Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) — US airline United Airlines is exploring the possibility of launching direct flights to Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan. Representatives of the carrier have already visited both countries to assess potential new routes, although plans remain complicated by restrictions on the use of Russian airspace.
United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby disclosed this in an episode of the Cheeky Pint podcast published on 27 October. He said Patrick Quayle, the airline’s Senior Vice President of Global Network Planning and Alliances, visited Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan this year.
Kirby cited the trip as an example of the airline’s efforts to explore destinations beyond traditional tourism markets. However, he did not identify specific cities that could be added to the network, potential departure airports in the United States or a possible launch date.
“We cannot fly there today because we cannot fly over Russia. But perhaps that will become possible in the future,” the airline chief said.
The closure of Russian airspace to US airlines remains one of the main obstacles to establishing routes to Central Asia. Bypassing Russia increases flight distances and can affect the commercial viability of such services.
Direct air links between Uzbekistan and the United States already exist. Uzbekistan Airways operates flights between Tashkent and New York using Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft. Private airline Qanot Sharq also launched direct flights on the route in March 2026.
United Airlines’ potential entry into the market would therefore mark the arrival of a US carrier on a route currently served by Central Asian airlines. At present, no US airline operates scheduled direct passenger flights to Uzbekistan or Kazakhstan.
Kazakhstan’s Air Astana, meanwhile, plans to launch flights to New York in the second half of 2027. The airline is initially considering operating two flights per week. To establish the route, it would need to bypass Russian airspace, increasing flight times and potentially requiring restrictions on aircraft payload.
According to Air Astana CEO Ibrahim Canliel, access to Russian airspace would reduce travel time by approximately two hours and remove payload restrictions.
Kirby also noted that United Airlines already carries passengers travelling to Kazakhstan through its partnership with Lufthansa. This indicates existing demand for travel between the United States and Kazakhstan, although the airline chief has not announced any specific plans to launch new routes.
