Abu Dhabi lands in Palma: Etihad launches luxury connection — and other intercontinental carriers follow

Abu Dhabi lands in Palma: Etihad launches luxury connection — and other intercontinental carriers follow

Today, at a pleasant 27°C in Palma and with the light scent of espresso from the cafés on the Passeig, the island looks a little like the scene of a grand, distant arrival. In recent days posters have appeared on city squares and along some access roads to Son Armadams: a new long-haul connection from the Gulf region will soon become visible.

The airline Etihad will soon commence a direct service between Abu Dhabi and Palma, as announced in Etihad brings Abu Dhabi nonstop to Palma - from June 2026. Three times a week A321LR jets will operate the route. According to information provided, the aircraft will offer suites in First Class and seats that convert into beds in Business Class. The pure flight time is around seven hours and twenty minutes — long enough for a short film and a long nap, short enough to land at sunset over the bay.

On Mallorca the launch will apparently be accompanied by an official reception in Palma, noted in New Etihad Route Abu Dhabi–Palma: Comfort for Guests, a Challenge for the Island. It's one of those moments when airport, hoteliers and city come together: welcome signs, transfer offers, drivers with cool refreshments at the exit — small gestures that make guests feel welcome, a point explored in Palma — Abu Dhabi: New Etihad Connection Raises More Questions Than Answers. For everyday life in the city this means: more international guests at airport counters, new luggage trolleys in the halls and additional bookings in boutique hotels and holiday apartments.

And it doesn't stop with Etihad: North American routes are visible on the summer schedule. From June 17 Air Canada will fly between Montreal and Palma; the route operates until October 24 and will be served with Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Departure and arrival times are scheduled so that time on board and transfer times fit well with hotel check-ins. Likewise, a US airline is again deploying Boeing 767s and has recently been flying regularly to the island — flight time here: just over eight hours.

Why is this good for Mallorca? In short: variety. Travelers from the Middle East bring different travel profiles — longer stays and different expectations for service and infrastructure. Flights from Canada and the US extend the season and appeal to groups who like to stay longer or visit in quieter months. This helps hotels, restaurants and smaller businesses that do not want to rely exclusively on mass tourism.

A typical scene: Early in the evening a waitress in Portixol sits on the wall, wipes her face with the back of her hand and smiles because the reservation books are filling up for the coming weeks. A taxi driver near the airport hums classical Arabic music quietly on the radio while he tucks the last pieces of hand luggage into the trunk. Such details show: the island adapts without loud renovations, rather through small, perceptible changes day by day.

Outlook: In the coming weeks airport staff, hoteliers and restaurateurs will learn to accommodate different expectations — from menus to transfer times. Those living in Palma can expect new neighbors, multilingual signs and international sounds in cafés on weekends. For creative providers this is an invitation: develop new offers, suitable events and services for an international audience. A bit of preparation, an open smile and good ground logistics — that's all it takes to welcome guests.

Conclusion: With Etihad, Air Canada and recurring US flights, Mallorca's connectivity is growing. This brings travelers from other regions, extends seasons and opens opportunities for local businesses. A summer in which you can sit on the plaza on mild evenings and greet people from distant ports — that feels like more freedom and possibilities for the island.