“A United Airlines has launched its first direct service between Madeira Airport and its hub in New York/Newark, operating three times a week during the summer season until September 24, 2025,” the airline stated in a communiqué released by ANA – Aeroportos de Portugal.
The connections between Madeira and New York, operated by a Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, will take place at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Sundays. Departures from New York to the island are scheduled for 8:55 p.m. on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
This seasonal service offers a total of 166 seats per flight, as mentioned in the announcement.
“The new service from Madeira adds to United’s existing year-round daily flights from Lisbon to New York/Newark, almost daily year-round service from Lisbon to Washington D.C., seasonal daily services from Porto and Ponta Delgada, Azores, to New York/Newark, as well as a new seasonal flight from Faro to New York/Newark, operating since May 17,” the airline highlights.
Quoted in the note, ANA|VINCI Airports Commercial Director, Karen Strougo, emphasizes that with this new route, United is now present in the five main national airports, considering it “a significant milestone in strengthening the air link between Portugal and the United States.”
“The opening of this route results from coordinated work between ANA, Turismo de Portugal, and the Regional Government of Madeira, demonstrating a shared commitment to the region’s growth,” she emphasizes.
Also quoted in the statement, Carlos Abade, President of Turismo de Portugal, underscores that this operation is part of a strategy aiming to “seize opportunities in strategic markets like the United States” to “promote responsible tourism growth.”
On his part, the Regional Secretary of Tourism, Environment and Culture of Madeira states that the start of this route “represents a milestone for Madeira and reinforces the Region’s positioning in the competitive North American tourist market.”
“This new direct route presents itself as a bridge of opportunities, growth, and international recognition for the Autonomous Region of Madeira,” he adds.
