May 16, 2022 - The latest flight news to Croatia as the highly anticipated seasonal United Airlines Dubrovnik flight from New York returns at the end of the month!

United Airlines is renewing its regular seasonal route between New York (Newark Airport) and Dubrovnik in a few weeks. The line started operating last year and has proven to be very successful for the American airline, reports Croatian Aviation. 

United Airlines will soon return to Croatia when the first wide-body aircraft from New York will land at Dubrovnik Airport. United introduced this line last summer, shortly after Croatia announced clear criteria for entry from the United States into Croatia. The American Delta Air Lines did the same, so the two airlines offered 8 weekly flights between New York (John F. Kennedy and Newark Airports) and Dubrovnik.

Delta gave up the line to Dubrovnik this winter, leaving room to return to southern Croatia next summer, but United took the opportunity to be the only airline to offer a direct connection between the United States and Croatia.

United Airlines B767-300ER aircraft will operate four times a week on the route between New York and Dubrovnik, departing from Dubrovnik every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, from May 29 to September 29 this year.

Last summer, United Airlines operated on a regular route from the beginning of July to the end of September, while this year the operations start at the end of May and remain in operation until the end of September. Thanks to a longer flight availability period, the airline is offering 8,000 more seats this summer season compared to last year (29,960 compared to 21,928 seats from the 2021 summer season).

Croatia Airlines and United Airlines, two Star Alliance Group members, have signed a code-share agreement, so it is possible to buy tickets on the website of the American carrier departing from Zagreb to New York with a transfer in Dubrovnik.

For more on flights to Croatia and other travel announcements, make sure to check out our dedicated travel section.

April 28, 2022 - The latest flight news to Croatia as the United Airlines Dubrovnik route is seeing strong demand from Newark Airport, connecting the US with the Adriatic Pearl from May 27 this year.   

United Airlines will continue flights between New York's Newark Airport and Dubrovnik this year, resuming operations on May 27 with a planned four-weekly rotation. Furthermore, the American carrier has expanded its flight program to Dubrovnik with services until the end of the 2022 summer season, which is October 26. 

“We have not seen any softness in terms of demand [to Croatia]”, said Patrick Quayle, United’s Senior Vice President of International Network and Alliances. He added that the first flight of the season is already sold out in business class from Newark, reports Ex Yu Aviation.

However, Quayle commented that some connections in further east in countries like Poland and Romania, served by United’s partner Lufthansa, could see an impact on demand. 

Last year, United Airlines flew from June 2 to early October and offered more than 22,500 seats in both directions on its four-weekly flight between New York and Dubrovnik. This year, all flights will be operated by a Boeing 767-300 aircraft.

On the other hand, Delta will not continue flights with the Croatian coastal city this summer, after launching flights from New York's JFK Airport last year. A similar scenario happened with American Airlines, which introduced seasonal flights from Philadelphia to Dubrovnik in 2019, and was due to return in 2020 with additional services and capacity. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the airline postponed the route indefinitely.

“Flights from the US performed well above our expectations. These incoming tourists stay in Dubrovnik, which serves as a base for them to explore other places - nearby islands and Dalmatia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Furthermore, these flights are important as they have enabled cargo transport to the United States. As a result, each aircraft departs with around ten tons of exportable goods to the States," Dubrovnik Airport General Manager, Frano Luetić, said last year for Ex Yu Aviation.

For more on flights to Croatia and other travel announcements, make sure to check out our dedicated travel section.

March 17, 2022 - The latest flight news to Croatia as United Airlines Dubrovnik flights return from May 27, connecting Newark Airport and the Adriatic Pearl until October 26 this year. 

Dubrovacki Dnevnik and Ex Yu Aviation have announced that United Airlines will continue flights between New York's Newark Airport and Dubrovnik this year. The carrier will resume operations on May 27 with a planned four-weekly rotation. Furthermore, the American carrier has expanded its flight program to Dubrovnik with services until the end of the 2022 summer season, which is October 26.

Last year, United Airlines flew from June 2 to early October and offered more than 22,500 seats in both directions on its four-weekly flight between New York and Dubrovnik. This year, all flights will be operated by a Boeing 767-300 aircraft.

On the other hand, Delta will not continue flights with the Croatian coastal city this summer, after launching flights from New York's JFK Airport last year. A similar scenario happened with American Airlines, which introduced seasonal flights from Philadelphia to Dubrovnik in 2019, and was due to return in 2020 with additional services and capacity. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the airline postponed the route indefinitely.

