Airlines often update their networks, and BTN is providing a list of select new airline destination announcements. Help keep BTN up to date by sending network development news to BTN senior transportation editor Donna M. Airoldi at [email protected].
October 2026 Announcements
For the week ending Oct. 9
Air France in May 2027 will launch two new U.S. routes, connecting Nashville and San Diego to Paris-Charles de Gaulle, the carrier announced Oct. 8. San Diego service will begin May 3, followed by Nashville service on May 14. Each route will operate three times weekly with Airbus A350-900 aircraft.
Icelandair on May 14, 2027, will add seasonal service between Reykjavik and St. Louis, the carrier announced Oct. 7. Flights will operate through Oct. 24 up to four times weekly with Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft. Icelandair also on April 9 will resume service to Madrid. The route will operate up to three times weekly through Oct. 25 with Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft. The carrier last operated the Madrid route in October 2024, according to Icelandair. In addition, Icelandair is expanding its Southwest Airlines partnership to include connections via St. Louis.
Etihad Airways has moved up the launch of flights between Abu Dhabi and Calgary, Alberta, to Oct. 25 from Nov. 3, the carrier announced Oct. 6. Flights will operate four times weekly with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft configured with 303 seats, including 32 in business class.
Lufthansa on March 28, 2027, will launch a daily flight between Frankfurt and Tokyo-Narita, the carrier announced Oct. 6. The route will operate with Boeing 787-9 aircraft in its Allegris configuration: 28 business-class seats, 28 premium-economy seats and 231 seats in economy. The airline will continue to fly daily from each Munich and Frankfurt to Tokyo-Haneda, the city's other major airport. Lufthansa also on March 29 will resume Frankfurt-Nagoya service, operating three times weekly. In addition, Swiss is expanding its service to Japan in summer 2027 with up to seven weekly flights between Zurich and Tokyo-Narita.
Tickets now are on sale for Riyadh Air's Nov. 16 launch of direct service between Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and Jakarta, the carrier announced Oct. 5. Flights will operate three times weekly with Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft.
For the week ending Oct. 2
Southwest Airlines for summer 2027 plans to expand service in Austin, Nashville and San Diego, the carrier announced Oct. 2. New routes for June and July include flights between Austin, Texas, and each Liberia, Costa Rica; Nassau, Bahamas; and Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, operating on weekends. For domestic service, Southwest will add once-weekly service between Austin and Bozeman, Mont., weekend service between Austin and Sarasota, Fla., and returning daily service between Austin and Portland, Ore. New Nashville routes include flights to and from Boise, Idaho; Nassau, Bahamas; and Providenciales, Turks and Caicos Islands. The carrier also will resume service between Nashville and each Bozeman and Portland, Ore. Southwest will add new once-weekly service between San Diego and Oklahoma City, will increase frequencies between San Diego and each Austin and Seattle, and is returning service between San Diego and each Bozeman, Milwaukee, Pittsburgh and Columbus, Ohio.
Delta Air Lines on June 7, 2027, will add nonstop service between Salt Lake City and Flagstaff, Ariz., the carrier announced Oct. 1. The route will operate twice daily, year-round, with Bombardier CRJ-550 aircraft.
JetBlue has launched new daily service between Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport and Barranquilla, Colombia, the carrier announced Oct. 1. Flights will operate on Airbus A320 aircraft.
Emirates has launched its new year-round route between Dubai and Helsinki, the carrier announced Oct. 1. Flights are operated with Airbus A350 aircraft configured with three cabins—business, premium economy and economy—for up to 298 passengers.
United Airlines has delayed the launch of service between Houston and Caracas, Venezuela, until Jan. 12, 2027, the carrier announced. United is offering refunds for flights originally scheduled from Oct. 6 through Jan. 11.