Global Airlines to launch first daytime A380 flights between US and Europe this summer

The summer flight schedule for 2025 indicates that up to nine daytime flights will operate daily between the US and Europe. Most services involve London Heathrow, a major hub for transatlantic traffic. Changes compared to the previous year include Icelandair ceasing its daytime service from New York JFK to Keflavik and Delta Air Lines and American Airlines ending their respective day routes.

Details of select daytime flights include services by Turkish Airlines, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic, United Airlines, JetBlue, American Airlines, Azores Airlines, and Icelandair. Among these, Global Airlines will operate its flights using a HiFly Malta-operated A380, a 12.5-year-old aircraft that recently received approval for the US's Visa Waiver Program.

These upcoming routes will see the aircraft arriving in New York ahead of their return journeys, incurring significant parking and crew costs. Currently, Global Airlines cannot sell tickets from the US, meaning passengers on these inbound flights will need to fly back on the outbound segment.

The unpopularity of daytime transatlantic flights stems from factors such as shorter distances, fewer timezone changes, and point-to-point demand, which limit the prospects despite potential passenger preferences for minimizing jetlag.