The transatlantic expansion of 2026
The year 2026 marks a significant expansion in transatlantic connectivity, with North American airlines launching exciting new routes to Europe, the Mediterranean and the Middle East. These new services open up previously underserved destinations and provide travelers with more direct options than ever before.
From historic cities in Albania and Hungary to sun-soaked Mediterranean islands and emerging destinations in Saudi Arabia, these routes represent both strategic network expansion and response to growing traveler demand for diverse international destinations.
This article is based on comprehensive route data originally compiled by Simple Flying in their analysis of 2026's most exciting new airline routes. We've reimagined this data with interactive maps and downloadable route information for aviation enthusiasts.
Air Transat: Toronto to Tirana
Canada meets Albania - The first nonstop North America to Tirana link
Route: Toronto Pearson (YYZ) → Tirana International Airport (TIA)
Distance: 5,285 miles
Flight Time: ~10 hours
Aircraft: Airbus A330
Frequency: 2-3 times weekly (seasonal)
Air Transat makes aviation history with this groundbreaking route, establishing the only nonstop connection between North America and Albania. This service represents a major milestone for travelers seeking direct access to Albania's stunning Adriatic coast, vibrant capital, and gateway location to the Balkans.
Tirana has emerged as an increasingly popular destination for leisure travelers, digital nomads, and diaspora communities. The city offers Ottoman-era architecture, dynamic street life, affordable prices, and serves as an excellent base for exploring wider Balkan treasures including Lake Ohrid and neighboring Montenegro.
Operating with widebody Airbus A330 aircraft, this niche but meaningful addition to the transatlantic map fills an underserved market while connecting Canada's Albanian diaspora directly with their homeland.
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Air Canada: Montreal to Catania
A slice of Sicily from Quebec's airspace
Route: Montréal–Trudeau International (YUL) → Catania Fontanarossa Airport (CTA)
Distance: 4,565 miles
Flight Time: ~9 hours
Aircraft: Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Frequency: 3 times weekly (seasonal)
Air Canada expands its European network with this strategic new service connecting French-speaking Canada directly with Sicily's second-largest city. The route caters to Montreal's substantial Sicilian diaspora while opening up one of Italy's most captivating Mediterranean destinations to Canadian leisure travelers.
Catania serves as the gateway to Mount Etna's volcanic landscapes, ancient Greek and Roman ruins, pristine coastal areas and Sicily's renowned culinary heritage. The direct connection eliminates the need for layovers in major European hubs, making Sicily more accessible than ever to North American travelers.
Part of Air Canada's broader wave of transatlantic expansion, this seasonal service reflects growing demand for direct access to Southern Europe's sun-soaked shores and authentic cultural experiences.
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Alaska Airlines: Seattle to Rome
Alaska goes transatlantic with its first European destination
Route: Seattle-Tacoma International (SEA) → Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO)
Distance: 5,842 miles
Flight Time: ~11 hours
Aircraft: Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Frequency: 4 times weekly (seasonal)
In a transformative move for its network, Alaska Airlines launches its first summer season transatlantic service, marking a major strategic shift from domestic and North American regional operations to competitive long-haul international flying.
Rome, the Eternal City, stands as one of Europe's most prestigious destinations, renowned for its ancient history, world-class museums, extraordinary food culture, and iconic architecture. This new link positions Seattle as a true international gateway on the West Coast and gives Alaska passengers direct access to Italy's capital.
Operating on Boeing 787 widebody aircraft, the service provides the range and passenger comfort essential for transatlantic crossings while demonstrating Alaska's bold network ambitions following its integration with Virgin America.
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American Airlines: Dallas to Athens
Greek summer getaways from the Lone Star State
Route: Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW) → Athens International Airport (ATH)
Distance: 6,164 miles
Flight Time: ~11 hours 30 minutes
Aircraft: Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Frequency: Daily (seasonal)
American Airlines continues its European expansion strategy with daily seasonal service to Greece's historic capital. Operating aboard Boeing 787 Dreamliners with lie-flat business seats, Premium Economy, and Main Cabin service, this route brings long-haul comfort to one of Europe's most compelling destinations.
Athens masterfully blends ancient history with contemporary energy, offering the Acropolis, world-class museums, vibrant neighborhoods and exceptional Mediterranean cuisine. Its strategic location also provides convenient connections to Greece's legendary islands, Santorini, Mykonos, Crete and dozens more.
The nonstop service from DFW opens up Greece to Texans and broader US travelers through American's extensive domestic network, eliminating connection points and reducing total travel time.
