Delta, United, JetBlue, Air Canada, British Airways, Virgin Atlantic New Airline Routes That Will Boost Travel from Canada and US to Italy, Spain, Denmark, UK, France, Saudi Arabia, What You Need To Know

Something big is happening in the skies — and it’s set to transform how North Americans travel. Delta, United, JetBlue, Air Canada, British Airways, and Virgin Atlantic have all launched new airline routes that promise to supercharge travel from Canada and the US to Italy, Spain, Denmark, the UK, France, and even Saudi Arabia. These aren’t just seasonal flights or minor updates. They’re strategic expansions into some of the most in-demand and culturally rich destinations on the map.

Why now?

What’s driving this surge in transatlantic connectivity? From sun-drenched Mediterranean escapes to the royal elegance of Northern Europe and the rising demand for Middle Eastern gateways, the timing couldn’t be more calculated.

These new airline routes open doors — not just to travel, but to opportunity, business, and cultural exploration. The competition is heating up, and airlines are betting big on where air travelers want to go next destination. Here’s what you absolutely need to know.

If the skies could talk, they’d say: “Buckle up, travelers — 2025 is taking off in style.”

This May, a wave of new airline routes has landed in the global travel scene, offering smoother air connections, shorter travel times, and direct access to once-distant destinations. From the beaches of Sicily to the historic streets of Dakar, airlines around the world are reshaping the way we fly — and where we go.

Here’s a complete look at the most exciting new airline routes launched in May 2025, and what they could mean for your next journey.

U.S. Airlines Expand Their Global Reach

Delta Air Lines

Delta is making bold moves across the Atlantic, beginning with a newly launched daily nonstop flight from New York (JFK) to Catania, Sicily, as of May 21. It marks Delta’s first direct connection to Sicily, opening a major new entry point to the Mediterranean for American travelers. No more navigating multiple layovers — now, Sicily’s ancient ruins, volcano hikes, and culinary delights are just one flight away.

In addition, Delta has added flights from Boston to Barcelona and from Minneapolis/St. Paul to Copenhagen, further expanding its European network just in time for summer.

United Airlines

United is keeping pace, debuting a nonstop route from Newark to Palermo, Sicily on May 21. That makes two new direct gateways to the island in one week — a clear sign that Sicily is climbing the ranks of global tourist favorites.

Even more noteworthy, United launched a new service from Washington Dulles to Dakar, Senegal on May 23. This move deepens access to West Africa, a region often underserved in terms of nonstop air travel. It’s a forward-looking addition that supports both tourism and business development.

JetBlue Adds European Powerhouses

JetBlue is making headlines of its own. On May 22, it introduced two new European routes out of Boston — one to Madrid, and another to Edinburgh. Both services are seasonal and daily, catering to summer travelers eager for European city breaks.

Madrid, with its vibrant street life, royal palaces, and tapas bars, is now more accessible to Americans seeking sun and culture. Edinburgh brings a distinctly different flavor: cobblestone streets, ancient castles, and a literary charm that attracts travelers from around the world.

With these launches, JetBlue continues to shake up the transatlantic market, offering budget-conscious travelers more nonstop choices without compromising on comfort.

Canada Connects to Southern Italy

Air Canada has made a strategic addition to its European lineup with a new route from Montreal to Naples, which began operating on May 16. Southern Italy is rising fast on the list of in-demand travel destinations, and this flight makes it easier for Canadian travelers to access the region’s rich culture and coastal beauty.

Naples serves as a hub for those heading to Pompeii, Capri, and the Amalfi Coast. Now, a direct flight connects Montrealers with one of Italy’s most dynamic and historical cities.

UK Carriers Target Niche and High-Growth Routes

British Airways

British Airways has added a new flight from London Gatwick to Salerno, Italy — a quieter, less commercial gateway to the Amalfi Coast. This route offers a refreshing alternative for travelers seeking authenticity and ease of access to southern Italian gems without the bustle of Naples.

Virgin Atlantic

In a different direction altogether, Virgin Atlantic has announced a route from London Heathrow to Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with daily flights beginning in late March 2025. Though outside the May launch window, it reflects the growing demand for Middle East connections and Saudi Arabia’s ongoing push to welcome more global tourism.

