United Airlines is giving U.S. travelers a more direct way to reach Croatia’s Dalmatian Coast. On April 30, 2026, the airline will launch seasonal nonstop service between Newark Liberty International Airport and Split, Croatia, according to United’s official route announcement. The flight will operate three times a week on a Boeing 767-300ER, making it the only nonstop service between the United States and Split. For travelers who have wanted to visit Split, Hvar, Brač, Vis, Trogir, Šibenik, or other destinations along central Dalmatia, the new route removes one of the most common complications: a European layover.
Until now, many U.S. travelers heading to Split typically connected through cities such as Frankfurt, Munich, Amsterdam, London, or Zagreb before continuing to the coast. The new flight turns Split into a second-leg destination, making Croatia’s islands, historic towns, beaches, and ferry routes easier to reach during the summer travel season.
United’s Newark To Split Route Opens A New Door To Croatia’s Coast
United’s Newark to Split route is part of a larger Summer 2026 expansion that also includes new service from Washington Dulles to Bari, Italy; Glasgow, Scotland; Santiago de Compostela, Spain; and Reykjavik, Iceland. The airline described the route as the first nonstop flight between the U.S. and Split, which gives travelers a new way into one of Croatia’s most visited coastal regions.
Split is one of Croatia’s most useful entry points for travelers who want history, island access, food, beaches, sailing, and coastal scenery in one trip. The city is built around Diocletian’s Palace, the Roman imperial complex that remains part of everyday life in Split’s old town. From there, travelers can walk to the Riva promenade, reach the harbor, and connect by ferry or catamaran to islands including Hvar, Brač, Vis, Korčula, and Šolta.
The route also offers travelers another option in Croatia beyond Dubrovnik. United already operates seasonal nonstop service between Newark/New York and Dubrovnik, and the new Split flight expands the airline’s U.S.-Croatia access during the summer season. That’s important for itinerary planning. Dubrovnik remains one of Croatia’s most recognizable destinations, but Split offers a more central base for travelers planning to explore the middle Dalmatian coast and the islands nearby.
Croatia’s Tourism Momentum Is Already Strong
Croatia is receiving this new route at a time of strong tourism demand. Reuters reported that Croatia recorded 15.5 million tourist arrivals and 79.2 million overnight stays through August 20, 2025, a one percent increase from the same period in 2024. Croatia’s tourism minister described 2025 as a record year, and the country’s central bank estimated that foreign tourism revenue would rise to €15.5 billion.
Official Croatian tourism data also shows the importance of the coast. In 2025, foreign tourists recorded 17.6 million arrivals and 85.6 million nights in commercial accommodation in Croatia. The Adriatic Region accounted for 89.4 million tourist nights, or 94.3 percent of the country’s total. Split-Dalmatia County ranked second among Croatian counties, with 3.9 million arrivals and 18.4 million tourist nights. The city of Split recorded 3.2 million tourist nights, up 2.8 percent from 2024.
Those numbers help explain why airlines continue to look beyond Europe’s most obvious capital cities. Croatia has become a major Mediterranean destination for travelers interested in coastal landscapes, historic cities, national parks, island-hopping, and food. Split sits at the center of much of that demand, which makes the new United route especially relevant for summer travelers.
What Black Travelers Should Know Before Booking
For Black travelers, Croatia’s growing visibility fits into a wider shift in travel behavior. Black travelers continue to influence where the travel industry pays attention, especially as more travelers seek destinations that combine rest, cultural depth, and access to experiences that feel worth the journey. MMGY Travel Intelligence reported that U.S. Black leisure travelers took more than 184 million trips in 2023 and spent $145 billion on travel, reflecting the size and power of this market.
Croatia is also becoming more visible in Black travel, particularly among travelers looking beyond traditional European city breaks. The destination offers the kind of trip many travelers are prioritizing now: coastal access, architecture, food, islands, nature, and enough movement to turn one flight into several different experiences. Still, travelers should plan carefully. Croatia’s summer season can bring higher hotel rates, crowded old towns, busy ferries, and limited availability on popular island routes.
The new United flight does not remove every planning step, but it does make the first step easier. Travelers should compare fares, check seasonal flight schedules, confirm ferry times before booking island stays, and consider whether Split, Dubrovnik, or a multi-city itinerary makes the most sense. For anyone who has been waiting for the Dalmatian Coast to feel less complicated from the U.S., this route gives Split a stronger place on the Croatia travel map.
