For the third year running, the Canary Islands and the US are set to have a direct connection. The flight between New York and Tenerife South is to be extended – though with one restriction.
United Airlines has now announced this decision. According to the airline, the route between Tenerife and the east-coast metropolis has been so successful that extending it makes sense. However, this is a seasonal arrangement.
The direct flight is in high demand, particularly in winter. The airline most recently operated the route in summer as well. However, this route is now to be suspended for the time being. United has announced that it will resume flights to the Canary Islands for the 2025/26 winter season.
Direct flight from the Canary Islands to New York
Last year, buoyed by its winter success, United had included the route in its timetable for the 2024 summer season. However, bookings apparently fell short of expectations. According to the current winter timetable, three weekly flights will not be offered again until October 2025.
A Boeing 757-200 will be used for this route. The direct flights will operate between Tenerife South Airport and Newark Liberty International Airport. It is not yet possible to book these flights. However, it is considered likely that the slots on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays will be retained. The Boeing aircraft used offers 160 Economy Class seats and 16 Business Class seats.
US tourists love the Canary Islands as a winter destination
Visitors from the US particularly favour the Canary Islands as a destination to escape the cold winter. In 2023, around 36,500 US holidaymakers were welcomed to Tenerife, representing an increase of approximately 16.8 per cent compared with the previous year. This figure also includes cruise passengers, who traditionally dock in the Canary Islands during the winter. Figures for the current season are not expected until early 2025.
For the German partner, Lufthansa, the extended direct flight represents yet another indirect blow. The airline, known as the ‚Crane‘, normally operates European flights as part of the ‚Star Alliance‘ partnership. Under this arrangement, US travellers were flown to key European hubs and then transferred to connecting flights. However, United is now operating more and more non-stop services to destinations across Europe, including not only Tenerife but also airports on the Spanish mainland, as well as in Italy and Greece.
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