Valencia will regain a direct air link to New York in June 2027. United Airlines will operate three weekly flights, marking a major step for the city’s international connectivity. The route returns after a 15-year break.
Valencia is set to reconnect with New York through a direct air route, as United Airlines has confirmed the launch of three weekly flights between Valencia and Newark starting June 2027. This move marks the end of a 15-year gap since the last direct service to the US, previously operated by Delta Airlines from 2009 to 2012. The announcement, made by United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby, positions Valencia among the few Spanish cities with direct transatlantic links, reflecting the city’s growing importance as a destination for international travel.
The new route will be operated with the Airbus A321XLR, a next-generation aircraft designed for long-haul efficiency. With a range of up to 8,700 kilometers, this single-aisle jet allows for direct transatlantic flights while minimizing environmental and noise impacts at the airport. United Airlines’ decision to include Valencia and Ibiza in its expanded network highlights the strategic value of the region for the US carrier.
For Valencia, the return of direct flights to New York is more than a symbolic milestone. It strengthens the city’s position in the North American market, which has become a priority for local tourism authorities. According to the Fundación Visit València, the new connection is part of a broader strategy to attract higher-value visitors and promote the city year-round. The foundation, in collaboration with the Generalitat Valenciana’s tourism department, has intensified its promotional efforts in the US, Canada, and Mexico through the Plan América initiative, aiming to leverage the growing demand and affinity for Mediterranean destinations.
Recent data from the FOCUS tourism intelligence system show that US travelers to Valencia tend to plan their trips well in advance—over 120 days—and maintain a high daily spending profile, with 80% spending between 150 and 400 euros per day. New York remains one of the top sources of online searches for Valencia, alongside other East Coast cities like Washington and Boston. The new direct route is expected to further boost these flows and diversify the city’s tourism base.
Local officials have welcomed the development. The president of the Generalitat Valenciana, Juan Francisco Pérez Llorca, described the new connection as a significant step for the region’s tourism sector and a sign of growing US interest in Valencia. Paula Llobet, city councillor for Tourism, Innovation and Investments and president of Fundación Visit València, emphasized that the route is the result of years of coordinated work with Turisme Comunitat Valenciana and Cámara Valencia.
With the addition of the New York route, Valencia will, for the first time, offer two direct intercontinental connections to the Americas—New York and Montreal—reflecting a broader trend of expanding international air links from Spanish regional airports. Direct transatlantic flights are seen as a key factor in attracting business, investment, and high-spending tourists, and are often associated with increased economic activity in the host city. As of 2026, Spain’s major airports in Madrid and Barcelona remain the primary gateways for long-haul travel, but regional hubs like Valencia are increasingly competing for new routes as demand for international connectivity grows.