Regional and Budget Carriers Expand Access

Avelo Airlines

Avelo is reinforcing its mission to serve underserved airports in the United States with several new routes from cities like Chicago O’Hare, Portland (Maine), Grand Rapids (Michigan), and Long Island (New York). The focus is domestic, but the impact is significant: more options, better prices, and convenience for travelers outside major hubs.

TUI Airways

UK-based TUI Airways is increasing its summer schedule with new flights from Exeter to Ibiza. This route is ideal for holidaymakers looking for a sunny escape without the need to travel to larger, more congested airports.

Loganair

Loganair, Scotland’s regional carrier, has added a seasonal connection from Edinburgh to Guernsey. Running through early September, this service connects Scotland to the Channel Islands, offering a scenic and serene vacation option just a short flight away.

In just seven days between May 20 and 26, 2025, the global airline industry experienced a high-stakes expansion. More than 20 new international routes launched across the US, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. Airlines from every major alliance made moves designed to capture surging summer demand, expand underserved networks, and target high-yield leisure and diaspora markets.

This is more than a routine schedule update. It’s a seismic realignment of global connectivity — and its impact will ripple across tourism, airports, and local economies for months to come.

United Airlines Sets Strategic Sights on West Africa

On May 23, United Airlines inaugurated its first-ever service to Senegal. The Washington Dulles to Dakar route is the carrier’s fourth nonstop African link from Dulles and its fifth African country overall. This bold expansion into West Africa is part of United’s accelerated international growth strategy.

Despite Dakar being a smaller point-to-point market compared to cities like New York or Montreal, United is banking on long-term potential and regional connectivity. It uses a low-risk, 203-seat Boeing 767-300ER to operate this route three times weekly, year-round.

This new service also marks the first time Washington Dulles and Dakar have been connected nonstop, filling a gap left by Air Senegal’s canceled plan to serve the city via JFK.

United’s move aligns with broader U.S. airline strategies to grow African footprints and tap into diaspora markets with limited existing service.

US–Italy Travel Corridor Explodes with 7 New Routes in 3 Days

Between May 21 and 23, American, Delta, and United jointly launched seven new transatlantic routes to Italy — a remarkable surge that highlights Southern Europe’s growing popularity.

Delta led the charge with four Italian launches:

New York (JFK) to Catania: Sicily’s first-ever U.S. nonstop link.
Atlanta to Naples: Bringing southern charm to southern Italy.
Boston to Milan: Reviving a route not flown since 2008.
Minneapolis to Rome: Reestablishing service lost in 2016.

United joined in with:

Newark to Palermo: The first-ever nonstop between these cities, complementing Neos’ Palermo–JFK service.
Washington Dulles to Venice: A completely new nonstop link.

Meanwhile, American Airlines added:

Philadelphia to Milan: A new addition to American’s Italy portfolio, flown by the 787-8.

This Italian blitz reflects U.S. demand for immersive travel, food culture, and coastal experiences — and airlines are seizing every opportunity to serve it.

JetBlue Deepens European Footprint with Spain and Scotland

JetBlue, one of the most disruptive players in the U.S. aviation landscape, made bold additions on May 22 with two new transatlantic launches from Boston.

First, it debuted Boston to Madrid — marking JetBlue’s first entry into Spain. Operating with its premium-heavy Airbus A321LR, the route now competes directly with Iberia, creating the first two-carrier service on this route since Norwegian exited in 2019.

Second, JetBlue launched Boston to Edinburgh, doubling its Scottish footprint. The route uses the larger A321neo and becomes JetBlue’s second-shortest European route after Dublin. For Edinburgh, this marks the return of dual-carrier service after Delta’s departure.

These moves show JetBlue’s commitment to growing its international presence by targeting niche, high-demand transatlantic city pairs with underserved competition.

Air France Reclaims Premium Ground in Riyadh and Orlando

Air France is back in two long-haul markets — and it’s returning with force.

On May 19, it resumed Paris CDG to Riyadh with five weekly flights using high-capacity A350-900s. The Saudi capital has become Paris’s highest-yielding Middle Eastern market, driven by premium cabin demand from business travelers. Air France’s return here is tactical — targeting high-yield fares over high-volume routes like Jeddah.

