United Airlines Considering Launch of Flights to Zadar as Demand from US Continues to Grow
As the demand for travel to Croatia from American tourists continues to rise, United Airlines is exploring the possibility of launching flights to the city of Zadar, according to a report by Poslovni dnevnik.
The US-based carrier is already strengthening its presence in the country this month with the launch of seasonal flights between Newark and Split, in addition to their existing services to Dubrovnik.
Based on aviation data, the busiest unserved route between the United States and Zadar is from New York. Other major US cities that generate strong demand for travel to the Dalmatian city include Detroit, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Miami, and Boston.
United Airlines has observed a steady increase in interest from American passengers in travelling to Croatia, highlighting their strategy of expanding routes to emerging tourism hotspots.
The airline also noted the importance of their transatlantic joint venture with Lufthansa, which offers connecting services through Frankfurt and Munich from major US hubs.
However, United acknowledged that travellers are increasingly opting for direct flights rather than connecting services. With more aircraft joining their fleet, the airline is able to add a greater number of destinations.
Officials in Croatia’s tourism sector are also optimistic about the growth potential from the US market. The director of the Croatian National Tourist Board office for North America, Leila Krešić-Jurić, stated that the United States remains the country’s most promising long-haul market, particularly in the premium and luxury tourism segments.
She also mentioned some major investments in Croatia’s high-end tourism offer, including international hotel brands like Hyatt Regency and Curio by Hilton, as well as the wellness-focused Materra hotel near Osijek. Further developments announced by domestic tourism groups such as Maistra and Valamar are also expected to boost the sector.
Currently, the United States is the largest long-haul tourism market for Croatia. In 2025, the country recorded around 850,000 arrivals from American tourists and 2. 4 million overnight stays, representing a year-on-year increase of 9% in arrivals and 10% in overnight stays.
With the potential launch of flights to Zadar, United Airlines is poised to further solidify its position as a leader in providing flights to bold and trending destinations, while also catering to the growing demand for direct flights from American travellers.