United Airlines is set to relaunch its operations at New York City’s John F Kennedy (JFK) Airport in 2021 to offer transcontinental services to the west coast.

Starting 1 February 2021, the carrier will offer two non-stop round-trip flights from JFK to Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) daily.

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It will utilise reconfigured Boeing 767-300ER aircraft with additional business class seats.

The carrier will operate from JFK Terminal 7.

United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby said: “I have been waiting a long time to say this: United Airlines is back at JFK.

“Come early next year, we will be serving all three major New York City area airports with a best-in-class product to provide our customers unmatched transcontinental service from New York City and the west coast.”

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According to a CNBC report, the airline suspended its operations at JFK in October 2015 after losing money there.

The resumption of the services is part of its plan to increase flights on routes where travel demand is higher.

Port Authority of New York and New Jersey executive director Rick Cotton said: “United Airlines’ return to JFK Airport is a clear sign that air travel is returning in New York and across the region.

“As numbers start to rise, the Port Authority is ready to welcome travellers back to JFK, Newark Liberty and LaGuardia Airports with increased cleaning and sanitising in all terminals and touch-free options from curb to gate to ensure a world-class travel experience even in these unprecedented times.”

This month, United Airlines is also scheduled to launch a Covid-19 testing pilot programme on select transatlantic flights between Newark Liberty International Airport and London’s Heathrow Airport.

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