United Airlines adds direct flight to Faro, Portugal - AFAR

The swimsuit shopping season starts now, thanks to United.

The warmest coastline in Portugal.

Portugal's southern region, the Algarve, has the warmest weather in the country and a spectacular coastline dotted with golden cliffs, white sand beaches and cozy cobbled town streets. While this idyllic Atlantic coastal getaway is no secret to Europeans, it still remains relatively obscure to travelers from further afield. This is due, in part, to the fact that it's not easy for American travelers to get there from the US. The Algarve is a few hours south of Lisbon, so to get there from''United States, it usually takes a significant amount of time and a combination of planes, trains and automobiles. But starting next spring, traveling to this Portuguese region from the United States will become much easier.

Direct United Airlines flight

On May 24, United Airlines will begin operating the first and only direct flight between the United States and Faro, Portugal - the Algarve's main airport. United will operate the new route four times a week with Boeing 757-200 aircraft between Newark, New Jersey and Faro. The new direct flight will complement United's existing year-round flights between Newark and Lisbon, as well as seasonal flights between Washington Dulles and Lisbon, Newark and Porto, Newark and Ponta Delgada in the Azores. Algarve -''t is not only a series of beautiful beaches; towns, such as centrally located Faro, will also be able to charm visitors.

Schedule and flight information

United Airlines Flight UA 281 will depart Newark Airport at 9:50 p.m. local time and arrive at Faro International Airport approximately 7 hours and 10 minutes later at 10:00 a.m. the following morning local time.

Flight UA 281 from Newark will operate on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays. Flight UA 282 from Faro will operate on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

There are 16 United Polaris business class seats aboard United's Boeing 757-200 (now with''popping out of the waters off the coast of Lagos in the western Algarve region (and the nearby Benahil Cave, which is not to be missed), to the cobbled streets of Tavira on the eastern edge, this coastal region attracts surfers and sun worshippers alike, as well as culture buffs who want toto get away from the crowds of the big cities. They can do so in smaller southern Portuguese towns like Faro and Lagos, which soak up the charm but are notable for their lack of large crowds.

Where to stay

Travelers to the Algarve don't have to worry about fancy accommodation, whether it's staying in cozy hotels such as Casa Céu, in the fishing town of Olhão, or Aldeia da Pedralva, in the small town of Vila do Bispu na'. 'West end of the Algarve, where you can rent a restored historic house. You can venture even further off the beaten path by staying at Pensaõ Agrícola in rural Barrocal, where you and a small number of guests can enjoy shopping at the private pool in near seclusion (and if you fancy the beach, you can book a tuk-tuk for transportation to the ocean). At the sunny and cheerful Casa Mãe in Lagos, guests can choose from airy cabins, rooms in a 19th-century manor house, or a modern hotel building overlooking the city. Book a casita at Casa Mãe in Lagos.

Expanding United's transportation to Europe

Although Faro, Portugal, will be United's only new European destination in the summer of 2024, the airline will ''schedule:

• February 15 from Washington, DC to Lisbon.
• February 15 from Washington to Barcelona.
• February 15 from Washington toRome.
• On March 30 from Newark to Nice, France.
• From Chicago toRome on March 30.
• March 30th from Chicago toMilan.
• On April 5 from Newark to Naples, Italy.
• On May 2 from Newark to Malaga, Spain.
• On May 2 from San Francisco toRome.