In a significant expansion of transatlantic travel, eight new airport pairs will connect the United States and Canada to Europe starting in 2026. This development marks the introduction of routes that have never before been served, enhancing connectivity for travelers across the Atlantic.
Among the notable new services, Etihad Airways will launch flights from its hub in Abu Dhabi to Charlotte on May 4, 2026. This service will make Etihad the first Middle Eastern airline to operate at Charlotte Douglas International Airport, a major hub for American Airlines, which accounts for approximately 88% of flights at the airport. The route will cover a distance of 6,437 nautical miles (11,921 kilometers) each way, facilitating connections for passengers traveling to various regions, including South and Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
Royal Jordanian will also enter the market with a new route from Amman to Dallas/Fort Worth, beginning on May 10, 2026. This will be the airline’s seventh destination in North America and the second-longest route among the new services at 6,114 nautical miles (11,323 kilometers) each way. In the past year, around 545 daily passengers traveled between Dallas and the Middle East, with Amman being a notable destination after Dubai and Tel Aviv.
Air Canada will introduce two new routes from Montreal, further boosting its transatlantic offerings. Starting June 4, 2026, the airline will operate flights to Catania, Sicily, and on June 17, it will commence services to Palma de Mallorca, Spain. The Palma route will be particularly noteworthy as it represents the first scheduled service from Canada to Spain’s Balearic Islands. The aircraft used for this route, the Airbus A321XLR, will feature 182 seats, including 14 in business class.
Key New Routes and Their Significance
The new transatlantic routes are set to improve travel options for passengers heading to popular destinations. Delta Air Lines will also expand its international footprint with several new services from Seattle to Rome Fiumicino and Barcelona, scheduled to launch on May 6 and May 7, 2026, respectively. These routes will provide four weekly flights to Rome and three weekly flights to Barcelona using the Airbus A330-900.
American Airlines will enhance its offerings with daily flights from Dallas/Fort Worth to Athens starting May 21, 2026, further increasing the options for travelers heading to Greece from the United States.
The overall increase in transatlantic flights is expected to cater to a growing demand for international travel, particularly to destinations that have been less accessible in recent years. As airlines introduce these new routes, they reflect a broader trend of expanding networks to meet the needs of leisure travelers seeking new experiences abroad.
While these new routes will certainly attract attention, it is essential to note that they do not include previously served airport pairs, even if those services ceased some time ago. The focus remains on fresh connections that will debut in 2026, ensuring that passengers have new travel options to explore.
As the aviation industry continues to recover and adapt post-pandemic, these developments signal a renewed optimism for international travel. Airlines are strategically positioning themselves to capture the interest of travelers eager to explore new destinations and reconnect with family and friends across the Atlantic.