Just two days later, on May 21, Air France also reintroduced Paris CDG to Orlando, a leisure-heavy market it last served in 2012. With 78,000 point-to-point passengers in 2024, Orlando was Paris CDG’s most significant unserved U.S. route. The airline now operates it four times weekly with modern A350s.

These reactivations aren’t just nostalgic comebacks — they’re focused plays aimed at capturing profitability and brand dominance in underserved yet high-value corridors.

Delta and SAS Boost Denmark’s Long-Haul Reach

May 21 and 22 brought Denmark two significant long-haul developments via SkyTeam allies Delta and SAS.

SAS resumed its Copenhagen to Seattle service after a 16-year absence, using the 300-seat A350-900. The seasonal route reinforces SAS’s growing U.S. network and strengthens ties between the Pacific Northwest and Scandinavia.

Delta followed by launching its own brand-new route from Minneapolis to Copenhagen. This marks the first time Delta has served the Danish capital with two routes since Atlanta service ended in 2011. The new service runs three times weekly and adds strategic reach into Northern Europe.

These flights reflect a growing trend: American and European carriers are reviving and diversifying transatlantic routes that offer both business and leisure appeal without oversaturating primary hubs.

Pegasus and British Airways Expand Regional Europe

In Central and Eastern Europe, Pegasus Airlines extended its Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen operations with new flights to Cluj-Napoca, Romania, and Algiers, Algeria, on May 20 and 23 respectively. These routes support Pegasus’ hub strategy while tapping into regional demand that is underserved by Istanbul’s primary airport.

Meanwhile, British Airways EuroFlyer added London Gatwick to Salerno, Italy, on May 22. Salerno’s relaunch last July followed a 12-year absence of service. Now, it offers another access point to the Amalfi Coast and reduces congestion at Naples.

This is part of a trend where secondary cities are emerging as strategic launchpads for leisure-focused carriers offering alternative gateways into popular regions.

Frontier Returns to Spokane

On May 20, Frontier Airlines resumed service to Spokane from Denver, using a mix of A320neo, A321neo, and A321ceo aircraft. The return of this route helps grow Spokane’s local traffic, which reached 141,000 annual passengers last year.

Frontier last served the route in 2022 and now rejoins United and Southwest in offering nonstop Denver access. With the restart, Spokane now sees a peak of seven daily flights — offering travelers more competition and choice.

A Week That Reshaped Global Travel

This burst of route launches wasn’t a coincidence — it’s a coordinated response to rebounding demand, shifting geopolitical dynamics, and evolving traveler habits. Airlines are not just recovering; they’re strategically retooling their networks for relevance, growth, and profitability.

Tourism boards, airport operators, and travel agencies should brace for change. These new routes will funnel tourism dollars into previously secondary cities, create jobs, and accelerate the post-pandemic tourism revival.

This is a turning point in global connectivity. And for travelers, it’s never been easier to explore new horizons — fast, direct, and without compromise.

Why These New Routes Matter

This surge of new airline routes in May 2025 signals more than just industry recovery. It shows realignment — and opportunity. These launches highlight how airlines are responding to passenger demands for faster, more efficient, and more geographically diverse travel options.

Nonstop routes reduce friction and stress, saving time and eliminating complicated layovers. As travel preferences shift toward flexible, immersive, and wellness-oriented experiences, airlines are adjusting their networks to match.

There’s also a noticeable broadening of scope. Cities like Palermo, Salerno, Dakar, and Guernsey may not be major international gateways, but they represent a growing desire for authenticity, culture, and unexplored beauty.

Tips for Travelers

With new routes opening, travelers have more power to plan smarter, save money, and avoid the usual bottlenecks at major hubs.

Book early: Airlines often launch new routes with promotional fares.
Be flexible: Seasonal routes may only operate during high-demand periods.
Check the fine print: Low-cost carriers sometimes have strict baggage rules.
Use tools like price alerts: This helps you snag deals as demand increases.

Looking Ahead

May 2025 has proven that airlines are not only recovering — they’re innovating. As global demand shifts and new regions rise in popularity, travelers benefit from greater choice and access. Whether your next destination is a historic European city, a Mediterranean coastline, or an African capital, chances are there’s now a more direct way to get there.

So, if you’ve been waiting for the right time to travel, this may be your signal. The world is opening up, one nonstop flight at a time.

Source: Simpleflying and Map Not to Scale

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