United Seeking OK for Flights to Europe From 4 U.S. Cities

United Airlines announced today that it is seeking approval to enter the European market with service from four U.S. cities.

“With today’s announcement, United has moved decisively toward becoming a transatlantic carrier,” United Chairman and President Stephen M. Wolf said in a statement.

The nation’s second-largest air carrier said it filed petitions for its proposed European routes today with the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Wolf said United will begin flying next spring between its Chicago and Washington, D.C., hubs to Frankfurt and Paris. It will also initiate flights between Chicago and Milan with continuing service to Rome.

Last month, United said it was seeking to begin service between Chicago and Warsaw, with continuing service to Budapest.

The airline has asked for authority to link Paris with both San Francisco and New York. United has approval to fly between those U.S. cities and Frankfurt but does not fly the routes.

Wolf said United will seek government approval to fly between London and San Francisco, Chicago, Washington, D.C., and New York. In addition, the company will seek permission to fly between Glasgow, Scotland, and both Chicago and Washington.