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United Airlines continues to consolidate and increase its presence in Ecuador with new frequencies, In an exclusive interview we learned about the airline's plans and possible new routes in the country.
Within the framework of IPW 2026, We spoke exclusively with Christine Valls, sales director of United Airlines for Latin America and the Caribe. In a deep review of the airline's strategy, The executive analyzed the solid performance of the Ecuadorian market, regional expansion plans driven by the incorporation of new aircraft and the transformation of the customer experience through technology.
The challenge of double daily flights and the dynamics of the local market
The operation of United Airlines on Ecuador, focused on connectivity with Quito, has recorded extremely positive behavior. The airline has implemented a second daily flight during high seasons, an addition that responds directly to a demand that remains strong, with load factors that consistently exceed the 80%.
The company's goal is clear: ensure that this increase in capacity stops being seasonal and becomes a permanent offer throughout the year. Nevertheless, This step depends closely on the optimization of the company's global resources.
«Ecuador is an important market for us. The increase in flights comes when we have more opportunity because we have more planes available. When we put it on it moves very well; The Ecuadorian market continues to grow and the market from the United States to Ecuador has also continued to grow. We hope that at some point we will be able to have two daily flights on a consistent basis.” —Christine Valls, United Airlines sales director for Latin America and the Caribbean.
In addition to passenger transport, The Ecuadorian market plays a prominent role in the logistics sector through United Cargo. The export of flowers represents a fundamental pillar for the airline's operation in the country, connecting this product with various destinations worldwide, always under an operational scheme that prioritizes security and handling of travelers' luggage.
The arrival of the Airbus A321XLR and new regional opportunities
One of the most relevant points for the future of connectivity in the region is the renewal of the fleet. United Airlines awaits the incorporation of 253 family aircraft Airbus A321neo in the next two years. Within this order, the Airbus stands out A321XLR (extra long range), a single-aisle, long-range model that is emerging as the ideal tool to transform secondary and intercontinental routes.
This aircraft is not only intended to gradually replace the Boeing 757 in mature markets such as Peru, but it opens the door to evaluate connections highly requested by the Ecuador, as a possible direct link between New York and Guayaquil, or explore places absent in the current network such as Montevideo, Asuncion and Bolivia.
«The Airbus A321XLR would be an appropriate aircraft for the route to New York from Ecuador. But we have to wait for those planes to arrive and see the possibilities, and determine where it will give us the best return. "It's a matter of looking at the options and seeing where the airline is going to get the most out of the plane." —Christine Valls.
Technological innovation and expansion in Latin America
The growth of United Airlines in the region is not limited to seating capacity, but also to the evolution of the service on board. The airline is in the process of deploying the satellite connectivity system Starlink, a technology that allows access to high-speed internet from the moment of boarding on the jetbridge, eliminating traditional geographical restrictions and the wait to achieve the 30 000 feet tall.
in addition, The firm continues to enhance the self-managed functions of its mobile application, facilitating real-time baggage tracking, internal navigation at airports and the automated allocation of compensation in case of operational contingencies.
At the network level, The airline maintains a firm commitment to the development of Latin America, driven by the reactivation of key markets such as Caracas and the dynamism of the energy sector, which generates a high priority corporate flow to its connection center in Houston, benefiting business traffic in countries such as Brazil, Argentina, Guyana and Colombia.
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