First direct flight from US to Greenland since 2008 lands on Trump's birthday
Share this @internewscast.com

NUUK, Greenland (AP) — An American airline has made history with its first direct flight from the U.S. to Greenland, landing in Nuuk, the island’s capital, on Saturday evening. This notable flight will return to the U.S. on Sunday morning.

The first direct scheduled flight from US’ Newark airport to Nuuk’s airport is landing in Nuuk, Greenland, on June 14, 2025. United Airlines flight from the US has been in transit for four hours to the new international airport in Nuuk. (Photo by MADS CLAUS RASMUSSEN/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images)

The journey was operated by United Airlines using a Boeing 737 Max 8. The aircraft departed from Newark International Airport, New Jersey, at 11:31 a.m. EDT (1531 GMT) on Saturday and landed just over four hours later at 6:39 p.m. local time (1939 GMT), as reported by the flight-tracking site FlightAware.

A one-way ticket from Newark to Nuuk cost roughly $1,200. The return flight had a $1,300 to $1,500 price tag.

This flight represents the first direct link between the U.S. and the Arctic island in almost 20 years. Previously, in 2007, Air Greenland had a route connecting Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport to Kangerlussuaq Airport, located approximately 315 kilometers (195 miles) north of Nuuk, which was discontinued the following year because of high costs.

Warren Rieutort-Louis, a 38-year-old passenger from San Francisco, decided to visit Nuuk for just one night to be a part of the historic flight.

“I’ve been to Greenland before, but never this way around. I came the other way through Europe, so to be able to come straight is really amazing,” Rieutort-Louis said after the plane landed.

The United Airlines flight took place on U.S. President Donald Trump’s 79th birthday, which was celebrated in Washington with a controversial military parade that was part of the Army’s long-planned 250th anniversary celebration.

Trump has repeatedly said he seeks control of Greenland, a strategic Arctic island that’s a semi-autonomous territory of Denmark, and has not ruled out military force.

The governments of Denmark, a NATO ally, and Greenland have said it is not for sale and condemned reports of the U.S. stepping up intelligence gathering on the mineral-rich island.

United announced the flight and its date in October, before Trump was re-elected. It was scheduled for 2025 to take advantage of the new Nuuk airport, which opened in late November and features a larger runway for bigger jets.

“United will be the only carrier to connect the U.S. directly to Nuuk — the northernmost capital in the world, providing a gateway to world-class hiking and fascinating wildlife under the summer’s midnight sun,” the company said in a statement at the time.

Saturday’s flight kicked off the airline’s twice weekly seasonal service, from June to September, between Newark and Nuuk. The plane has around 165 seats.

Previously, travelers had to take a layover in Iceland or Copenhagen, Denmark, before flying to Greenland.

The new flight is beneficial for the island’s business and residents, according to Greenland government minister Naaja Nathanielsen.

Tourists will spend money at local businesses, and Greenlanders themselves will now be able to travel to the U.S. more easily, Nathanielsen, the minister for business, mineral resources, energy, justice and gender equality, told Danish broadcaster DR. The route is also an important part of diversifying the island’s economy, she said. Fishing produces about 90% of Greenland’s exports.

Tourism is increasingly important. More than 96,000 international passengers traveled through the country’s airports in 2023, up 28% from 2015.

Jessica Litolff, a 26-year-old passenger from Louisiana, said she also hopes the new route will benefit the U.S. and Greenland.

“Distance-wise it’s only like four and a half hours, so by flying you can get to Greenland faster than you can to some parts of the United States,” she said.

Visit Greenland echoed Nathanielsen’s comments. The government’s tourism agency did not have projections on how much money the new flights would bring to the island.

“We do know that flights can bring in much more than just dollars, and we expect it to have a positive impact — both for the society and travellers,” Tanny Por, Visit Greenland’s head of international relations, told The Associated Press in an email.

Aria Varasteh, a 34-year-old traveler from Washington, had wanted to travel to Greenland “for a very long time.”

“I do hope that we receive a warm reception from the locals. From those I’ve talked to already, it seems that they’re excited to have us here,” Varasteh said. “And so we’re excited to be here and just be the best versions of ourselves.”

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Justin Fields showing no ill affects from his dislocated toe

Justin Fields Shows No Signs of Trouble from Dislocated Toe Injury

Thursday, Justin Fields was carted off the practice field. Immediately, panic swept…
DOJ, FBI investigate brutal Cincinnati assault captured in viral video

DOJ and FBI Launch Investigation into Cincinnati Attack Seen in Viral Video

CINCINNATI – The FBI and Department of Justice have verified the existence…
Midwest biofuels plant explosion, building collapse leaves 3 dead, including 2 children

Explosion at Midwest Biofuels Plant and Building Collapse Results in 3 Fatalities, Including 2 Children

At least three people are dead, including two children, after a dramatic…
Ocean view at sunset with dark clouds and mountains in the background.

Intense moment Hawaii braced for tsunami following 8.8 earthquake in the Ring of Fire, leading to mass evacuations

HAUNTING footage shows the moment ocean water receded along a Hawaii shoreline…
Former Vice President Kamala Harris says she will not be running in 2026 California governor election

Kamala Harris Declares She Won’t Enter 2026 California Governor Race

Former Vice President Kamala Harris has clarified recent rumors: she will not…
Nebraska plant explosion killed 2 girls and an employee, and the fire is still burning

Nebraska Plant Explosion Results in Death of 2 Girls and an Employee, with the Fire Ongoing

FREMONT, Neb. (AP) — Officials confirmed the deaths of two girls and…
Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas spark romance buzz as they’re spotted holding hands after months of speculation

Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas Ignite Romance Rumors After Being Seen Holding Hands Following Months of Speculation

Tom Cruise and Ana de Armas Ignite Romance Rumors After Being Seen…
Crews struggle to contain wildfire on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon

Firefighters Battle to Control Wildfire at the Grand Canyon’s North Rim

PHOENIX (AP) — A combination of extremely dry conditions and strong winds…
NYC shooting: Mayor says gunman was targeting NFL headquarters

New York City Shooting: Mayor Reveals Attack was Aimed at NFL Offices

The shooting occurred at a skyscraper that houses the NFL headquarters, Blackstone,…
Bryan Kohberger traffic stop video shows Idaho killer driving white Hyundai linked to murders

Video Shows Bryan Kohberger in White Hyundai Allegedly Tied to Idaho Murders

Convicted killer Bryan Kohberger was seen in newly released video of a…
Trump administration launching new private health data tracking system

Trump Administration Introduces New System for Tracking Health Data Privately

Leaders from over 60 companies, including Google and Amazon, are meeting at…
Third suspect in brutal Cincinnati beatdown arrested, charged with assault

Third individual apprehended and charged in violent Cincinnati attack

A third individual has been taken into custody over a violent incident…