Delta Adds BOS–MAD and BOS–NCE Nonstop Routes for 2026

(BOSTON) Delta Air Lines will add two nonstop routes from Boston Logan International Airport to Europe next summer, launching daily service to Madrid and three-times-weekly service to Nice in May 2026. Tickets go on sale August 30, 2025, giving New England travelers an early shot at peak-season seats.

With these additions, Delta says Boston will reach 12 European destinations and up to 20 daily international flights, a strong step in the carrier’s push to build Boston into a major transatlantic gateway.

Route details and schedule

Flights from Boston to Madrid (MAD) begin May 16, 2026, running daily through late October. The Nice (NCE) route starts May 17, 2026, operating three times per week on a seasonal schedule.

Both routes will use the Airbus A330-900neo, Delta’s newest widebody, known for quieter cabins and long-haul range that fits New England–Europe flying times. On board, Delta will offer four cabins:

• Delta One Suites: 29 seats
• Premium Select: 28 seats
• Comfort+: 56 seats
• Main Cabin: 168 seats

The A330-900neo gives Boston customers more lie-flat seats to Europe than older jets typically used on some transatlantic routes. That matters on the Madrid route, where Delta will face year‑round competition from Iberia and growing seasonal pressure from JetBlue. For Nice, the carrier is betting on strong summer demand to the French Riviera, where many travelers have often had to connect through Paris, London, or other hubs.

Delta confirmed that tickets for both new routes will be available on August 30, 2025 (the Saturday following its announcement). The airline also outlined a broader Boston plan for summer 2026:

• Barcelona: daily service beginning May 7, 2026 (earlier than in past seasons)
• Milan: four times weekly starting May 16, 2026
• Delta is asking SkyMiles members to vote on one more potential European route from Boston for summer 2026: Ibiza, Malta, or Olbia (Sardinia). The airline says it will reveal the winner in late August 2025.

Paul Baldoni, Delta’s senior vice president of network planning, framed the move as part of a multi‑year buildout:

“As Boston’s leading airline, Delta plays a vital role in connecting the city to the world. By adding nonstop service to Madrid and Nice, we’re enhancing our European network and continuing our commitment to providing an exceptional travel experience from start to finish.”

The Madrid flight restores a major capital-to-capital link for Boston customers, with one-stop connections onward across Spain and into parts of North Africa. Nice places the Côte d’Azur within reach for weekend trips and school breaks without a connection—a draw for families, students, and older travelers who prefer simpler itineraries and daytime arrivals.

Travel and policy context

These routes launch during the heart of peak leisure travel from mid‑May through late October. That timing aligns with school schedules, summer festivals, and major events along the Mediterranean coast.

Families who need school‑year travel should check shoulder-season dates in May and late October, when award seats and lower fares may appear—especially on the three‑times‑weekly Nice schedule.

Travelers heading to Spain or France should review Schengen entry rules before booking. According to the U.S. Department of State:

• Your passport should be valid for at least three months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen area.
• Your passport should be less than 10 years old on the date of entry.

For current details and country‑by‑country notes, see the State Department’s Europe travel guidance at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Europe.html. Rules can change, so check again as your trip approaches.

Students and exchange visitors flying through Boston to Europe over the summer may see more seat options across cabins, which helps when return dates are flexible. Business travelers who split time between New England and Spain will welcome a daily Madrid schedule—this typically drives more stable fares and better day‑of‑week choices.

For Nice, tour groups and cruise travelers are likely to fill early and mid‑summer departures; flexible travelers might find the best availability on midweek trips.

Practical details at a glance:

Additional practical notes:

• Parents planning multi‑city trips (e.g., Madrid in June and Nice in July) may find better pricing by booking open‑jaw tickets in one reservation rather than two separate round‑trips.
• Boston’s early‑afternoon eastbound departures pair well with morning high‑speed trains within Spain and France, easing connections without changing airports.
• The A330‑900neo typically boards through two doors; Delta agents can arrange early boarding for passengers who need extra time.
• Larger overhead bins help families who prefer to keep items like strollers and car seats close at hand—gate‑check rules still apply.

