United plans more flights at EWR

United Airlines is trying to grow again at Newark Liberty International Airport after a year in which the airport's reliability improved and the carrier posted what it called its best-ever on-time performance there in April and May. Scott Kirby, United's chief executive, said the airline wants to add flights, deploy larger aircraft and keep pushing for a new Terminal B at Newark, according to interviews published on June 2 and June 3. Newark is United's largest New York-area hub, and the airline has tied its expansion plans to operational gains after last year's disruptions. United said this week it expects more than 53 million travelers across its network this summer. ### Why is United talking about adding flights at Newark now? June 2 was the day United and Newark airport officials put new emphasis on performance data showing Newark leading major Northeast airports in on-time flights so far in 2026. United said it achieved its best-ever on-time rate at Newark in April and May while flying nearly 5.8 million passengers there. The airline also said it carried a record 3 million passengers across its network over the Memorial Day holiday, with nearly 70% arriving on time. (nj.com) Scott Kirby told NJ Advance Media that improving operations changed the conversation from recovery to growth. NorthJersey.com reported Kirby saying United is bullish on summer flying from Newark and wants to restore some flights while also using bigger planes to increase capacity. ### What does “more flights” actually mean? (united.mediaroom.com) Scott Kirby's comments point to two levers: increasing the number of departures and increasing the number of seats on existing departures. NJ Advance Media reported that United is looking to add some flights back into the Newark schedule and to operate larger aircraft where it can. That approach would let the airline grow without relying only on new runway or terminal capacity. (nj.com) United has used Newark as a growth hub before. In September 2025, the airline said it planned to serve more than 160 domestic and international destinations from Newark in the fall and winter season, more than any other airline in the New York City area, while adding service on routes including Rome, Venice, Porto, Marrakesh and Dublin. (nj.com) ### Why does Terminal B matter to United? Terminal B is Newark's oldest terminal, and its future is part of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey's longer-term redevelopment plan for the airport. NJ Advance Media reported in late May that the Port Authority would spend $200 million on interim upgrades to Terminal B while a replacement terminal is designed and built. That replacement is scheduled to open in the mid-2030s under Newark's broader vision plan. (united.mediaroom.com) Scott Kirby has said United wants to collaborate on that terminal work because terminal layout affects how many passengers the airport can handle and how efficiently airlines can operate. Newark already opened its $2.7 billion Terminal A in recent years, but Terminal B remains a major part of the airport for international and other operations. (nj.com) ### What changed after Newark's disruption period? Newark's recovery followed a period marked by FAA radar and radio outages, staffing shortages and runway construction, according to United's June 2 release. By this week, United and airport officials were highlighting improved staffing, technology work and a schedule more closely matched to airport capacity. (nj.com) The FAA has also kept limits on takeoffs and landings at Newark as part of managing congestion. Travel Weekly reported in September 2025 that the FAA had capped takeoffs and landings at 72 per hour through October 2026. Kirby said then that air traffic control staffing for Newark was being built back up and that technology investments, including a fiber-optic network, were helping support the operation. (united.mediaroom.com) ### What should travelers watch next? This summer is the next test for United's Newark plan because the airline expects more than 53 million travelers across its network and is trying to build on the airport's spring performance. The near-term milestones are operational: whether Newark keeps its on-time ranking through the peak summer months and whether United adds flights or upgauges aircraft in published schedules. On the infrastructure side, the Port Authority is moving ahead with Terminal B upgrade work now while planning for a replacement terminal in the mid-2030s. (travelweekly.com) (united.mediaroom.com)