United to launch 8 new nonstop flights to Europe from Newark

United is adding eight new nonstop flights to Europe from Newark, giving Long Islanders easier access to cities that otherwise require a connection — if they're willing to get to New Jersey first.

United Airlines announced Tuesday its largest international expansion to date, adding 10 new destinations worldwide starting next spring, including eight new nonstop routes from Newark Liberty International Airport.

For Long Islanders, the new flights open up direct access to places that otherwise require a connection if leaving from Kennedy Airport. Those new routes are: Luxembourg City; Marseille, France; Ibiza and Valencia, Spain; Terceira in Portugal's Azores Islands; Ljubljana, Slovenia; Olbia, Sardinia; and Catania, Italy in Sicily.

Six of the Newark destinations — Luxembourg City, Marseille, Ibiza, Valencia, Terceira and Ljubljana — have no other nonstop service from the United States, according to United.

The new Newark routes

United's new international service from Newark includes:

• Luxembourg City, Luxembourg: One of Europe's smallest countries and a jumping-off point for France, Belgium and Germany. Daily service starts Apr. 2.
• Marseille, France: An urban port city on the French Mediterranean coast. Daily service starts Jun. 4.
• Ibiza, Spain: Known for its beaches, nightlife and club scene. Four-times-weekly service starts May 31.
• Valencia, Spain: A Mediterranean coastal city known for its beaches, architecture and food. Three-times-weekly service starts Jun. 2.
• Terceira, Portugal: A volcanic island in the Azores archipelago. Three-times-weekly service starts Jun. 9.
• Ljubljana, Slovenia: The country's charming, green capital and a base for exploring locations such as Lake Bled. Four-times-weekly service starts May 12.
• Olbia, Sardinia: A port city with easy access to Sardinia's beaches. Three-times-weekly service starts May 27.
• Catania, Sicily: An eastern Sicily gateway near Mount Etna and Taormina. Four-times-weekly service starts May 28.

Newark vs. Kennedy

But is avoiding a connection worth making the trip from Long Island to Newark?

From much of Nassau and Suffolk, Kennedy is the more convenient airport, particularly for travelers using the Long Island Rail Road, AirTrain or getting a ride to the Queens airport.

Driving time to Newark can vary dramatically depending on where you're coming from and traffic, averaging two hours from the center of the Island. Parking at Newark starts at $30 daily when booked in advance online. A ride share to Newark can cost between $150 and 200 one way from central Long Island. Long Islanders can also opt to take the LIRR to Penn Station, take the NJ Transit to the Newark Airport Rail Station (about 30 minutes), then switch to the AirTrain to get to United in Terminal A or C.

But connecting flights come with costs of their own. A one-stop itinerary means more time in transit, the chance of a missed connection and an additional takeoff and landing. A nonstop flight can save several hours in the air, but some of those savings disappear if the trip to Newark takes significantly longer than the trip to Kennedy.

For an international flight, travelers should also arrive at the airport several hours before departure. That means a Newark trip can become an especially early start for Long Islanders if the new routes have morning departures.

United says Newark is its primary trans-Atlantic gateway and highlighted the airport's performance in announcing the new routes.

"We offer the most flights across the Atlantic and Pacific and Newark is the best Atlantic gateway in the country," United CEO Scott Kirby said in the announcement. "So far this year, it's the most on-time airport in the New York City area."

The bottom line: Don't just compare airfare. Before booking, Long Islanders should price out the total door-to-door travel time, including tolls, parking or rideshare cost. The new Newark routes could make some of Europe's harder-to-reach destinations dramatically easier to visit, but whether they're the better deal will depend on where you live, and what Kennedy connections are selling for.