Market and community impact

Delta has more than doubled transatlantic capacity from Boston since 2019 and now positions Boston Logan as a key gateway alongside New York and Atlanta. The carrier’s Boston growth includes four new European routes since 2019, reflecting a broader trend of U.S. airlines building summer service to meet strong leisure demand post‑pandemic.

Competitive and market dynamics:

• In Boston–Madrid, Delta will face a busy field: Iberia has served the route for more than a decade, and JetBlue has expanded into Europe from the Northeast. A daily schedule helps business travelers plan Monday‑through‑Thursday trips and eases weekend returns.
• For Nice, seasonal leisure demand is the primary draw—beaches, summer events, and access to Monaco, Cannes, and smaller coastal towns.
• Aviation analysts note that using the A330‑900neo signals a push for both premium leisure and business travelers. With 29 lie‑flat suites on the Madrid flight, Delta increases premium seat supply to a major European capital.

Community and economic effects:

• Community groups in Greater Boston have long requested more nonstop access to Spain, citing family ties, student programs, and cultural exchanges. A daily Madrid flight reduces overnight layovers and missed connections and raises the odds of finding saver‑level award seats.
• According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, nonstop access to both a European capital and a resort market in the same season helps airlines balance yield: premium fares and corporate contracts on one route can steady revenue while leisure traffic fills the other.
• For small businesses, direct service to Madrid can aid supplier visits and trade show attendance—relevant to Boston’s biotech, clean energy, and design sectors. Nonprofits and academic teams working on summer projects in the Mediterranean can plan simpler itineraries by routing into Nice to reach coastal field sites.

For New England travelers choosing between Boston and New York departures, these additions reduce the trade‑off. Avoiding a connection or a long drive can save time and stress, especially when traveling with children or on tight schedules. With up to 20 daily international flights, Boston now offers a broader range of departure times and aircraft types—helpful during irregular operations or weather events.

Booking and travel tips

• Book early for peak summer dates; demand to Spain and the French Riviera is strong from mid‑June through August.
• Watch midweek flights for better award availability, especially on BOS–NCE.
• Consider shoulder‑season travel in May or late October for lower fares and easier upgrades.
• For Madrid, compare basic economy rules with Main Cabin fares—flexibility can be worth the price difference during busy months.
• If you need special meals or accessibility assistance, add requests at booking and reconfirm 48 hours before departure.

Delta’s crowdsourced “Route Race” (vote among Ibiza, Malta, and Olbia) adds market testing to its 2026 plan. Each destination appeals to distinct traveler types:

• Ibiza: music and nightlife
• Malta: history and diving
• Olbia (Sardinia): beach families seeking quieter towns

Whichever city wins, the vote underscores Boston’s growing role as an origin for niche European leisure markets that previously required two flights or complex train transfers.

For the broader region, these routes may prompt competitive responses—JetBlue and Iberia could adjust capacity, schedules, or fares on Boston–Madrid, and other carriers might examine seasonal service from nearby airports. Historically, such announcements spur fare sales as airlines set summer schedules and test price points.

Delta has not announced winter operations for either route; both are positioned as summer seasonal. Travelers needing winter trips to Spain or southern France will still have year‑round options through other hubs. But for New England’s peak travel months, the combination of a daily capital city flight and a three‑times‑weekly resort flight gives families, students, and business travelers more ways to plan trips that fit school calendars and project timelines.

With tickets on sale August 30, 2025, and first flights in mid‑May 2026, Boston customers have a clear runway to plan. Check entry rules early via the State Department’s Europe page, confirm passport validity, and set alerts for fare changes.

For schedules and booking support, Delta’s U.S. reservations line is 1‑800‑221‑1212, and the airline’s news hub will post updates as summer 2026 approaches.