Washington-area travelers will soon have two new ways to reach Europe without a connection. United Airlines announced today it will begin nonstop service from Washington Dulles International Airport to Toulouse, France, and Milan, Italy, beginning spring of 2027, giving the region direct links to cities it has never before reached without a layover.
The additions are part of what United calls the largest international expansion in its history. The airline’s full announcement included a total of 13 new routes, including service to 10 new international cities – eight of which no other U.S. airline serves – across Europe and Asia, for its 2027 schedule. But for local flyers, the Dulles pair stands out.
The Toulouse route starts April 26, 2027, with daily flights. The Milan route follows May 28, 2027, operating three times a week. Both flights will depart from United’s new Concourse E at Dulles, a 435,000-square-foot facility with up to 14 gates that is expected to open next month.
The two routes carry milestones for the capital region. United says the Dulles–Toulouse flight will be the first and only nonstop service between the United States and Toulouse. The Dulles–Milan flight will be the first and only nonstop connection between the Washington area and Milan, one of Europe’s leading business and fashion centers.
“We aim to have a destination on our route map for every traveler, at every stage of their lives,” said Patrick Quayle, United’s senior vice president of global network planning and alliances. “Whether it’s a business trip, a dream honeymoon, a bucket-list adventure, or a trip home to see family, we’re making the world feel smaller and connecting cultures at a scale no other airline in the world can match.”
A new aircraft for the Toulouse run
The Toulouse flight will fly on United’s Airbus A321XLR, a single-aisle jet the airline has branded “Born to Explore.” Despite its narrower cabin, the plane is built for long-haul comfort. It carries 32 premium seats, including United Polaris suites with privacy doors and lie-flat beds. In the main cabin, Economy Plus seats offer extra elbow room and a shared table across an open middle seat, a feature United says will make it the only major U.S. carrier to offer such a setup.
The jet also comes with free Starlink Wi-Fi for MileagePlus members, 4K OLED screens with Bluetooth connectivity and a snack bar in United Economy.
Washington travelers will get a look at the aircraft sooner. The A321XLR begins international service this year on Dec. 1, starting with Dulles flights to Amsterdam and Dublin.
Building on a busy year at Dulles
The Toulouse and Milan routes cap a year of steady growth at Dulles. In 2026, United added several new international options from the airport, including daily nonstop service to Reykjavik, Iceland, which launched May 21, and new seasonal nonstop service to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, that will begin Oct. 25
United, now the world’s largest airline as measured by available seat miles, has added 58 international destinations to its route map since 2017. The carrier says it will serve more nonstop destinations in Italy and France from the U.S. than any other airline once the new routes begin.
“We’re going to keep building on that momentum as we welcome the new A321XLR to our fleet and continue to elevate the travel experience for every customer who chooses United,” CEO Scott Kirby said.
