United Airlines first direct New York–Split flight lands
- by croatiaweek
- in News
United Airlines and the Croatian National Tourist Board have marked the launch of the first direct flight connecting New York/Newark with Split, establishing a new transatlantic link to the heart of the Dalmatian coast.
The new service to Split Airport represents the first regular non-stop connection between the United States and central Dalmatia. It builds on the airline’s existing seasonal Newark–Dubrovnik route, further strengthening its presence in the Croatian market.
A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held in United’s VIP lounge ahead of the inaugural departure, attended by senior officials and industry representatives. Among those present were Patrick Quayle, Senior Vice President for Global Network Planning and Alliances at United Airlines, and Nikica Kopačević, Consul General of the Republic of Croatia in New York.
Representatives of the Croatian National Tourist Board’s New York office, along with Croatian and international media, also attended. Senior United Airlines representatives were among the first passengers on the flight and took part in a welcome event upon arrival in Split, alongside US media and travel content creators.
(Photo: HTZ)
Leila Krešić-Jurić, Director of the Croatian National Tourist Board for North America, highlighted the growing interest from the US market.
She noted that the new route reflects increasing demand among American travellers for Croatia and will encourage further exploration of the Dalmatian coast, its islands and high-end tourism experiences.
The United States continues to be one of Croatia’s most important long-haul markets. In 2025, American visitors recorded more than 850,000 arrivals and 2.4 million overnight stays.
This represents a year-on-year increase of 9% in arrivals and 10% in overnight stays, underlining sustained growth in demand.
Improved access to Dalmatia
The introduction of the direct New York–Split service significantly improves accessibility to central and southern Dalmatia. It is expected to further position Split as a key gateway for international visitors, providing easier connections not only to the city itself but also to surrounding coastal and island destinations.
