United Ends Newark to Lima Flights on 27 March 2027

PERU · TRAVEL

New York-area travellers to Peru lose their only United nonstop next spring and will have to connect.

United Airlines will end its nonstop flights from Newark to Lima, Peru’s capital, effective Saturday, 27 March 2027. On the same day the Chicago-based carrier will double its Houston to Lima service from one daily flight to two.

Travellers from the US Northeast, from Machu Picchu hikers to Peruvian families, will now need a connection. Anyone booking spring 2027 trips to Peru should check routings now rather than in March.

What United Has Announced

The change was first reported on Monday, 31 August, by The Points Guy, a US travel site, and confirmed by United. NBC New York reported the same effective date on Thursday, 3 September.

United did not give a specific reason for dropping the route. Its statement said: “We make regular adjustments to our flight schedule based on seasonality, demand and other market factors.”

The Newark to Lima link dates back to Continental Airlines, the carrier that merged with United in 2010. Newark was Continental’s main East Coast hub, and the Lima flight was one of its long-standing South American routes.

The route was busy when the decision was taken. US Department of Transportation figures, cited by Deep Arrival, show 98,366 passengers in the year to May 2026.

The same data show planes 89.3 percent full; the total works out to roughly 270 passengers a day across both directions. Airlines often move aircraft from a busy route to one they consider more profitable, so a full plane does not guarantee survival.

How to Fly to Lima After March

Lima’s Jorge Chávez International Airport is Peru’s main international gateway. Most visitors heading to Cusco, the old Inca capital and base for Machu Picchu, change planes there for a domestic flight.

After 27 March, United passengers from the New York area will connect through Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport. That adds a domestic leg and usually several hours to a trip that was a single overnight hop.

Other US carriers and LATAM, Peru’s largest airline group, also fly to Lima from US hubs. Schedules change by season, so compare routings through Atlanta, Miami or other gateways on the airlines’ own websites.

Travellers who already hold United tickets from Newark for dates after 27 March should check their booking. Airlines normally offer a new routing or a refund when they cancel a route, but United has not published specific terms.

Entry Rules and Safety for US Citizens

US citizens do not need a visa for tourist stays of 90 days or less, according to the US State Department. Border officers set the permitted length of stay on arrival, and overstays bring fines that must be paid before departure.

Passports must be valid for six months from the date of entry and have at least one blank page. Travellers on official or diplomatic passports need a visa even for tourism.

The State Department rates Peru at Level 2, “exercise increased caution”, in an advisory issued on Friday, 4 September. Some Peruvian regions, mainly remote border areas, carry stricter warnings.

In Lima, use registered taxis or ride-hailing apps from the airport rather than drivers who approach you in the hall. Keep phones out of sight on busy streets, where snatch theft is the most common problem for visitors.

Costs for Visitors

Peru’s currency is the sol, which traded at about 3.44 to the US dollar on Sunday, 11 October. Conversions here use the open.er-api.com rate of that day.

A bill of S/100 (about US$29) gives a sense of scale. Card payments are common in Lima, but carry some cash in soles for markets, small shops and taxis outside the capital.

What It Means for You

If you live in New York, New Jersey or Connecticut, flights to Lima until late March are unaffected. From Easter week 2027 onward, expect a connection, a longer trip and possibly higher fares.

If you live in Texas, the Southwest or the Rockies, Houston gains capacity, which may mean more seats and better timing. Peruvian families in the New York area lose their United nonstop link home.

What Is Not Known

United has not published the flight number or departure time of the last Newark to Lima service. It has also not said how it will rebook passengers already ticketed after 27 March.

It is not known whether another airline will add capacity from the New York area to Lima to fill the gap. Fares for spring 2027 have not been analysed, and any effect on prices is a guess for now.

What Comes Next

The Newark flights keep operating through the Peruvian summer, including Christmas and New Year. The change takes effect on 27 March 2027, the day before Easter Sunday.

The decision does not mean United is leaving Peru, since it is adding a Houston flight. It also does not affect the rules for entering Peru or for visiting Machu Picchu.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the last United flight from Newark to Lima?

United says the route ends effective 27 March 2027. The exact final flight has not been published, so check your booking with the airline.

Do US citizens need a visa to visit Peru?

No visa is needed for tourist stays of 90 days or less. Your passport must be valid for six months from entry and have one blank page.

Is Peru safe for US tourists?

The US State Department rates Peru at Level 2, exercise increased caution. Petty theft is the main risk in Lima, and some border regions carry stricter warnings.

Sources: The Points Guy (United confirmation and statement); NBC New York; Deep Arrival (US DOT passenger data); US State Department, Peru country page; open.er-api.com exchange rates (all accessed 11 October 2026).