics though.
ReplyDeleteIf they manage to fill the seats they should be fine. In July, business class is 10000+ euros return
DeleteGosh, almost as much as lunch on Hvar nowadays.
DeleteYou are so funny!
DeleteCheers
Delete80.9% load factor on Dubrovnik is very solid but not spectacular. Curious how Split performs over a full season.
ReplyDeleteFor a seasonal DAILY route it's not bad at all.
DeleteI´d say it is amazing considering the size od DBV and it is a daily flight.
DeleteKeep in mind that the first flights from DBV to EWR are mostly empty. They start to fill after a week when the first US tour groups start going back to the US. Same as the last few flights. It's full from DBV but not to.
DeleteDemand is definitely there, especially from the US East Coast.
ReplyDeleteIs this the first scheduled widebody flights to Split too?
ReplyDeleteNo Condor and others used to operate the 767 in the past to SPU.
DeleteRegularly or just one offs?
DeleteFantastic! Well done
ReplyDeleteGreat news for tourism, but infrastructure in Split is already stretched in peak season. Airport and city will need to keep up.
ReplyDeleteI think they are about to start renovating the Riva this November. But yeah its not a city I get my pleasure to be in during summer anymore.
DeleteThese US passengers will spend a day or two in Split and then head off to Hvar mostly. Then go down to Dubrovnik
DeleteIs there anywhere to relocate the airport? I think that in about 2 years there will be no way to get slots
DeleteThere is an easy solution called 'airport expansion'.
Delete@12:00 relocate the airport? Are you actually serious? 🫣
DeleteTen weekly US-Croatia flights is a big step compared to just a few years ago.
ReplyDeleteNo cargo at all? That’s quite a limitation. Usually even leisure routes try to carry some freight. I know the DBV route has quite a bit.
ReplyDeleteIt's not a small issue.
DeleteWhat cargo could there possibly be? It's a totally irrelevant cargo route
DeleteI thought so too but then I saw how much cargo there is on the Newark-Dubrovnik route and it is not negligible.
DeleteWhat is the source that there will be no cargo on the route?
DeleteMaybe read the article.
DeleteDoes anyone know what the cargo is on the Dubrovnik route?
DeleteIf Zadar actually gets this before Zagreb, that would be wild.
ReplyDeleteThey won't launch Zadar until the runway is extended.
DeleteThey won't launch ZAD period.
DeleteI agree that Zadar is unlikely but same was said for Split
DeleteWho said Split was unlikely to get US flights? Same people who are saying that ZAG has huge demand for US flights?
DeleteSmart move with the triangle concept (into one city, out of another). That’s exactly how tourists want to travel in Croatia.
ReplyDeleteYears ago people said long haul to Split was impossible. Now look at it.
ReplyDeleteLove this. Croatia is becoming easier to reach every year.
ReplyDelete167 seats is very conservative. United is clearly testing the market without overcommitting capacity.
ReplyDeleteIt's a premium heavy cabin
DeleteThat 767 config is actually very comfortable. Passengers on this route are getting a much better product than usual leisure routes.
DeleteI agree. I find the 767 a really comfortable aircraft to fly on. Also rare nowadys. Most Europeans dont get the chance to fly one unless to the US nowadays.
DeleteThis particular one that flew to Split is 26 years old. I can't imagine they will be around that much longer and will have to replace it on the route with a 787.
DeleteThis is exactly the type of high-spending visitor Croatia wants. Premium-heavy cabin says it all.
ReplyDeleteUnited is doing what European legacy carriers failed to do. Connect secondary leisure markets directly to the US. United is also starting Bari and Santiago De Compostela
ReplyDeletePlease don't tell us this critics are directed to Jasmin the Lion. Cause he deserves appraisals only, the same as successful business he runs, OU, with its stellar achievments, Bright and Shiny Intergalactic Spaceships included
DeleteDon't you want Jasmin to introduce long haul exclusively from ZAG?
DeleteNo. I want politics to get out of OU which means Jasmin would not be in charge any more which means professional and competent management would take over, and totally reform OU. Only after that happened, it would be possible to discuss operations in details. But you obviously don't understand or pretend not to understand what do I talk about and what I want
DeleteSo you are saying we should use SDP cadre in OU?
DeleteIs it priced like Dubrovnik or even higher?
ReplyDeleteThe flights are kind of absurdly expensive
DeleteThere are alot of very rich americans
DeleteNote that paying 2.000€ for return flight in US is similar to us paying 280€ if you look at salaries
DeleteI dont think that figure is based on anything. Also the US is extremly uneven in terms of income. There are vast regions of the country with average incomes similar or lower than in Croatia.
DeleteAnd those do not take flights to Split
DeleteThose do not take bus from their hill to the next village
DeleteThis will benefit not just Split, but the entire Dalmatian coast—hotels, marinas, everything.
ReplyDeleteWill anyone other than tourists use this route? I'm asking this genuinely. Is it mostly just tourists?
ReplyDeleteCuriously, there's quite a bit of traffic in the other direction today. But almost all in economy. Business has only 9 paxs
DeleteThat's good to hear
DeleteI mean in aviation lingo it will have some VFR traffic, but essentially they are tourists to going to North America. Do you mean business travel? Well maybe some boat salesmen and the like. But there are sufficient loaded Americans who want to explore the Adriatic to make this work i think.
DeleteAlthough i believe runway 05 is dominant, especially in the mornings, the 767 making the approach to 23 will be pretty.
I wonder how many of these passengers are connecting beyond Newark and to where
ReplyDeleteThat would be interesting to see. From which US cities people are connecting.
DeleteAdmin, what is the data for DBV-EWR?
DeleteIt says in the article doesn't it?
DeleteFrom Dubrovnik to Newark there were 30.609 passengers in 2025. The remaining 30.291 were from Newark to Dubrovnik.
Delete300 drunk pax were left behind
DeleteHow many wide body parking spaces they have?
ReplyDeleteHonestly would never in my wildest dreams think there would be United flights to Split. Well done
ReplyDelete46 business class seats is huge
ReplyDeleteSplit will have to manage ground handling very carefully with these widebodies during peak hours.
ReplyDeleteIts a single widebody 3 times a week. It'll be fine
DeleteThis route makes multi-city Croatia itineraries much easier to sell to US clients.
ReplyDeleteJasmineee!!! Dobro jutro! Sretan Prvi maj!!!! Ako itko zaslužuje prvomajsku čestitku za naporan rad a pogotovo radne rezultate, taj si! Neg pusti ti ove megalomane sa Amerkama, kaka ti je situacija u Minkenu i Vrankvurtu? Slavi li se i tamo? Ima'l šta naroda da iđe?
ReplyDeleteNe može tu Jasmin ništa kada je hub u Zagrebu gdje nema potražnje.
DeleteLOL
DeleteGood luck Split and United! Congratulations from Serbia!
ReplyDeleteUntil Split Airport extends the runway, I think this type of aircraft, with this load capability, will be the most they will be able to achieve. Until then, prices on these flights — even for economy seating — will unfortunately be too high for economy seat buyers. I’m looking at prices right now for a return economy at $2,500. Good connecting economy with KLM or Lufthansa is $1,500 on the same dates. I think the $1,000 difference for economy is a bit too much just so you don’t have to connect for 2 or 3 hours in Amsterdam or Frankfurt. Nonetheless, this is a great achievement for the airport and the whole connecting region. Very proud that this day has finally arrived.
ReplyDelete