Airlines commit to Spain with strategic summer and autumn flights

With a focus on market diversification and improved international connectivity, a number of airlines have announced new direct flights between Spain and major destinations in Eastern Europe, North America, and Asia, many of which are set to launch this summer. This will help Spain’s air network to grow with new connections that boost the visibility of national destinations while attracting a more diverse range of visitors from three continents. Boosting connectivity with North America Madrid – Boston (USA) JetBlue has launched daily flights between Madrid and Boston until October and is considering extending this service year-round starting in 2026. Barcelona – Boston (USA) Delta has launched this new route with three weekly flights (Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays), operated in a codeshare agreement with Air France-KLM. Madrid – Washington (USA) Iberia has resumed this route on its new A321XLR aircraft and will ramp up to daily flights starting in September. Valencia – Montreal (Canada) Air Transat began operating direct flights between these cities in June. This will not be a seasonal route; it will also operate in winter and spring starting in February 2026. This service is on top of the 10 existing connections between Canada and Spain. Opening up to Asia: South Korea is on the radar Malaga – Seoul (South Korea) Korean Air will roll out a pilot program in October with no less than eight charter flights, the result of a successful marketing campaign to promote the Andalusian destination in the South Korean market. This initiative is part of a tour package arranged by Hanjin Travel, one of Asia’s leading tour operators.

Seville Airport will welcome flights from Istanbul, strengthening its links with the Middle East and Asian markets through Turkish Airlines from the hub in the Turkish capital © Aena

New European routes boost regional connectivity Seville – Istanbul (Turkey) Starting September 17, Turkish Airlines will operate a daily route, making Seville its sixth destination in Spain, alongside Madrid, Barcelona, Bilbao, Malaga, and Valencia. Alicante – Chișinău (Moldova) SkyUp has launched the first direct flight between the Costa Blanca and Moldova, with two weekly departures from Alicante-Elche Miguel Hernández Airport to Chișinău. Santander – Bucharest (Romania) The Wizz Air-operated route will switch from seasonal to year-round starting in October, with flights every Tuesday and Saturday.