Yesterday, United Airlines announced plans for direct flights between Newark and Istanbul, subject to government approval. The new direct service is to start July 1, 2012 from Newark’s Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Istanbul’s Atatürk International Airport (IST). Istanbul to Newark flights will begin July 2 and a flight will run daily in each direction.

United, which claims service to more destinations worldwide than any other airline, will be joining the limited number of airlines currently offering direct flights between NYC and Istanbul. This includes Delta and Turkish Airlines, which both offer daily flights already. The addition of United will provide increased access to one of Europe’s most diverse countries and a city pulling personality from three ancient cultures and two continents. The new route is also likely to add to great flight deals, so keep an eye out!

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