United Airlines eyes flying to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan — but Russia is the obstacle
United Airlines is looking into flights to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan after sending its network planning chief to both countries, according to chief executive Scott Kirby.
Speaking on the Cheeky Pint podcast, published on 27 October, United Airlines CEO Kirby revealed that Patrick Quayle, the executive responsible for developing United’s network, visited both countries this year.
Kirby described the trip while explaining how United finds opportunities beyond established tourist destinations. He cited its successful service to Nuuk, Greenland, as an example of an unconventional route paying off.
However, this scenario is where the geography and economy of transcontinental flights come into play.
«We can’t fly there [to Central Asia] today because we can’t fly over Russia,» Kirby said, before adding, «This could work down the road.»
Flying around Russia comes at a cost
Aside from United, regional airlines have already faced the geographical conundrum. Air Astana‘s chief executive Ibrahim Canliel told AeroTime that the Kazakh flag carrier remains on track to launch US flights in the second half of 2027, initially serving New York twice weekly.
Read more: Boeing sees Central Asia becoming a more important airline market
The airline plans to avoid Russia and carry a reduced payload, limiting the weight of passengers, baggage and cargo. Access to Russian airspace would shorten the journey by approximately two hours and remove that restriction, Canliel acknowledged.
Uzbekistan already has a New York connection
If the news is confirmed, United would enter a market with existing transatlantic services.
Uzbekistan Airways already connects Tashkent with New York and has announced plans to add more flights from April 2027. Earlier this year, private Uzbek airline Qanot Sharq has also launched a New York service.
United also already carries passengers bound for Kazakhstan through a codeshare agreement with Lufthansa, Kirby said.
Entry requirements have become easier for American travellers. Since 1 January 2026, US citizens have been able to visit Uzbekistan without a visa for up to 30 days, according to the Uzbek Tourism Committee.
