Air travel has been a mess in recent weeks, thanks to the longest-ever shutdown of the U.S. government. With TSA agents and air traffic controllers forced to work without pay, many did not come to work, and there were shortages. The result was that airlines had to substantially reduce flights.
Lawmakers have voted to reopen the government, but experts warn it could take time to restore normal travel.
For passengers who are tired of flight disruptions, getting back to business as usual sounds pretty great. However, flight cancellations and flight changes don’t happen only during government shutdowns.
United Airlines is canceling spring and summer flights in 2026
Airlines change their routes all the time for a variety of reasons, ranging from lack of consumer demand to strategic issues such as their preferred hub locations and priority customer segments.
For example, United Airlines recently revealed some changes for 2026.
Those include canceling a number of flights. The number of cancellations is high enough that Simple Flying reported the change was a “small but still noteworthy cut.”
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What flights is United Airlines canceling in 2026?
According to Simple Flying, United Airlines is canceling a number of flights that were part of its European network. The cancellations are happening ahead of the 2026 season.
Specifically, the United Airlines flights that are being cut from the airline’s schedule next year for the summer travel season include:
- Newark to Edinburg
- Newark to Brussels
- Newark to Frankfort
Related: Southwest Airlines adds another new rule making travel harder
The modifications to United Airlines’ flight network will go into effect in March of 2026 and May of 2026.
While this gives passengers some time to adjust their bookings, European travel can be more expensive than domestic travel, so it’s usually best to start looking for alternative flights sooner rather than later if you usually fly on United Airlines to these destinations.
How many 2026 flights is United Airlines cancelling?
According to Simple Flying, United Airlines will be reducing its services to Edinburgh, Brussels, and Frankfurt, down to just one flight daily.
This is a significant change because:
- United Airlines ran 11 flights between Newark and Frankfort last year, including a daily flight and another flight four times weekly.
- United operates a daily year-round flight between Newark and Brussels, but last summer, a second flight was also run daily and has now been canceled.
- United Airlines flew two daily flights between Newark and Edinburg Airport last year, with one flight operating year round and the second operating in summer. That second flight will not return.
United Airlines’ other flight schedule changes
United Airlines is making these cuts as it also launches four new routes to other areas from Newark.
Ultimately, United Airlines will have flights available to 36 different European cities in the summer of 2026. This is up from 32 in the summer of 2024, so travelers will have more choices.
But despite adding cities, the number of weekly departures is still expected to decrease. It will drop to 300 weekly departures in the upcoming summer, compared to 304 departures in the summer of 2026.
Given that United Airlines is canceling so many planned routes, travelers should make sure they explore their options for European travel in the upcoming summer season.
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Please make a free appointment with TheStreet’s Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472.
Related: American Airlines cancels flight permanently, offers refunds
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