Eight new transatlantic routes will debut in 2026, linking the US and Canada to Europe and the Middle East with airport pairs that have not been previously served. The upcoming services reflect growing demand for direct international connections from North American cities.
Among the newly announced routes is Etihad’s planned service from Abu Dhabi to Charlotte, marking the first time a Middle Eastern carrier will operate at Charlotte Douglas International Airport. This airport serves as a hub for American Airlines, which accounts for 88% of its flights. The route covers 6,437 nautical miles (11,921 km) each way and will operate four times weekly using a Boeing 787-9. Passengers traveling through Abu Dhabi will have access to US pre-clearance facilities.
Delta Air Lines will launch two new transatlantic services from Seattle: one to Rome Fiumicino starting May 6 with four weekly Airbus A330-900 flights, and another to Barcelona beginning May 7 with three weekly flights on the same aircraft type. Alaska Airlines has also announced plans to fly between Seattle and Rome but has not yet published a start date or schedule.