United Airlines is massively upgrading its Washington Dulles (IAD) to Edinburgh (EDI) route to make Scottish av-geeks and Capitol Hill commuters equally chuffed. What was once a summer fling is now practically a year-round romance.
In This Post
The Basics
- Flight Numbers: UA978 (IAD → EDI) and UA979 (EDI → IAD)
- Aircraft: Boeing 757-200 (176 seats: 16 Polaris Business, 42 Economy Plus, 118 Economy)
- Flight Time: Roughly 7 hours eastbound; 8 hours westbound
The New Schedule
Expect daily service from 29 March 2025 to 25 October 2025. Then, after a quick winter nap, flights pick up again five times a week from 26 October 2025 to 5 January 2026 and from 20 February 2026 onwards before returning to daily service.
Why This Matters
United’s move isn’t just a nod to Edinburgh’s soaring popularity – it’s part of the airline’s biggest-ever international expansion, bringing new destinations and beefing up transatlantic service. Edinburgh gets a starring role, becoming even more of a gateway for Scots looking to access United’s 65+ onward destinations across the Americas via Dulles.
Importantly, United is currently the only airline offering year-round nonstop service between Edinburgh and the United States. American Airlines also operates flights between Edinburgh and Philadelphia, but only seasonally from May to October – as we covered here.
What’s Onboard?
- Polaris Business Class: Lie-flat seats, Saks Fifth Avenue bedding, Therabody amenity kits. Fancy.
- Economy Plus: Extra legroom and a fast escape from the cabin.
- Economy: Free meals, free booze (yes, even in the back), and personal screens stuffed with films.
Aircraft Nerd Note
It’s the classic transatlantic workhorse – the Boeing 757-200 – making this journey. Thin, nimble, and capable of hopping over the Atlantic without blinking. But cards on the table: the 757 is actually my least favourite long-haul jet. It’s a bit narrow, the ride can be rougher, and it just doesn’t have the same “big plane” energy as a Dreamliner or A330. Still, it’s doing the heavy lifting for now.
The Bigger Picture
United is not messing around. Karolien De Hertogh, United’s Director of Sales for the UK and Ireland, said,
“As the only airline connecting Edinburgh to the United States year-round, we are delighted to announce this significant expansion.”
Edinburgh Airport’s boss, Gordon Dewar, called it a “huge show of confidence” in Scotland’s global ties. Compared to Glasgow, Edinburgh is really muscling ahead in the transatlantic race, scooping up new routes and extra capacity while its west coast rival watches on.
Booking Tips
- Award Seats: United MileagePlus sometimes releases decent award space on this route, especially in winter months.
- Cash Fares: Expect high summer prices – but shoulder seasons (March and October) can be a sweet spot.
- Best Seats: If you’re stuck in Economy, try to nab an Economy Plus row for some breathing room.
Bottom Line
More flights, better connections, and another excuse to squeeze in a last-minute Washington DC getaway (or escape to Edinburgh for some whisky and castle-spotting). United is officially giving Scots and Americans more reasons to cross the pond – even when it’s freezing.
