(MONTRÉAL, CANADA) Air Canada will open two brand-new transatlantic routes from Montréal next summer, led by the first-ever direct service between Canada 🇨🇦 and Spain’s Balearic Islands. The Montréal (YUL) – Palma de Mallorca (PMI) route begins June 17, 2026, operating four times weekly on the Airbus A321XLR, and will run seasonally through October 23, 2026. The carrier will also add Montréal–Catania (CTA) in Sicily, making it the only airline with scheduled service linking Canada and Sicily. These steps are part of a wider 2026 season in which North American airlines are set to launch eight brand-new, never-before-served transatlantic routes from the United States 🇺🇸 and Canada, reflecting fresh aircraft deliveries, strong leisure demand, and changing airline network strategies.
New routes and what they mean
Air Canada’s new Palma de Mallorca link sets a milestone for Canadian aviation, introducing a direct bridge between Québec’s largest city and one of Europe’s most popular island holiday spots. Company leaders frame the move as both a response to traveler demand and a test case for what the A321XLR can do on long, thinner markets.
Mark Galardo, Air Canada’s Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, said the airline is “the first Canadian carrier to offer customers non-stop flights to these sought after Mediterranean destinations, and the only airline operating scheduled service from Canada to Sicily and Mallorca.” According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, these choices show how airlines now connect secondary cities across the Atlantic without relying only on big hubs.
The Palma service will run four days a week—Monday, Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday—through the peak summer and early fall window. Planned timing:
- Departure from Montréal: 18:45
- Arrival in Palma de Mallorca (next day): 08:25
- Return departure from Palma: 12:15
- Arrival in Montréal: 15:10 (local times)
Air Canada hasn’t released full details for the Montréal–Catania schedule yet, but the company has confirmed the new link will start in summer 2026. Together, these services give Québec-based travelers non-stop options that previously required connections in Madrid, Barcelona, Rome, or other European hubs.
Aircraft, cabin and capacity
The choice of aircraft is key. Air Canada expects its first A321XLR to arrive in Q1 2026, with up to ten more joining that year as part of a 30-aircraft order. The jet’s extended range—along with its lower fuel burn compared with many widebodies—opens city pairs that were long out of reach for single-aisle planes.
Onboard configuration planned for the A321XLR:
- 14 lie-flat Signature Class seats
- 168 Economy seats
- A new cabin design and updated in-flight entertainment
This configuration aims to deliver a widebody-style experience in a narrowbody, appealing particularly to families and retirees heading to Mediterranean beaches by combining comfort with smaller-aircraft economics.
Wider network strategy for 2026
These launches are part of a broader push by Air Canada for summer 2026:
- Resume non-stop Toronto (YYZ) – Shanghai (PVG)
- Resume Toronto – Budapest (BUD)
- Expand Toronto–Prague (PRG) to four weekly flights during peak periods
- Upgrade Montréal–Toulouse to year-round service
- Bring back Montréal–Edinburgh as a seasonal route
Several of these flights will use the A321XLR, reflecting the aircraft’s role as a workhorse for medium long-haul and targeted leisure markets.
The direction is clear: airlines are increasingly pursuing point-to-point, leisure-led transatlantic growth enabled by the A321XLR.
Why these routes matter — travelers, workers, and communities
For many people, aviation news becomes personal when it saves hours off a trip, reduces costs, or makes family visits possible. These new routes deliver several practical benefits:
- Direct access to the Balearic Islands for Canadians—no connection required.
- A simpler path home for Spanish and Sicilian diaspora communities in Québec.
- Easier travel for seasonal hospitality and tourism workers moving between Canada and Spain or Italy.
- Better options for students and remote workers undertaking short study terms or month-long work-from-anywhere periods.
Families and travelers with mobility needs benefit from fewer connections, less chance of missed flights, and less time changing planes in unfamiliar hubs. The A321XLR’s cabin features (lie-flat seating, in-seat power, updated lighting) help make overnight eastbound legs more comfortable.
Local economies also gain:
- In Palma: more direct Canadian visitors for hotels and tourism operators.
- In Sicily: demand spreading beyond Catania to eastern coastal towns and agriturismos.
- In Québec: strengthened gateway status for Montréal, supporting airport jobs, catering, maintenance, and retail.
Entry rules and what to check before booking
Direct flights don’t change border rules. Travelers still need valid documents and may need pre-travel authorization.
- Starting in 2026, the European Union plans to roll out ETIAS—a travel authorization for visa-exempt nationals, including most Canadians.
- ETIAS is not a visa; it’s a short online application tied to your passport intended to strengthen security while keeping entry simple for short stays.
For official updates and requirements, check the European Commission page: European Commission ETIAS.
Practical pre-travel steps:
- Ensure your passport has enough validity—many European countries require at least three months’ validity beyond your planned departure from the Schengen Area.
- Book with the exact name formatting that appears on your passport.
- If you hold dual nationality, carry both passports and use the one that offers the easiest entry.
- Keep proof of accommodation, return tickets, and travel insurance handy—border officers can ask for these.
If you plan to work, study, or stay beyond the short-stay limit, you’ll need national long-stay permission from Spain or Italy. That process is separate from ETIAS and typically requires consular appointments and supporting documents.
What this means for airlines and fares
Industry watchers predicted the A321XLR would reshape the Atlantic market. With a range up to around 4,700 nautical miles, the jet lets airlines test new city pairs at lower risk:
- Fewer seats to fill compared with widebodies
- Lower fuel burn per passenger
- Attractive cabin features for premium leisure travelers
As new city pairs launch, travelers can expect:
- More choice and competitive fares, especially early in a route’s life
- Pressure on indirect hub-based options, which can lower prices across the board
- Tourism boards offering off-season packages and regional experiences to attract visitors
Tips for booking new transatlantic routes:
- Watch for introductory fares—airlines often seed demand with sales.
- Be flexible with travel dates; weekday departures can be cheaper than weekend flights in peak season.
- Aeroplan members should consider early booking for award-earning and redemptions while award space is usually more available at launch.
Service, safety, and future outlook
Air Canada says the A321XLR cabin will meet long-haul passenger expectations even without a twin-aisle jet. Features to expect:
- Lie-flat seating in premium cabin
- Updated lighting and entertainment
- In-seat power throughout the cabin
As summer 2026 schedules roll out, more North American carriers are likely to announce additional transatlantic links once aircraft delivery timelines firm up. The initial list of eight new city pairs may grow or shift in timing, but the trend is consistent: point-to-point, leisure-led Atlantic growth.
For Canadians, the bottom line is straightforward: Non-stop flights from Montréal (YUL) to Palma de Mallorca (PMI) and onward to Catania (CTA) are coming in summer 2026, marking a new chapter in how Canadians reach Mediterranean Europe.
This Article in a Nutshell
Air Canada announced two new nonstop transatlantic routes from Montréal for summer 2026: Montréal–Palma de Mallorca launching June 17, 2026 (four weekly A321XLR flights), and Montréal–Catania beginning in summer 2026, making Air Canada the only carrier with scheduled service between Canada and Sicily. The A321XLR—first arriving for Air Canada in Q1 2026 with further deliveries planned—enables these point‑to‑point leisure routes thanks to extended range and improved efficiency. The A321XLR cabin will include 14 lie‑flat Signature seats and 168 Economy seats. These additions are part of a wider 2026 network expansion including resumed Toronto long‑haul services and added frequencies. Travelers should prepare for EU ETIAS entry rules in 2026, confirm passport validity and booking name, and check visa or long‑stay requirements. Economically, the routes are expected to boost tourism in Mallorca and Sicily while enhancing Montréal’s transatlantic connectivity.
