For the third consecutive year, United Airlines will connect New York with Tenerife via direct flights, and this year, the service will also extend into the winter season.
The connection between Newark Liberty International Airport (New Jersey) and Tenerife South Airport will commence on 1 June, offering three weekly flights in each direction. The service will continue until at least the end of March 2025, providing a total of 23,400 seats.
Lope Afonso, vice-president and tourism councillor of the Island Council, highlighted the significance of this development for Tenerife’s air connectivity, stating, “This agreement, which has been in the works for a long time, represents a unique opportunity to consolidate Tenerife as a desirable destination in a key outbound market. The North American market aligns well with our strategy for sustainable tourism management, given its interest in the island’s values, cultural offerings, and spending capacity.”
Afonso emphasized that this initiative will help reduce the island’s reliance on other traditional markets. Similarly, Dimple Melwani, CEO of Tenerife Tourism, expressed excitement about the extended service, noting the growing interest from travelers in the United States and Canada. “The extension of the direct flight for the winter is crucial for Tenerife’s strategy to attract high-value tourists with longer stays and greater spending capacity,” Melwani said, adding that it also opens business opportunities in various sectors, including audiovisual, MICE, green energy, digital economy, and innovation.
Antonio de Toro, United Airlines’ Country Sales Manager for Spain, stated, “As the only airline connecting North America with the Canary Islands, we are delighted to return to Tenerife with expanded service that now includes the winter season, offering customers on both sides of the Atlantic greater travel options.”
United’s service will operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from the United States (switching to Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays during winter) and on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays from Tenerife (switching to Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays during winter). The approximately seven-hour flight will be operated with a Boeing 757-200 aircraft, featuring 176 seats: 16 in United PolarisSM business class and 160 in economy class, including 42 Economy PlusSM seats with extra legroom.
United Airlines: Booming Market
The number of US tourists staying in Tenerife’s accommodations rose to 36,531 last year, up from 26,507 in 2022. In the first three months of 2024, US tourist numbers increased by 16.8% compared to the same period in 2023, with 62% of these visits occurring in the winter months.
Tenerife’s strategy in the North American market has strengthened in recent years. The island is promoted by tour operators like Apple Leisure Group Vacations and is a member of the United States Tour Operators Association (USTOA), the Virtuoso travel agency network, the American Society of Travel Advisors (ASTA), the Travel Leaders Network, and Signature Travel Network, which has over 15,000 travel advisors.
