United Airlines operates one of the most versatile fleets in the skies, and among its most dynamic aircraft is the Boeing 757. As of 2025, United owns 61 of these narrowbody jets—40 of the 757-200 variant and 21 of the longer 757-300s, all inherited from Continental Airlines. While the aircraft is aging, United continues to make strategic use of the 757, especially on routes that demand a blend of range, performance, and seat capacity.
Despite newer and more fuel-efficient aircraft entering the market, the 757 remains indispensable for United’s long, thin transatlantic routes and high-performance domestic operations. From European summer destinations to long-haul trips to South America and Hawaii, the 757 continues to deliver.
Here are the 10 longest Boeing 757 routes United Airlines plans to operate between May and December 2025, including both summer seasonal and year-round services.
Top 10 Longest United Airlines 757 Routes (May–December 2025)
These flights include both transatlantic and domestic services, with the majority operated by the 757-200 due to its longer range compared to the 757-300.
1. Newark (EWR) to Stockholm Arlanda (ARN)
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Distance: 3,415 nautical miles (6,328 km)
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Aircraft: 757-200
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Service: Daily, summer seasonal (June 5 – August 31)
United’s longest scheduled 757 flight in 2025—and the longest of its kind in the world—links Newark with the Swedish capital. Operating only during the summer season, this route demonstrates the aircraft’s transatlantic reach and its ability to serve thinner markets where widebodies would be excessive.
2. Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to Edinburgh (EDI)
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Distance: 3,226 nautical miles (5,975 km)
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Aircraft: 757-200
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Service: Daily, summer seasonal (May 1 – October 24)
This route is popular among U.S. travelers heading to Scotland, particularly during peak vacation season. With Edinburgh experiencing a tourism boom, United’s narrowbody service from Chicago is an efficient option for the summer rush.
3. Newark (EWR) to Brussels (BRU)
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Distance: 3,199 nautical miles (5,925 km)
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Aircraft: 757-200
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Service: Daily, summer seasonal (June 26 – October 24)
Brussels is an important Star Alliance hub, and United’s 757 allows for year-over-year continuity on this route during months when demand doesn’t warrant widebody aircraft.
4. Newark (EWR) to Málaga (AGP)
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Distance: 3,194 nautical miles (5,915 km)
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Aircraft: 757-200
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Service: Daily, summer seasonal (May 1 – September 23)
Málaga on Spain’s southern coast is a sunny leisure destination and a growing transatlantic market. The route reflects United’s strategic use of narrowbodies to reach Mediterranean vacation hubs.
5. Newark (EWR) to Lima (LIM)
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Distance: 3,155 nautical miles (5,843 km)
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Aircraft: 757-200
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Service: Year-round, mostly daily
Lima is United’s only South American 757 destination and one of the longest-running 757 routes in the world. It has been operated since 1996 by Continental and, post-merger, by United. It remains a staple in United’s long-haul narrowbody operations.
6. Chicago O’Hare (ORD) to Shannon (SNN)
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Distance: 3,120 nautical miles (5,778 km)
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Aircraft: 757-200
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Service: Daily, summer seasonal (May 22 – September 23)
This service caters to Irish-Americans and tourists seeking a gateway to western Ireland. It’s another case where the 757 allows United to fly to smaller transatlantic cities profitably.
7. Newark (EWR) to Bilbao (BIO)
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Distance: 3,092 nautical miles (5,726 km)
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Aircraft: 757-200
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Service: Daily, summer seasonal (May 31 – September 23)
Bilbao is one of United’s newest European destinations, located in Spain’s Basque Country. This launch highlights United’s continued expansion into underserved European cities with the 757.
8. Newark (EWR) to Faro (FAO)
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Distance: 3,036 nautical miles (5,623 km)
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Aircraft: 757-200
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Service: Daily, summer seasonal (May 16 – September 22)
Faro, Portugal is another new leisure destination for 2025, serving travelers heading to the Algarve region. The 757 enables United to test new routes with limited demand.
9. Washington Dulles (IAD) to Edinburgh (EDI)
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Distance: 3,021 nautical miles (5,595 km)
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Aircraft: 757-200
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Service: Year-round (daily in summer; 5x weekly in winter)
This route has transitioned to year-round service, one of the few transatlantic 757 routes to do so. Though demand dips in winter, it remains part of a strategic commitment to the Scottish market.
10. Denver (DEN) to Lihue, Hawaii (LIH)
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Distance: 2,967 nautical miles (5,495 km)
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Aircraft: 757-200
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Service: Daily, year-round
Domestically, this is United’s longest 757-200 route. Flying over 2,900 nautical miles across the Pacific, this service to Hawaii proves the aircraft’s versatility and performance from Denver’s high-altitude airport.
Dulles–Edinburgh: United’s Second-Longest Winter 757 Route
With Edinburgh seeing surging U.S. demand and marketing support from tourism boards, United has increased its commitment with year-round flights from Washington Dulles. Despite the city’s seasonality, this service remains one of United’s longest narrowbody routes in the off-peak months. However, performance during the low-demand winter period is uncertain. United’s load factors on this route in early 2024 ranged between 68% and 76%, and service will temporarily pause from early January to mid-February 2025 before resuming.
The 757-300: Longest Route Is Domestic
United’s larger 757-300s are used exclusively for domestic flights, prioritizing capacity over range. With 234 seats, these jets are deployed on high-demand routes where efficiency is key. According to Cirium Diio data, the average stage length for a 757-300 flight is just 1,393 nautical miles—much shorter than its 757-200 counterpart.
The longest 757-300 route scheduled is between San Francisco (SFO) and Fort Lauderdale (FLL) at 2,245 nautical miles (4,158 km). Operated only on select weekends between May 23 and August 16, this route will mark the 757-300’s debut on this city pair. Outside these peak dates, it will be served by the 737 MAX 8 or 9.
Conclusion
Despite being decades old, the Boeing 757 remains vital to United Airlines’ operations, particularly on long-haul routes that don’t support larger aircraft. Whether flying to northern Europe or Hawaii, the 757 offers the perfect mix of performance, range, and flexibility. As newer aircraft like the Airbus A321XLR enter the fleet in the coming years, the 757’s role will eventually shrink. But in 2025, it’s still very much soaring across oceans and continents for United.
