United brings back nonstop Newark–St. Croix flights after 32 years
United Airlines has started flying nonstop between Newark and St. Croix, restoring a direct link between the New York area and the largest of the US Virgin Islands. The first flight landed at Henry E. Rohlsen Airport on Saturday, 31 October 2026.
The service runs once a week, on Saturdays, on a Boeing 737-700 with 126 seats, including 12 in business class. Flight 1409 leaves Newark at 9:03 in the morning and arrives in St. Croix at 1:20 in the afternoon. The return flight, Flight 1410, leaves St. Croix at 2:25 in the afternoon and lands in Newark at 6:58 in the evening. All times are local.
United says it is the only airline offering nonstop service between St. Croix and the New York City area. The route takes United to 23 Caribbean destinations from Newark, more than any other airline from the hub, and sits alongside its existing Newark service to St. Thomas.
The first flight had a personal touch. Four pilots with roots in St. Croix took part: two flew the plane from Newark, and two more were set to fly the return leg.
Virgin Islands Port Authority chief Ava Penn called the route a significant win for St. Croix, saying it opens up a major US market and makes travel easier for residents and Virgin Islanders living on the mainland. Tourism Commissioner Jennifer Matarangas-King said it would help more travellers discover the island’s culture, history and natural beauty.
Why it matters
St. Croix has had no direct flight to the New York area since 1994. Travellers had to connect through another airport, adding time and cost. A nonstop Saturday flight gives holidaymakers, business travellers and families a simpler way to reach the island, and gives local businesses a direct line to one of their biggest visitor markets.
The timing is no accident. The route is a winter seasonal service, running through 27 March 2027, when demand for Caribbean holidays is at its strongest.
What happens next
The next flight is scheduled for Saturday, 7 November, and tickets can be booked on United’s website and app. Whether the route lasts beyond March will depend on how full the planes are over the winter.
This article is for general information and education only. It is not legal or financial advice.
Sources
- https://www.travelandtourworld.com/news/article/i4ao7a3gkjg3/ (Travel and Tour World, 1 November 2026)
- https://www.viport.com/post/st-croix-expands-air-access-with-united-airlines-new-nonstop-newark-service (Virgin Islands Port Authority, 23 October 2026)
- https://tools.prnewswire.com:443/en-us/live/15499/release/20260601NY71929?filter=15499 (PR Newswire / United Airlines and US Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, 1 June 2026)
- https://simpleflying.com/united-airlines-adds-18-new-nonstop-routes-from-newark/ (Simple Flying, 6 October 2026)
- https://www.theejetsetjournal.com/post/united-airlines-brings-back-nonstop-flights-to-st-croix-what-travelers-need-to-know (Thee Jetset Journal, 12 October 2026)
