San Francisco Airport Welcomes 16 Airlines for Nonstop Europe Routes in 2026

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is set to expand its European connectivity in 2026, with a total of 16 airlines offering nonstop flights to various destinations across the continent. This development enhances SFO’s position as a critical hub not just for transpacific travel, but also for intercontinental long-haul routes, attracting both leisure and business travelers looking to connect to major cities in Europe.

United Airlines Dominates the Market

According to data from Cirium, SFO will witness a staggering 8,682 scheduled departures to Europe in 2026, providing over 2.65 million seats. United Airlines, the hometown carrier, commands a significant share of this market, operating 3,106 flights that account for 35.8% of total departures. In terms of seat capacity, United offers 850,948 seats, which represents 32% of the available market.

United’s European routes include year-round services to key destinations such as Frankfurt (FRA), London Heathrow (LHR), Munich (MUC), and Paris Charles de Gaulle (CDG). Seasonal flights will connect passengers to Amsterdam (AMS), Barcelona (BCN), Rome (FCO), and Zürich (ZRH). The airline primarily utilizes widebody aircraft from the Boeing 777 and 787 families for these international journeys.

United Airlines CEO, Scott Kirby, commented on the airline’s growth in San Francisco, stating, “We’re winning more Bay Area customers because of our investments in the product, the experience, and the places we fly. Our growth is a direct result of United’s ambitious network strategy.”

Major European Carriers Step Up

In addition to United, several European airlines are enhancing their presence at SFO. Both British Airways and Lufthansa are prominent players, with each airline scheduled to operate 722 departures in 2026. Lufthansa edges out British Airways in seat capacity, offering 266,137 seats compared to British Airways’ 261,863 seats.

British Airways predominantly operates Boeing 777 and Airbus A380 aircraft on its London Heathrow route. Lufthansa utilizes the Boeing 747-400 and 747-8 for flights to Frankfurt, while also serving Munich with the Airbus A350-900 and A380.

Following closely behind, Turkish Airlines has planned 564 departures from SFO to its main hub in Istanbul (IST), using the Airbus A350-900 for these routes. Virgin Atlantic and Air France also contribute significantly to the transatlantic traffic, with Virgin operating 552 flights and Air France 541 flights in 2026. Air France leads in seat capacity with 160,556 seats, while Virgin Atlantic offers 157,662 seats.

Other European carriers, including KLM, Aer Lingus, and SWISS, will also maintain regular services from San Francisco, with flight totals of 356, 351, and 351 respectively.

The expansion of nonstop flights from San Francisco to Europe reflects the growing demand for international travel and highlights the airport’s strategic role in connecting the United States with key global destinations. As 2026 approaches, travelers can look forward to increased options and enhanced travel experiences across the Atlantic.