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American Airlines: Philadelphia to Budapest
Central Europe gets enhanced connectivity
Route: Philadelphia International (PHL) → Budapest Liszt Ferenc International (BUD)
Distance: 4,664 miles
Flight Time: ~9 hours 30 minutes
Aircraft: Boeing 787 Dreamliner
Frequency: Daily (seasonal, starting May 21, 2026)
American Airlines restores one of the most anticipated transatlantic links, marking the only nonstop service between the United States and Hungary's capital for summer 2026. This route reconnects the two cities for the first time since before the pandemic.
Budapest ranks among Europe's most beautiful capitals, famous for its thermal baths, historic Buda Castle perched above the Danube River, stunning Parliament building, vibrant ruin bars and affordable luxury. The city appeals equally to leisure travelers seeking culture and relaxation, and business travelers requiring efficient US connectivity.
Operating on Boeing 787 Dreamliners with Flagship Business, Premium Economy, and Main Cabin, the service offers comfortable transatlantic travel while Philadelphia's robust domestic network enables convenient one-stop connections across North America.
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United Airlines: Newark to Santiago de Compostela
First US nonstop to Spain's pilgrimage capital
Route: Newark Liberty International (EWR) → Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ)
Distance: 3,562 miles
Flight Time: ~7 hours 30 minutes
Aircraft: Boeing 737 MAX 8
Frequency: 3 times weekly (seasonal)
United Airlines creates a historic first: the inaugural regularly scheduled nonstop service from the United States to Santiago de Compostela, the spiritual and cultural heart of Galicia in northwest Spain.
Santiago de Compostela serves as the endpoint of the legendary Camino de Santiago, one of Christianity's most important pilgrimage routes and a popular long-distance walking trail attracting hundreds of thousands annually. The city's medieval old town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) features stunning architecture, including the magnificent cathedral housing the shrine of St. James.
Uniquely, United operates this transatlantic route with a narrowbody Boeing 737 MAX 8, demonstrating how modern efficient aircraft enable point-to-point service to secondary cities. The location also provides excellent rail and bus connections across northern Spain and into Portugal.
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United Airlines: Newark to Split
Croatia's Adriatic gem gets US nonstop service
Route: Newark Liberty International (EWR) → Split Airport (SPU)
Distance: 4,590 miles
Flight Time: ~9 hours 30 minutes
Aircraft: Boeing 767-300ER
Frequency: 3 times weekly (seasonal)
United's summer 2026 expansion includes the first-ever nonstop flight between the United States and Split, Croatia's captivating coastal city on the Dalmatian coast.
Split seamlessly blends ancient Roman heritage (including the magnificent UNESCO-listed Diocletian's Palace), stunning waterfront promenades, vibrant café culture, and serves as the primary gateway to Croatia's legendary Dalmatian islands: Hvar, Brač, Korčula, and Vis among them. Once requiring multiple connections, this Mediterranean paradise is now just one flight from the US East Coast.
Operating on Boeing 767-300ER aircraft with Polaris business class and Premium Plus cabins, the service reflects shifting travel demand toward Mediterranean destinations that combine beach relaxation, cultural exploration and authentic local experiences.
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Delta Air Lines: New York to Olbia
Direct access to Sardinia's Costa Smeralda
Route: New York John F. Kennedy International (JFK) → Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport (OLB)
Distance: 4,738 miles
Flight Time: ~9 hours 30 minutes
Aircraft: Boeing 767-300ER
Frequency: 4 times weekly (seasonal)
Delta Air Lines taps into the luxury travel market with new service to Olbia, the gateway to Sardinia's exclusive Costa Smeralda region and the island's pristine beaches, crystal-clear waters and rugged interior.
Sardinia has evolved from a well-kept Mediterranean secret to one of Europe's most desirable destinations, known for its unique culture, archaeological treasures dating back millennia, world-class wines, and some of the continent's most spectacular coastline. The island offers both five-star luxury resorts and authentic agriturismo experiences.
Operating on Boeing 767-300ER aircraft featuring Delta One, Premium Select, Delta Comfort+, and Main Cabin, this lifestyle-driven route delivers North American travelers directly to an Italian island paradise without European hub connections.
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Delta Air Lines: New York to Malta
Mediterranean's multilingual island nation
Route: New York John F. Kennedy International (JFK) → Malta International Airport (MLA)
Distance: 4,483 miles
Flight Time: ~9 hours
Aircraft: Boeing 767-300ER
Frequency: 3 times weekly (seasonal)
Delta's second Mediterranean island destination connects New York with Malta, a compact archipelago blending North African, Italian and British influences into a unique cultural experience.
