Riyadh Air Launches Daily Riyadh–Dubai Flights as New Saudi Carrier Expands Rapidly
Riyadh Air launched daily Boeing 787-9 flights between Riyadh and Dubai on June 18, the Saudi startup's third scheduled route as it builds toward a 100-destination network.
Air Canada Opens Halifax–Brussels Nonstop, Its Second European Route From Atlantic Canada
Air Canada launched seasonal three-times-weekly Halifax–Brussels nonstops on June 18, 2026, making Brussels the second international destination ever from Halifax after London Heathrow.
Air Transat Launches Montreal–Dakar, First Direct Flight Between Canada and Sub-Saharan Africa
Air Transat inaugurated the first-ever direct flights between Canada and Sub-Saharan Africa on June 18, linking Montreal and Dakar with twice-weekly A321LR service in a historic milestone hailed by officials of both countries.
Alaska Airlines Launches First-Ever Anchorage–Boston Nonstop, an 8-Hour Domestic Route on the 737 MAX
Alaska Airlines launched the first-ever nonstop between Anchorage and Boston on June 13, opening a brand-new domestic market with weekly Saturday flights through mid-August.
Etihad Airways Resumes Abu Dhabi–Zanzibar Flights With A320neo After Two-Year Absence
Etihad Airways resumed Abu Dhabi–Zanzibar flights in mid-June 2026 with the A320neo, reviving a route last served in 2023 as demand for the Indian Ocean island grows.
Etihad Launches First-Ever Abu Dhabi–Palma de Mallorca Flights, a Route Dubai Has Never Served
Etihad Airways became the first airline to offer nonstop flights from Abu Dhabi to Palma de Mallorca on June 12, beating even Dubai to the Balearic Islands with a three-weekly A321LR service.
Etihad Airways Launches Abu Dhabi–Kraków Route, UAE's First Direct Air Link to Poland's Cultural Capital
Etihad Airways launched Abu Dhabi's first-ever direct link to Krakow on June 11, operating three weekly flights with a premium-configured A321LR to Poland's top tourist destination.
Pegasus Airlines Launches Daily Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen–London Gatwick Flights
Turkish low-cost carrier Pegasus Airlines launched daily flights between Istanbul Sabiha Gokcen and London Gatwick on June 15, adding a second London gateway to its UK network alongside its existing Stansted service.
Iberia Returns to Canada After 30 Years with New Madrid–Toronto A321XLR Service
Iberia returned to Canada for the first time in over 30 years on June 13, launching five-weekly A321XLR service between Madrid Barajas and Toronto Pearson — one of the longest narrowbody transatlantic routes now operating at nine hours block time.
Air Canada Inaugurates Toronto–Ponta Delgada Nonstops, Its Third Portugal Destination
Air Canada has inaugurated three-weekly nonstop flights from Toronto Pearson to Ponta Delgada, becoming the second carrier to enter the Canada–Azores market within two days.
Air Canada Starts Montreal–Mallorca Nonstops, First-Ever Canadian Scheduled Flights to the Balearics
Air Canada has launched four-weekly nonstop flights from Montreal to Palma de Mallorca, becoming the first Canadian carrier to serve the Spanish Balearic island with scheduled service.
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.
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.
Queenstown welcomes first direct Jetstar flight from Brisbane
Jetstar launched its first direct Brisbane–Queenstown service on June 15, adding a seasonal low-fare trans-Tasman link between Queensland and New Zealand's alpine south for the winter ski season.
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.
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.
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.
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.