Brian Znotins, vice president of network and scheduling at American Airlines, said the company would "undertake a holistic assessment" of its Dubrovnik route in the coming years to determine whether it would potentially resume flights, depending on how demand and competition have changed.

“There’s nothing to say we won’t necessarily restart flights,” Znotins said, adding that Philadelphia is a “natural attraction” for using new aircraft coming to boost service in Europe. 

“Flights from the US performed well above our expectations. These incoming tourists stay in Dubrovnik, which serves as a base for them to explore other places - nearby islands and Dalmatia, Montenegro, and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Furthermore, these flights are important as they have enabled cargo transport to the United States. As a result, each aircraft departs with around ten tons of exportable goods to the States," Dubrovnik Airport General Manager, Frano Luetić, said last year for Ex Yu Aviation.

For more on flights to Croatia and other travel announcements, make sure to check out our dedicated travel section.

October 11, 2021 - United Airlines flights to Dubrovnik have been extended until the end of October next year!

After an extremely successful summer season in which United Airlines launched a route between New York and Dubrovnik (from July to early October), they have announced more flights to Dubrovnik Airport next summer, reports Croatian Aviation.

United introduced a regular line between Dubrovnik and New York in early July this year. Three flights a week were announced which quickly increased to four times a week from the beginning of July to the beginning of October this year.

Encouraged by the great interest, the airline has already announced the continuation of traffic between Dubrovnik and New York in the summer flight schedule next year.

Unlike this year, next summer, United Airlines plans to launch the first flight between Dubrovnik and New York at the end of May (May 27, 2022). This summer season, the last flight was at the very beginning of October, and for next year, United plans regular operations until the very end of October (October 26, 2022). Thus, this line will be in traffic for a full two months longer next summer compared to this season.

Unlike United, Delta Air Lines, which also operated regularly between New York and Dubrovnik this summer, has not yet released tickets on this route for next summer season. If this route doesn't relaunch, United may increase its capacity to Dubrovnik, either by introducing a larger type of aircraft or by increasing weekly rotations.

With the announcement that Croatian citizens will no longer need visas to visit the USA from December 1 this year, and with 8 weekly operations between Dubrovnik and New York this summer, another regular line from the United States to Croatia may be announced for next summer season, concludes Croatian Aviation.

For more information about flights to Croatia, follow the dedicated TCN section.

To learn more about Osijek Airport, click here. 

October 3, 2021 - United Airlines Dubrovnik flights will continue next year from May 27 and run even longer - until October 26!

Great news for Dubrovnik Airport as United Airlines announced they would continue on the New York (Newark Airport)-Dubrovnik route next summer, citing an incredible season this year, reports Ex Yu Aviation. 

The United Airlines 2021 summer schedule ended on Saturday, October 2, though the airline will resume flights from Newark from May 27, 2022. The route will run 4 times a week, on Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday and the schedule will run even later next year, until October 26. United operated this route using Boeing 767-300 aircraft.

“We feel really bullish about Europe for next summer. We had a look of that this summer. We started in a few new markets. In fact, we loaded those for sale very late. And those new markets are actually, some of our top performing city fares, because Croatia and Greece in particular, made it clear to the world that they were open for business. And in fact, our customers responded to it immediately, and our new flights degrees did incredibly well," said United’s Chief Commercial Officer, Andrew Nocella, emphasizing that the service was launched for American citizens and residents as they were allowed to travel to Croatia throughout the coronavirus pandemic. 

“Flights from the US performed well above our expectations. These incoming tourists stay in Dubrovnik, which serves as a base for them to explore other places - nearby islands and Dalmatia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Furthermore, these flights are important as they have enabled cargo transport to the United States. As a result, each aircraft departs with around ten tons of exportable goods to the States," said General Manager of Dubrovnik Airport, Frano Luetić. 

Recall, both United and Delta Air Lines launched flights from New York this year, though Delta operated from JFK Airport. Ex Yu Aviation adds that Delta likely won't restore flights to the Croatian coast next summer as the airline has already scheduled all of its European routes introduced this year.

For more information about flights to Croatia, follow the dedicated TCN section.

To learn more about Osijek Airport, click here. 

May 19, 2021 - The latest flight news to Croatia as United Airlines flights to Dubrovnik will begin a week earlier than initially planned!

Croatian Aviation reports that just a few days after announcing an additional flight (from 3 to 4 flights a week) on the new route between New York and Dubrovnik, United Airlines made another operational change.

