Air Transat Launches Montreal–Reykjavik, Its First-Ever Iceland Service
Air Transat inaugurated its first-ever service to Iceland on June 16, adding Montreal–Reykjavik as a weekly seasonal route and giving Canadian travelers a new nonstop alternative to Icelandair and Air Canada.
WestJet Launches Toronto–Ponta Delgada, a Three-Airline Azores Race
WestJet launched Toronto–Ponta Delgada on June 12, creating a rare three-airline battle on a single transatlantic route after Air Canada debuted the same pairing just one day earlier.
50 New Routes Launching In June 2026
Air Canada launched its first-ever nonstop service between Montreal and Nantes on June 10, one of the inaugural transatlantic missions for the airline's newly delivered Airbus A321XLR fleet.
Saudi-backed Riyadh Air lands maiden flight as Iran conflict rages
Saudi startup Riyadh Air launched its first-ever commercial flight on June 10, inaugurating daily nonstop service from Riyadh to London Heathrow three weeks ahead of its original July 1 date following early delivery of its 787-9 fleet.
Qatar Airways Returns to Philadelphia with Daily Flights
Qatar Airways will resume daily Doha–Philadelphia service from August 1, filling the gap left by American Airlines and expanding its North American network to 14 destinations with Qsuite-equipped A350-900 aircraft.
Etihad and TAROM Open New Links Across Eastern Europe
Etihad Airways confirmed its Abu Dhabi–Bucharest resumption will launch December 17, announcing a codeshare with Romania's TAROM at the IATA AGM in Rio de Janeiro that links six Romanian cities and four Eastern European capitals to Abu Dhabi.
Riyadh Air opens ticket sales for Dubai, Cairo, Madrid, Manchester and Jeddah as Saudi airline accelerates expansion
Saudi Arabia's new carrier Riyadh Air announced on June 8 that it will launch three-weekly Riyadh–Manchester service starting July 23, marking the airline's second UK destination as it accelerates its public network rollout.
Isle take two: Sardinia and Malta chosen as Delta's newest island destinations
Delta Air Lines became the first North American carrier to serve Malta on 7 June 2026, launching three-weekly seasonal nonstop flights from New York JFK to Malta International Airport aboard a Boeing 767-300ER.
Delta deepens LAX investment with new service to Hong Kong and Chicago
Delta Air Lines ended an eight-year absence from Hong Kong on 6 June 2026, launching daily nonstop service from Los Angeles LAX aboard an Airbus A350-900 and becoming the third US carrier on the route alongside Cathay Pacific and United Airlines.
TAAG Expands Long-Haul Network with Direct Luanda-Guangzhou Flights
TAAG Angola Airlines confirmed on 4 June 2026 the launch of weekly nonstop flights between Luanda and Guangzhou starting 23 June, opening the only direct air link between Angola and mainland China aboard a Boeing 787-9.
Airlink inaugurates new Zanzibar-Johannesburg route
South African regional carrier Airlink inaugurated twice-weekly year-round service from Johannesburg to Zanzibar on 3 June 2026, deploying its new Embraer E195-E2 flagship on the route's first international mission for that aircraft type.
Air Transat Revives Quebec City–Nantes, First Direct Since Corsair
Air Transat revives Quebec City–Nantes direct service for the first time since Corsair ended the route in 2014, with the launch helping push Nantes past 100,000 total annual seats to and from Canada for the first time ever.
Air Canada Launches Halifax–Brussels, Its Longest 737 MAX Route
Air Canada launches Halifax–Brussels with a 737 MAX 8, setting a new distance record as Air Canada's longest-ever service from Nova Scotia at 2,670 nautical miles and giving the province its first direct Star Alliance hub link to Belgium.
Iberia Launches Direct Flights to Monterrey
Iberia launched its first nonstop route to Monterrey on June 2, making the Spanish flag carrier only the second airline — alongside Aeromexico — to offer a direct Madrid–Monterrey service, and pushing Iberia's total Mexico–Europe seats past 800,000 for 2026.
WestJet expands transatlantic and domestic network, strengthening Halifax as Canada's Atlantic gateway
WestJet launched the first-ever nonstop service between Canada's Maritime provinces and Denmark on May 28, marking its debut in Copenhagen and giving Atlantic Canada travellers direct access to Scandinavia for the first time.
Royal Air Maroc Launches First Nonstop Service Between Los Angeles and Casablanca
Royal Air Maroc creates Africa's first direct air link to the U.S. West Coast with a three-weekly Casablanca–Los Angeles nonstop launching June 7, timed ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
EVA Air Launches Nonstop Service Between Taipei and Washington, D.C. on June 26
EVA Air becomes the first Taiwanese carrier to serve Washington Dulles, launching four weekly nonstop flights from Taipei on June 26 and expanding its North American network to 10 gateways.
China Eastern Airlines to Launch 'Shanghai-Zurich' Service on June 18
China Eastern Airlines opens Shanghai Pudong–Zurich on June 18 with three weekly A350-900 flights, giving Switzerland a second direct Chinese carrier connection alongside the existing Shanghai–Geneva route.
Israel's El Al to resume San Francisco flights to link Tel Aviv and Silicon Valley
El Al restores nonstop Tel Aviv–San Francisco service from October 25, reviving a pandemic-era casualty and making San Francisco the carrier's sixth U.S. destination.
Air Transat Launches New Non-Stop Service Between Montreal and Istanbul
Air Transat adds a year-round Montreal–Istanbul nonstop to its Turkish network, giving Canada up to five weekly departures to the city when combined with its existing Toronto service.