Etihad Launches First-Ever Abu Dhabi–Palma de Mallorca Flights, a Route Dubai Has Never Served

Etihad Airways inaugurated three-weekly nonstop service between Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH) and Palma de Mallorca Son Sant Joan Airport (PMI) on June 12, 2026, making the airline the first to connect the UAE capital directly with Spain's Balearic Islands.

Flights are operated using the Airbus A321LR configured with 160 seats in a premium-focused layout featuring a first class cabin. The westbound leg — Abu Dhabi to Palma — is the longest of the airline's four new June routes, with a scheduled block time of seven hours and 20 minutes. The eastbound return takes approximately six hours and 30 minutes.

Notably, no airline has previously offered direct flights between Dubai and Palma de Mallorca, meaning Etihad's Abu Dhabi launch represents a first for the entire UAE aviation market on this city pair, as highlighted by Simple Flying. Palma is one of Europe's most popular summer leisure destinations, attracting visitors from across the continent for its beaches, historic old town, and warm Mediterranean climate.

The service supports growing demand for Balearic travel from UAE-based passengers and provides Palma travelers with connections to Etihad's network spanning Africa, Asia, Australia, and North America.

As confirmed by Aviation Week, the Palma route is among four brand-new destinations added by Etihad this summer as the airline targets its busiest season ever.

Sources

• https://www.etihad.com/en/news/etihad-enters-its-biggest-summer-yet-with-10-more-capacity-four-new-destinations-and-five-returning-seasonal-favourites
• https://simpleflying.com/notable-airline-routes-212
• https://aviationweek.com/air-transport/airports-networks/routes-networks-latest-rolling-daily-updates-wc-june-15-2026