On April 18, United Airlines announced that it would introduce the New York-Dubrovnik-New York route in this year's summer flight schedule. The line was originally announced from July 8, three times a week, with departures from New York on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, and return from Dubrovnik a day later, until October 3 this year.

In the meantime, Delta Air Lines also announced the introduction of a direct route to Dubrovnik (also from New York, John F. Kennedy Airport). However, the airline planned to launch the route a week before United and operate on it four times a week, with one flight a week more than United.

United subsequently announced that it would still increase the number of operations to Dubrovnik and thus equalize Delta's number of flights, which happened, and both companies now offer four flights a week to Dubrovnik from July.

"As we start to see a strong desire from our customers to travel internationally to re-opened countries, we are excited to move up service and add a fourth weekly flight to Dubrovnik, Croatia," said Patrick Quayle, vice president of international network and alliances at United.  

As of Tuesday, United Airlines is offering a direct flight to Dubrovnik earlier than originally planned. Namely, the inaugural flight was pushed up to a week earlier, and the first plane from New York will take off for Dubrovnik on Thursday, July 1. The earlier launch of this line will provide an additional 1,712 seats between the two cities.

Follow the latest on flights to Croatia HERE and the latest travel updates and COVID-19 news from Croatia HERE.

For more on travel in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

April 25, 2021 - From incredible flight news to The Total Croatia Travel INFO (TCTI) Viber community winning an award, the past week has been exciting. Here are TCN's five highlights of the week in Croatia from April 19 to 25, 2021.

The week started with the exciting introduction of a new direct route between New York and Dubrovnik. While things may have taken a slight turn in the middle of the week, the latest news regarding The Total Croatia Travel INFO Viber community ended the week on a high. From Monday to Sunday, we list five events featured on Croatia's news portals on the front pages.

Highlights of the week: TCTI Viber Community, Manjgura, Mediacor Wins 2021 Crisis Management PR Grand Prix 

The Total Croatia Travel INFO (TCTI) Viber community, in partnership with Manjgura and Mediacor, has won the 2021 HUOJ International Grand Prix Award for Crisis Communication. It was a project with a total investment of just 2,000 kunas (US $320) that generated more than 10 million euros of tourism spend for the Croatian economy in 2020. 

Although the award is associated with TCN, it actually goes to the partners, Croatia's oldest PR agency, Manjgura, and Mediacor. You can check out Manjgura services here and Mediacor here. The project was conceived by Manjgura founder Kreso Macan, who had the vision to see the need and the determination and drive to pull off the project. It was a masterclass of how to achieve the goal. 

Highlights of the week: Forbes Included Istria in 50 Spectacular Places to Visit Post-Pandemic 

Another recognition of Croatia's beauty and tourist offer as the American magazine Forbes included Istria among 50 spectacular destinations for post-pandemic travels. The article states that Istria is an ideal destination for all gastronomy lovers who wish to taste quality olive oil, truffles, prosciutto, wine, and seafood in Istria. It also emphasizes the beauty of Istrian towns and their excellent geographical position.

Srecko Niketic

"Foodies should consider Croatia's Istrian Peninsula for their next taste-testing vacation. As the crow flies, you're practically in Italy; in fact, there's a ferry that runs between Venice and Pula, Croatia. You'll find truffles, olive oil, prosciutto, wine, and all types of seafood, plus delicacies that are 100% Croatian.

This region is popular with European travelers, but Americans are only just beginning to visit. If you go, be sure to split your time between a coastal city (such as Rovinj or Pula) and inland villages (hill-top Motovun is a favorite)," writes Forbes.

Highlights of the week: United Airlines Flights to Croatia Announced with New York-Dubrovnik Line this Summer! 

United Airlines, one of the largest American airlines, is launching a direct route between the United States and Croatia! After American Airlines permanently canceled the Philadelphia-Dubrovnik route due to the global pandemic, Croatia will directly connect with the United States. 

Pixabay

Croatia has met all the conditions for abolishing tourist visas to enter the United States, and American guests can plan a vacation in Croatia this summer, so United decided to be the first to react and introduce a direct line to Dubrovnik from New York this summer! United will operate to Dubrovnik as early as July 8 this year with three flights per week. Departures from New York are planned on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays, with the return from Dubrovnik a day later.

Highlights of the week: Croatian Tennis Federation Rejects Established Croatia Player for Brother's Social Media Posts? 

