United Airlines is betting on a summer rebound in leisure demand and on its new Malpensa-Chicago flights, says Country Sales Manager Italy, Walter Cianciusi.
Walter Cianciusi “This is a record-breaking operation. Never before have we operated up to eight daily flights from Italy (up from six in 2019) and we are looking at an increase of about 35% in seats offered., Although February is traditionally a stalemate month there are encouraging signs from bookings. Especially for Naples and the new Milan Malpensa-Chicago, together with the second daily Rome-New York flight and the return of the usual seasonal Venice flight."Naples is the gateway to the Amalfi Coast for American visitors
United Airlines’ summer flights especially to Naples and Venice, but with significant shares also to Rome and Milan, appeal in particular to inbound traffic. “Naples confirms its appeal also as a gateway to Sorrento and the Amalfi Coast, which is very popular with American visitors."
Connections from Chicago to the West Coast of the USA
The new Malpensa-Chicago B787-8 flights start on 7 May, and United will be the only carrier to operate direct services between Milan and New York. “Our departure time from Malpensa (15.10) will allow passengers from a very large catchment area - from Turin to Venice - to benefit from the flight. The evening arrival (18.00) will give access to a large number of connections from our network, starting from those to the West Coast, California in primis."
“High fuel prices could affect fares."
"We are confident about the recovery of travel and the appeal of the US-Italy flights, although the corporate sector will still not be at full capacity (Iata estimates this will rebound in 2024) and this is a penalizing factor. Then there is the new challenge of high fuel prices, which could affect fares."
Up to eight daily United Airlines flights from Italy
United’s Italian summer sees the Rome Fiumicino-New York Newark doubling with a second daily seasonal flight, from 27 May. “This is in addition to the annual flight and to the seasonal Washington and Chicago flights operating respectively from 27 March and 7 May. Summer flights from Venice and Naples to New York are back, from 6 and 2 May; and from Milan Malpensa the daily flight to New York will be flanked by the brand new seasonal flight to Chicago, also starting on 7 May.”
