In 2026, several major North American airlines are set to initiate new transatlantic flights, expanding direct connections to Europe, the Middle East, and Southeast Europe. These routes include historic nonstop flights, such as Air Transat's Toronto to Tirana service, the first direct link between North America and Albania, and Alaska Airlines' inaugural flight from Seattle to Rome. Additionally, airlines like American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, United Airlines, and Delta are adding seasonal flights to destinations including Catania, Athens, Budapest, and Malta.
Air Transat will operate seasonally between Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and Tirana International Airport Mother Teresa (TIA) using Airbus A330 aircraft, marking a significant expansion into the Balkans. Similarly, Air Canada will launch summer seasonal service from Montreal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL) to Catania / Fontanarossa Airport (CTA) in Italy, utilizing Boeing 787 Dreamliners.
New and Notable Routes
In the US, Delta will connect New York John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) with Malta International Airport (MLA) three times weekly, using Boeing 767-300ER aircraft. Concurrently, Alaska Airlines is introducing seasonal nonstop service from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to Rome Fiumicino Airport (FCO) with Boeing 787 aircraft.
American Airlines will serve Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) to Athens International Airport (ATH) daily during the summer, providing direct access to Greece using Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Additionally, the airline will operate seasonal flights from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) to Budapest Liszt Ferenc International Airport (BUD), and from Dallas to Athens, further broadening transatlantic connectivity.
United Airlines announced a historic first nonstop route from Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) to Santiago de Compostela Airport (SCQ), operating three times weekly with Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, connecting the US directly to Galicia, Spain. Also, United plans to launch a nonstop service from Newark to Split Airport (SPU) in Croatia, utilizing Boeing 767-300ER aircraft, emphasizing leisure and cultural tourism.
Delta’s new route from New York JFK to Riyadh Airport (RUH) represents a major breakthrough, operating with Airbus A350-900 aircraft, marking the first direct US–Saudi Arabia service and reflecting growing economic ties. The route will operate three times weekly during the upcoming season, fostering tourism and business exchange between the two regions.