Malta offers year-round sunshine, crystal-clear waters perfect for diving, 7,000 years of history including megalithic temples older than Stonehenge, and Valletta, a UNESCO World Heritage capital city packed with baroque architecture and vibrant street life. English serves as an official language alongside Maltese, making it exceptionally accessible to American travelers.
Notably, this route emerged from Delta's innovative "Route Race" initiative, where employees and loyalty program members voted on new destinations, demonstrating customer-driven network planning. The service currently stands as the only direct US-Malta connection.
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Delta Air Lines: Atlanta to Riyadh
Historic first: Nonstop US service to Saudi Arabia
Route: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International (ATL) → Riyadh Airport (RUH)
Distance: 7,310 miles
Flight Time: ~13 hours
Aircraft: Airbus A350-900
Frequency: 3 times weekly (starting October 23, 2026)
Delta's new nonstop to Riyadh arguably represents 2026's most significant transatlantic breakthrough, both in distance and geopolitical importance. This service marks the first US airline to fly directly between North America and Saudi Arabia, opening a new chapter in aviation connectivity.
Saudi Arabia has recently opened to international tourism, transforming Riyadh from a primarily business destination into a multifaceted travel hub. The capital is undergoing extraordinary development, including futuristic mega-projects, luxury hotels, cultural initiatives and historic preservation efforts showcasing Saudi heritage.
Operating on state-of-the-art Airbus A350-900 aircraft with Delta One suites, Premium Select, Comfort+, and Main Cabin, this ~13-hour route bridges two major economic centers. It serves business travelers, the Saudi diaspora in North America, tourists exploring Saudi Arabia's emerging offerings and religious pilgrims connecting onward to Makkah and Madinah.
This route expands the traditional definition of transatlantic travel beyond Europe into the Middle East, reflecting 21st-century global connectivity patterns.
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View all new routes on one map
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What these routes mean for travelers
Emerging destination access
Many of these routes target secondary cities and emerging destinations that previously required multiple connections. Tirana, Split, Santiago de Compostela and Olbia exemplify how airlines are moving beyond traditional gateway cities to bring travelers directly to their final destinations.
Diaspora connectivity
Several routes specifically serve diaspora communities, connecting North America's Albanian, Sicilian, Hungarian, and Greek populations with their ancestral homelands. These cultural connections often drive route viability beyond pure tourism metrics.
Mediterranean expansion
The Mediterranean stands out as a clear focus, with five routes serving Italian islands, Croatia, Greece and Malta. This reflects sustained North American demand for beach destinations combining relaxation with cultural depth.
Modern aircraft enabling new possibilities
Fuel-efficient widebody aircraft like the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 make these routes economically viable. Even narrowbody 737 MAX aircraft now cross the Atlantic, opening transatlantic service to smaller markets.
Seasonal strategies
Most routes operate seasonally, capitalizing on summer European tourism demand while avoiding winter's lower passenger volumes. This allows airlines to redeploy aircraft to other routes during off-peak periods.
Booking and planning tips
Book early for inaugural seasons
New routes often sell out quickly during inaugural seasons as aviation enthusiasts and curious travelers rush to try them. Early booking typically provides better fares and seat selection.
Consider shoulder seasons
Late spring (May) and early fall (September-October) offer lower fares, smaller crowds and pleasant weather at most destinations while still maintaining decent flight frequency.
Check equipment changes
Airlines sometimes substitute aircraft types, especially on new routes. Verify your specific flight's equipment closer to departure if cabin configuration matters to your booking decision.
Leverage hub connections
These routes connect through major hubs (JFK, ATL, EWR, DFW, SEA, etc.), offering excellent one-stop connectivity from across North America via the operating airline's domestic network.
Monitor route performance
New routes face uncertainty. Some succeed and become year-round, others remain seasonal and a few get discontinued. Follow aviation news to understand route performance and future plans.
Track your 2026 adventures
Planning to fly any of these exciting new routes? Add them to your My Flight Routes account to track your journey, compare distances and aircraft types, and share your travel experiences with fellow aviation enthusiasts. Use the CSV downloads and share links above to quickly import routes and visualize your upcoming adventures.
This article is based on comprehensive route analysis originally published by Simple Flying . We've reimagined their data with interactive maps, downloadable CSVs and integration with My Flight Routes for enhanced features and tracking capabilities. For additional details on frequencies, booking information and the latest updates, please consult the original Simple Flying article and individual airline websites.