United Airlines Ends Newark-Lima Flights After Three Decades; Adds Houston Service

United Airlines Ends Newark-Lima Flights After Three Decades; Adds Houston Service

United Airlines will halt direct flights from Newark Liberty International Airport to Lima, Peru, on March 27, 2027. The carrier has operated this route since 1996, initially through Continental Airlines…

United Airlines will halt direct flights from Newark Liberty International Airport to Lima, Peru, on March 27, 2027. The carrier has operated this route since 1996, initially through Continental Airlines before merging in 2012.

On that same date, United will increase its George Bush Intercontinental Airport service in Houston to Lima, offering two flights each day. The company cited standard scheduling adjustments when asked about the change.

"We make regular adjustments to our flight schedule based on seasonality, demand, and other market factors," United said in a statement, according to NBC New York.

This cut hits hard for Northern New Jersey's significant Peruvian community. Newark stands as the tri-state area's sole airport with direct access to Peru's capital.

JFK and LaGuardia? Neither offers nonstop Lima service. No plans exist to launch such routes anytime soon.

Continental Airlines launched the Newark-Lima connection back in 1996, records show. After Continental joined with United in 2012, flights continued without interruption — spanning more than three decades total.

Houston's expansion signals a strategic pivot in how United approaches South American travel. Texas will become the primary connection hub for passengers flying to Peru from eastern states.

After March 2027, New York-area travelers must connect through Houston or alternative hubs to get to Lima. This takes effect right when spring travel picks up.

Among U.S. carriers, United operates one of the most extensive Latin American networks. Houston functions as a critical hub for flights heading to South American cities.

Airlines constantly tweak their networks as circumstances shift and passenger patterns change. Even routes that operated for decades can disappear when market conditions warrant it.