It’s time to grab your passport and double check that expiration date: you’ll want that little blue booklet renewed and ready to go for 2026, when a wealth of exciting new international flights will launch from cities across the US.
Airlines are getting creative with their route maps next year and adding new international service to secluded Caribbean islands, storybook European villages, and bustling Asian capitals. No matter where you might live in the US, there’s an international route coming to an airport near you—carriers are adding flights in numerous regions throughout America, from the Midwest and West Coast to the South and Northeast.
These new routes are exciting for a lot of reasons. Many will pair cities that have never before been connected by airlift, and some airlines are resuming international service that has been on hiatus for decades.
Below, we take a look at 19 international flights launching from the US in 2026 that the editors at Condé Nast Traveler can’t wait to board.
Split is Croatia’s second-largest city, known for its historic sites and Roman ruins.
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United Airlines
Split, Croatia
Starting April 30, United will begin the first nonstop service between the US and Split, Croatia’s second-largest city known for its historic sites, Roman ruins, and as a gateway to the country’s natural wonders like Krka National Park and the Dalmatian Islands. The airline will operate three flights per week from Newark, New Jersey, to Split using its Boeing 767-300ER planes. The jets are outfitted with the airline’s plush Polaris business class, as well as Premium Plus, which is United’s premium economy product.
Seoul, South Korea
United will become the only US carrier with nonstop service between Newark and the Korean capital when it launches new daily flights to Seoul on September 4. The bustling metropolis is ever-popular for the vast variety of things to see and do in Seoul, including exploring the city’s renowned contemporary art scene, cool shopping districts, and cutting-edge beauty and wellness treatments (salmon sperm injections, anyone?). Hop on United’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliners heading to Incheon airport to explore all that Seoul has to offer.
Santiago de Compostela, Spain
As the capital of Spain’s Galicia region, Santiago de Compostela is best known for its medieval architecture and amazingly fresh seafood. It’s also famous for being the endpoint of the iconic cross-country Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. Starting May 27, United will debut the first-ever regularly scheduled service from the US to the small city: a thrice-weekly seasonal flight from Newark into Santiago-Rosalía de Castro Airport, using its single-aisle Boeing 737 Max 8 jets. The small planes don’t have lie-flat seats, but do have a premium cabin with 16 plush perches.
Delta will fly nonstop to the Maltese capital from New York JFK three times per week beginning on June 7, 2026.
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Delta Air Lines
Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Delta will make history in 2026 when it launches the first-ever nonstop flight between the US and Saudi Arabia. The kingdom has been focused on opening its borders to tourists in recent years as part of its Vision 2030 blueprint to diversify its economy. Delta plans to start thrice-weekly flights from its hub in Atlanta to the Saudi capital city in October 2026 using its Airbus A350-900 aircraft. The planes feature four cabin classes, including Delta One suites with lie-flat beds and Delta Premium Select, its long-haul premium economy cabin.
Valletta, Malta
With a combination of captivating history, striking architecture, and golden Mediterranean sun, Malta is an irresistible destination for all types of travelers. Delta will debut a nonstop route from New York JFK to the island nation’s capital of Valletta on June 7. Flights will operate three times per week on the carrier’s Boeing 767-300ER planes, which also offer a four-cabin design and include Delta One suites. Once in Valletta, visitors can tour historic sites older than the pyramids of Egypt or sail across the stunning Blue Lagoon.
Sardinia, Italy
Also launching in summer 2026 from JFK is Delta’s new route to the Italian island of Sardinia. The carrier will fly four times a week into Olbia Costa Smeralda Airport starting on May 20. Travelers can nab a seat on Delta’s Boeing 767-300ER, and in nine hours, land among the rugged seaside cliffs and aquamarine waters that have made visitors swoon over Sardinia for centuries. There’s plenty to do and see inland, too, with sun-drenched hiking trails and small trattorias serving handmade pasta.
Cali, Colombia is a brand new destination for JetBlue.
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JetBlue
Cali, Colombia
JetBlue will add a brand new point to its route map in 2026 when it starts nonstop flights to Cali, Colombia, from Southern Florida’s Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport. The carrier is still working out the details of the new route, like the official launch date, flight frequency, and aircraft it will use, but what’s certain is that US travelers will have a new connection to the western Colombian city known for its salsa clubs and delicious street food.
Liberia, Costa Rica
Another new route launching out of Fort Lauderdale will be JetBlue’s new service to Liberia, Costa Rica. The year-round, daily flight kicks off on December 4, 2025, aboard the carrier’s Airbus A320 planes. Liberia is an inland city located in northwest Costa Rica and is popular for its national parks featuring tropical flora and fauna, waterfalls, and volcanic landscapes. The beach is a short jaunt away, where travelers will find world-class surfing areas like Tamarindo.