A member of the Croatian tennis community and organizer of the Croatia Bol Open, Feliks Lukas, announced on his Facebook page that the Croatian Tennis Federation (HTS) rejected the request of his sister, Tena Lukas, to play at the ITF Zagreb Ladies Open. 

"The Croatian Tennis Federation rejected the request to invite the seven-time senior national team member and #268 WTA tennis player of the world to the ITF Zagreb Ladies Open, explaining it to Tena as follows:

'Because of your brother's Facebook posts, you are not a candidate for an invitation to the tournament!'

Davor Javorovic

Namely, in its defense, HTS stated that the mentioned tennis player Tena Lukas did not get a wild card because she has practically not been able to beat anyone lately. "As a member of the Croatia national team, Tena Lukas was certainly among the candidates for an invitation to the Zagreb Ladies Open because she deserved this opportunity with her performances in the former Fed Cup (now the Billie Jean King Cup) and on an individual level. However, her latest results were crucial not to be shortlisted this time: she played seven tournaments this year, and she was eliminated in all seven in the first round, either in the main event or in the qualifiers."

Highlights of the week: Croatia Rally Day One: Belgian Driver Thierry Neuville in the Lead 

The 2021 Croatia Rally, part of one of the world's most attractive auto racing competitions (World Rally Championship - WRC), is being held from April 22 to 25 this year. The race is held on across three counties, on the local roads of Zagreb, Karlovac, and Krapina-Zagorje counties.

Luka Stanzl

The two-day race began on Friday with Belgian driver Thierry Neuville (Hyundai i20) leads with three-morning victories on the WRC Croatia Rally day one. Even with small delays in the four-afternoon specials, he kept the top spot, while the current and seven-time world champion Frenchman Sebastien Ogier broke into second place (Toyota Yaris).

To follow all news from Croatia, subscribe to our newsletter.

April 21, 2021 - After announcing it would introduce the New York-Dubrovnik line this July, will United Airlines consider New York-Zagreb flights? 

TCN announced the big news on Monday that United Airlines will introduce the New York - Dubrovnik - New York route in July this year. 

The first flight to Dubrovnik will take off from New York to Dubrovnik Airport on Thursday, July 8 (in 80 days) at 19:20 local time. The night overseas flight to Dubrovnik will take approximately 8 hours and 55 minutes, with the expected landing in Dubrovnik after 10 am. 

The B767-300ER aircraft, of which United Airlines has 38 in its fleet, will stay in Dubrovnik for two full hours. Departure from Dubrovnik is scheduled at 12:15 pm. The flight to New York will take a little over 10 hours, with the expected landing in New York at 16:25 local time.

The first departure from Dubrovnik is planned for Saturday, July 10, so the United Airlines plane will stay at Dubrovnik Airport for more than 24 hours.

From the beginning of July to the beginning of October, this well-known American carrier will land in Dubrovnik every Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday morning (taking off the day before from the USA).

On 38 return flights between Dubrovnik and New York, United Airlines has 16,264 seats on sale, of which 2,280 seats are available in business class. The cabin configuration in economy class is 2-3-2, while in business class, the seat layout is 2-1-2. You can read more about the new service HERE.

But this isn't the only United Airlines flight to Croatia in the works. 

Namely, United Airlines confirmed to EX-YU Aviation News it is “seeking additional opportunities in Croatia”.

"According to global data provider OAG, in 2019, 298.136 passengers flew indirectly between Croatia and the United States, with a further 17.782 on the Philadelphia - Dubrovnik service, which has since been discontinued. The busiest unserved route was Zagreb - New York, which accounted for 10% of all traffic between the two markets. It was followed by Dubrovnik - New York, which is being launched this summer, then Zagreb - Chicago, Split - New York and Zagreb - Los Angeles," explained EX-YU Aviation News, and provided the following graphs: 

Almost three decades have passed since the New York-Zagreb route operated, and if we hadn't gone through the coronavirus pandemic, we may have seen this connection already last year, as former Tourism Minister Gari Capelli said two years ago:

"Following the arrangement with American Airlines between Philadelphia and Dubrovnik this summer, which will act as a trial run, we are already in advanced talks for the introduction of a nonstop service from New York to Zagreb. I hope that we will have this route operational next summer". 

So, will United Airlines launch New York-Zagreb flights next? We will have to wait and see. 

Follow the latest on flights to Croatia HERE and the latest travel updates and COVID-19 news from Croatia HERE.

For more on travel in Croatia, follow TCN's dedicated page.

Croatia and the USA may not be so far away in the near future.