A wave of new international flight routes is set to launch from US cities in 2026, promising to connect American travelers with a variety of global destinations. These additions, announced by several major airlines, include long-missed destinations and brand-new links to Europe, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.
The expansion reflects a renewed appetite for global travel, as carriers tap pent-up demand and pursue network growth. From coastal hubs to Sun Belt airports, the new routes will open fresh travel opportunities for both leisure and business passengers.
Delta New Flight Routes in 2026
Delta Air Lines (DL) will introduce a milestone route in October 2026: the first nonstop service between Atlanta and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The route will operate three times per week using Airbus A350-900 aircraft with a four-class cabin.
Delta is also expanding its Mediterranean presence with new seasonal flights from New York JFK to Valletta, Malta, and to Olbia on the island of Sardinia. These additions reflect the airline’s strategy of tapping into warm-weather destinations with strong summer demand.
Latin America, Caribbean, and European Expansion
United Airlines (UA) has several new nonstop routes from Newark, on being to Split, Croatia, operating three times weekly. The carrier will also launch flights to Bari in Italy and Glasgow in Scotland. There will also be flights from the U.S. to Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
JetBlue (B6) will broaden its network with new links from Fort Lauderdale to Cali, Colombia, along with daily service to Liberia, Costa Rica. JetBlue will also launch new flights from Boston to Milan and Barcelona.
These additions support growing U.S.–Latin America leisure travel and provide increased options for South Florida passengers seeking access to emerging destinations.
United will supplement its transatlantic growth with a new daily nonstop flight from Washington-Dulles to Reykjavik, Iceland.
The airline will also introduce a new Newark–Seoul connection, becoming the only U.S. carrier to offer nonstop flights from the East Coast to South Korea’s capital.
Asia-Pacific and Special Destinations
Starlux Airlines (JX) will launch its first U.S. service beyond the West Coast with a new route from Phoenix to Taipei starting January 2026.
The route will be operated with Airbus A350-900s featuring lie-flat business seats and a premium onboard experience.
In a highly anticipated move, Alaska Airlines (AS) will debut its first-ever transatlantic route: nonstop service from Seattle to Rome, operated by Boeing 787-8 aircraft. This marks the carrier’s entrance into long-haul international service beyond North America.
Bottom Line
These 19 international route launches illustrate how U.S. carriers are diversifying their networks and reconnecting with destinations that were historically underserved or previously unserved.
From strategic Middle East expansions to niche European seasonal services, the 2026 schedules demonstrate a strong rebound in global tourism and a shift toward more targeted international connectivity.
Airlines are betting that 2026 will be a landmark year for global travel — delivering more choices, more destinations, and more convenience for American travellers.
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