American Airlines’ new Dallas to Athens flight route makes the popular European travel destination even more accessible.
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Budapest, Hungary
Traveling to one of the most stunning capitals in Europe will be significantly easier for American tourists in 2026, when American Airlines launches the only nonstop route from the US to Budapest, Hungary. Seasonal summer service will begin May 21 aboard American’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner aircraft. Budapest, split in half by the Danube River, looms large in the imaginations of travelers thanks to its numerous Gothic castles and Baroque architecture. It’s a wonderful destination to stroll among the landmark buildings, as well as an ideal starting point for a river cruise or European rail adventure.
Athens, Greece
On May 21, American Airlines will begin a new route from its home hub at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport to Athens, Greece, making it simple for Texas travelers to get to one of the most popular summer destinations in all of Europe. Flights will operate seasonally in the summer only on board Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners. Once on the ground, travelers can use Athens as a base for island hopping around the Greek archipelago, or they can choose to stay put and explore timeless sites like the Acropolis, the city’s many museums, and its coveted dining scene. The new route will be American’s fifth nonstop service to the Greek capital.
Bimini, Bahamas
Not all of American’s new international flights will be long-haul routes. In fact, the carrier is set to launch one of its shortest hops that still departs the US: a quick, 60-minute flight from Miami to Bimini in the Out Islands of The Bahamas. Although quick, the route will nonetheless add priceless convenience for travelers, as it will be the only nonstop service from the US to Bimini when it kicks off on February 14. American will use an efficient Embraer 175 aircraft to operate the route, but the small regional jet will still offer a premium cabin. Known for turquoise waters, powder-soft beaches, and awe-inspiring marine life, Bimini is an ideal getaway for travelers looking to relax as well as those seeking aquatic adventure.
Travelers will be able to fly from Seattle to the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik starting next spring.
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Rome, Italy
Alaska Airlines is set to debut its first-ever route to Europe in May 2026 with the launch of nonstop flights from Seattle to Rome. The historic route will make it much simpler for travelers in the Pacific Northwest to connect to one of the most beloved cities in Italy, as well as offering easier one-stop connections for passengers in Hawaii and along the West Coast. The airline plans to use its Boeing 787-8 Dreamliners to operate flights four times per week. On board the jets, passengers can expect 34 fully enclosed lie-flat suites in business class.
Reykjavik, Iceland
As part of its larger international expansion at its Seattle hub, Alaska Airlines will launch new flights from SEA to the Icelandic capital of Reykjavik in spring 2026. The carrier will use its single-aisle Boeing 737 Max 8 on the route. The planes have 12 seats in first class, but don’t offer a lie-flat bed experience. West Coast travelers will no doubt benefit from the new convenient link to The Land of Fire and Ice, which is full of majestic natural wonders, from glacial formations and geothermal lagoons to volcanoes and the northern lights.
Starlux Airlines, which offers lavish first class and lie-flat business class seats, will connect Arizona and Taipei for the first time beginning in early 2026.
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Starlux Airlines
Phoenix to Taipei
Taiwan-based carrier Starlux Airlines will connect the island’s capital of Taipei with Arizona for the first time when it launches its nonstop route to Phoenix on January 15. The luxury carrier will use its Airbus A350-900 aircraft to fly three flights per week. On board, the A350 jet has four ultra-lavish seats in first class and 26 lie-flat seats with privacy doors and direct aisle access. In Taipei, tourists will have plenty to explore, including the city’s temples, world-famous street food, and the area’s subtropical national parks.
The new British Airways route will be the first time in 23 years that St. Louis has a direct flight to the UK.
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British Airways
St. Louis to London
Travelers in middle America will get an easy link to London’s iconic museums, architecture, and pub culture when British Airways launches nonstop flights from Heathrow to St. Louis on April 19. The new route will have four flights per week, and it will make British Airways the only airline in the UK to serve St. Louis nonstop. It will also be the first time St. Louis has been directly connected with the UK in 23 years. Passengers can choose from one of three cabin classes on board the carrier’s Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner planes, including Club World business class that offers a lie-flat bed and 17-inch entertainment screen.
Cathay Pacific is resuming its nonstop route between Hong Kong and Seattle after a multi-year pause.
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Cathay Pacific
Seattle to Hong Kong
During the pandemic, Cathay Pacific suspended its nonstop route between Hong Kong and Seattle. On March 30, the carrier will finally resume it, with flights operating five times per week between the two destinations on board Cathay’s Airbus A350-900 jets. The planes offer a business class cabin with lie-flat seats and delicious dim sum meals, a preview of the jaw-dropping culinary scene you’ll find on the ground in Hong Kong. Passengers can also book into Cathay’s premium economy cabin, which ranks among our favorites in the sky.
