US carrier United Airlines announced a new Luxembourg–Newark daily route on Tuesday, marking a major development for the Grand Duchy's aviation sector and restoring a direct transatlantic connection that has been absent for 25 years.
The new service will make United the first US airline to offer a direct connection from Luxembourg to the United States since previous attempts at transatlantic services ended in the late 1990s ran by Icelandair.
From 2 April 2027, United Airlines is expected to operate the route from Luxembourg Airport to Newark Liberty International Airport, one of the main airports serving the New York metropolitan area, located in the state of New Jersey. All new routes are "subject to government approval", according to a United Airlines official statement.
The aircraft in question is the Airbus A321XLR, which has a capacity of up to 244 passengers.
The driving force behind the new route is US Ambassador to Luxembourg Stacey Feinberg, who emphasised the importance of such a flight: "Our two countries share so much, and it is important to make it easier for us to meet one another."
The airline announced a large expansion of its new destinations including Luxembourg. Prior to the announcement, United Airlines released a teaser video with easter eggs revealing clues to the destinations.
As the crow flies, Newark Liberty International Airport is located 18.31km away from Grand Central Station in Manhattan, New York, but there are a number of ways in which travellers can commute.
The most convenient is the Newark Airport Express bus, which takes around 1 hour and 10 minutes, depending on traffic, and costs $25. The journey is cheaper and faster by rail, however, multiple transfers are needed: first take the AirTrain from the airport, then change at New York Penn Station, then take the New York City subway to Grand Central. This option will set you back $15–$17.
The most expensive option is via taxi, where prices range between $77–$120 plus tolls and a tip. Your estimated travel time relies heavily on Manhattan traffic and could take anywhere between 35–70 minutes.
