United Airlines Sees 30% Surge in Travel to European Christmas Markets

United Airlines has reported a nearly 30% increase in bookings to European destinations for the 2024 holiday season, as more Americans choose to spend their holiday budgets on unique travel experiences rather than traditional gifts. This surge in bookings reflects the growing popularity of Europe’s iconic Christmas markets, which attract millions of visitors each year with festive offerings like mulled wine, artisan crafts, live music, and picturesque scenery.

United Airlines' Busiest Holiday Travel Season

As the world's largest airline, United is preparing for its busiest holiday season ever, with nearly 60 nonstop flights daily from its U.S. hubs to Europe in November and December. United will offer more nonstop flights to European destinations than any other U.S. airline, connecting travelers to some of the most popular holiday markets in cities like Dresden, Strasbourg, Vienna, and Cologne.

United’s Festive Flight Schedule

United’s most popular European destinations during the holiday period include London, Frankfurt, Munich, Paris, and Brussels. The airline's festive schedule highlights include:

• Daily nonstop flights to 16 European cities with holiday markets, including Berlin, Frankfurt, Munich, Edinburgh, Zurich, Amsterdam, Brussels, London, and Paris.
• Seventeen nonstop flights per day to London from United's U.S. hubs.
• More nonstop flights than any other U.S. airline to Frankfurt, Munich, and Brussels.
• Exclusive nonstop flights to Geneva and Berlin, year-round.
• Partnership with Lufthansa Group and Deutsche Bahn to connect travelers to even more European markets, including nearly 100 additional destinations such as Cologne, Helsinki, Salzburg, and Strasbourg.

Access to Historic Christmas Markets

Travelers can visit some of Europe’s most beloved holiday markets with United’s services, including:

• Vienna, home to one of the most iconic European Christmas markets.
• Dresden, with the legendary Striezelmarkt, first held in 1434.
• Trains to 28 cities in Germany and Switzerland, connecting passengers to additional holiday markets once in Europe.

Busiest Holiday Period on Record

United expects the 2024 holiday season to be its busiest yet, with around 25 million passengers traveling, a 6% increase from 2023. The airline has implemented several operational enhancements to ensure a smooth experience, including:

• Weather preparedness with approximately 150 de-icing trucks to handle winter conditions.
• ConnectionSaver technology to help passengers make tight connections.
• Touchless ID for a seamless airport experience with TSA PreCheck®.
• Real-time updates through United's mobile app, including personalized trip alerts and live radar maps.
• Free family seating, allowing children under 12 to sit next to an adult at no extra charge.

United's Commitment to Service Excellence

United's increased holiday flights and innovative customer service features are designed to offer passengers a safe, efficient, and enjoyable travel experience, helping them visit Europe's most enchanting Christmas markets with ease.