Delta and United Launch "Historic First" Routes to Saudi Arabia and Croatia
In a major shake-up of transatlantic and Middle Eastern travel, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines announced several historic new routes today.
Delta revealed it will debut a nonstop service from Atlanta to Riyadh—marking the first direct flight between the U.S. and Saudi Arabia since 2001. This move aligns with "Saudi Vision 2030," as the Kingdom invests over $1 trillion to transform into a global tourism and business hub.
Not to be outdone, United Airlines announced its first-ever nonstop flights from Newark to Split, Croatia, and Santiago de Compostela, Spain, significantly opening up the Adriatic coast and Northern Spain to American travelers.
These "point-to-point" expansions are powered by a new wave of extra-long-range narrow-body jets (like the A321XLR), which make long-haul routes to secondary cities more fuel-efficient and profitable. American Airlines also joined the fray today, confirming it will operate the only nonstop flight from the U.S. to Budapest, Hungary, out of Philadelphia. These additions mean that destinations previously requiring two or three connections are now accessible in a single leg, often at lower "introductory" prices as airlines compete for these new markets.
The industry is calling 2026 the "Golden Year of the Secondary Destination," as travelers flee "overtourism nightmares" in Rome and Paris for the relatively untouched charms of Malta, Sardinia, and Bari. Delta’s move into Riyadh is particularly significant, as it challenges the dominance of Gulf carriers like Emirates and Qatar Airways by offering a direct link for corporate travelers and religious tourists heading to nearby Jeddah.
For those planning a summer 2026 getaway, these routes are set to launch in May and June. Travel analysts suggest booking now, as the "novelty factor" of these direct flights is expected to drive high demand. As more 500-seat-saving jets enter the global fleet this year, the world is effectively shrinking, making "marathon trips" feel more like sprints for the modern adventurer.
