United Airlines will introduce non-stop flights between Newcastle, England, and its New York hub, Newark Liberty International Airport, from May 23rd.

Flying five times weekly until September 7th next year, the launch is subject to government approval. 

It will be Newcastle’s first scheduled non-stop transatlantic service.

Flight UA159 will depart Newcastle daily except Wednesday and Thursday at 09:10, arriving at New York/Newark at 12:00 the same day. 

The return flight, UA160, will depart New York/Newark daily except Tuesday and Wednesday at 19:20, arriving in Newcastle at 07:30 the following day.

Flight times will be seven hours 50 minutes westbound and seven hours ten minutes eastbound.

“We’re very excited about introducing non-stop flights to New York from Newcastle next summer,” said Bob Schumacher, United managing director sales, UK & Ireland.

“We’ll be offering the people of Northeast England easy, convenient travel options not only to New York City but also to destinations throughout the Americas. 

“United already offers transatlantic service from more cities in the UK than any other airline and we’ve every reason to be confident that this new service will be a success.”

The flights will be operated by Boeing 757-200 aircraft with a total of 169 seats – 16 flat-bed seats in United BusinessFirst and 153 in United Economy, including 45 Economy Plus seats with added legroom and increased personal space.

Newcastle Airport chief executive David Laws said: “For many years, and everywhere I go, people have been stopping me and asking ‘when is the north-east going to get a New York service?

“I have been clear throughout that this is a route that we have been determined to deliver for the region. 

“We have been carefully and quietly working behind the scenes, with our shareholders, to secure what will be another game-changing new route.

“I am delighted today that we are finally able to make the announcement everyone has been hoping for. 

“United Airlines is the best airline to operate this service.

“They have an exceptional track record of linking UK regions to their New York/Newark hub, where customers can then connect to over one hundred onward destinations.”