Fly United Airlines Nonstop from New York to Nuuk, Greenland for 40,000 United MileagePlus Miles
Updated on October 31, 2025 | Tim Haig
Route map of UA 80 from New York-Newark (EWR) to Nuuk, Greenland (GOH)
United Airlines is the first North American airline to offer service to Nuuk, Greenland, flying to the new international airport.
The nonstop flight from New York-Newark takes just 4 hours and 25 minutes and is operated during daylight hours, saving passengers almost 13 hours of travel time versus connecting in Iceland. This makes short trips to Greenland from the US and Canada possible.
The first flight of summer 2026 is scheduled to depart Newark on Saturday, June 6, 2026 and will again run on a Tuesday/Saturday outbound and Wednesday/Sunday inbound schedule.
UA 80 / UA 81 is open for booking with United Mileage Plus miles or Aeroplan points.
| United Airlines | UA 80 | UA 81 |
|---|---|---|
| Route | EWR-GOH | GOH-EWR |
| Departs | 11:20am EDT | 9:00am WGST |
| Arrives | 6:45pm WGST | 10:30am EDT |
| Duration | 4h25 | 4h30 |
| Frequency | Tue, Sat | Wed, Sun |
| Inaugural Flight | June 14, 2025 | June 15, 2025 |
| Season | Summer (resumes June 6, 2026) | |
| Natutical Miles | 1616 | |
| Equipment | Boeing 737-MAX 8 | |
A field of wildflowers in Nuuk, Greenland. United Airlines flies from New York to Nuuk twice a week in summer 2025 and 2026 (photo: Peter Lindstrom, Visit Greenland)
How comfortable is United’s flight to Nuuk, Greenland?
United uses a Boeing 737-MAX 8 on its flight from New York to Nuuk (photo: United Airlines)
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Ratings: routesandmiles.com/ratings
United uses a Boeing 737-MAX 8 on this 4-hour-and-25-minute flight to Nuuk. Seat maps show 166 seats: a 3-3 configuration in United Economy (150 seats) and a 2-2 configuration in United Premium Plus (16 seats). Seat pitch is 30” in Economy. No United Business or United First is offered on this route.
Meal service in Economy includes free snacks, a complimentary meal, non-alcoholic beverages and house beer or wine.
The daytime departure in both directions minimizes jet lag and makes the 3-hour time difference (from Eastern Daylight Time to Western Greenland Standard Time) almost unnoticeable.
Is it better to use money or miles when flying United to Nuuk, Greenland?
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$839 one way* |
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40,000 miles +$6* |
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40,000 points +CA$79* |
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Since fares are rather high on this route, redeeming either United MileagePlus miles or Air Canada Aeroplan points (a Star Alliance partner) is great value. When we searched, redemption started at 40,000 United MileagePlus miles plus $6 in Economy, while cash fares were around $839.*
Using this route as an example, United MileagePlus miles are worth approximately $0.021 per mile.
*Searched on October 21, 2025 for one-way travel from New York (EWR) to Nuuk (GOH) in Economy on June 16, 2026. Sources: united.com and aircanada.com.
Colorful houses dot the coastline of Nuuk (photo: Stine Selmer Andersen, Visit Greenland)
How to plan a 5-day trip to Nuuk, Greenland
Nuuk is an ideal destination for those looking to escape from city stress, and Visit Nuuk encourages free wandering: “Nuuk is one of the few places in the world where you can actually hike from one city area to another.” There are three recommended hikes within close proximity of the city — from beginner and child-friendly to challenging.
Visit Nuuk offers two sample four-day itineraries: nature and culture, or food and culture.
Nuuk is also the perfect jumping off point for travelers looking to explore more of Greenland. Air Greenland offers service from Nuuk to destinations like Narsarsuaq, Ilulissat, Upernavik and Qaanaaq.
Nuuk’s new International Airport opened on November 28, 2024 (photo: Oscar Scott Carl, Visit Greenland)
What are the best new credit card bonuses for flying on United?
The New United Explorer Card from Chase currently offers 60,000 United MileagePlus bonus miles after qualifying purchases ($3000 in the first 3 months) for new approved applicants (conditions and exclusions apply; limited time offer; $150 annual fee waived for the first year)**.
The Aeroplan Card from Chase is offering up to 100,000 bonus Air Canada Aeroplan points: 75,000 points for new approved applicants after qualifying purchases ($4000 in the first 3 months) and payment of the $95 annual fee (conditions and exclusions apply; limited time offer), plus an additional 25,000 Aeroplan points after $20,000 of purchases made within the first 12 months**.
**Subject to change. Last verified on October 21, 2025.
Tim Haig was the Asia Product and Marketing Manager for Goway Travel, and has written for BC Living, SharedVISION and Globetrotting. He is based in California.
