New Etihad Route Abu Dhabi–Palma: Comfort for Guests, a Challenge for the Island

Abu Dhabi–Palma: More shine in the sky — and questions on the island

From mid-June 2026, Etihad Airways is scheduled to launch a new direct connection between Abu Dhabi and Palma de Mallorca, as reported in Etihad brings Abu Dhabi nonstop to Palma - from June 2026. Three weekly flights operated with the Airbus A321LR promise travelers from the Gulf region and parts of Asia a comfortable, non-stop link to the island. For some hoteliers and premium providers it sounds like music: more guests, better occupancy in the shoulder season. But does Mallorca really need more direct connections — and are we prepared?

More comfort on board, different expectations on the ground

The A321LR is not a giant, but Etihad has "spruced" it up for longer sectors: first-class suites and lie-flat seats in business class are a real plus on a route like Abu Dhabi–Palma. The impression: you hop off the red-eye and straight into your hotel bed — perhaps with a piece of fresh ensaimada for breakfast. Such travelers bring different demands: private transfers, boutique hotels, à-la-carte excursions into the Serra de Tramuntana. That is good for high-end providers. At the same time, it increases pressure on taxis, rental cars and the few shuttle services that depart Son Sant Joan in the mornings.

What this concretely means for Palma and Son Sant Joan

Local hoteliers expect a boost in the shoulder season. María López, manager of a small hotel in Palma's old town, has for years observed guests from Dubai and Abu Dhabi who stay one to two weeks and value discreet, high-quality services. Three weekly arrivals could encourage spontaneous bookings — provided the onward logistics are in place, a topic discussed in Palma — Abu Dhabi: New Etihad Connection Raises More Questions Than Answers. On the road, along the Passeig Marítim, I often hear the clatter of luggage trolleys in the morning, the beeping of delivery vans and taxi drivers talking about narrow access routes. A driver in Can Pastilla sighed recently: If even more planes arrive, mornings will get really tight.

Central question: Sustainable or just a short-term push?

The important question is not only whether the planes will come, but how sustainable the model is in the long run. Many flights, short stays or seasonal peaks can strain infrastructure and residents. Less discussed is how new direct connections affect staff turnover in hotels, housing demand for crews and supply chains (catering, transport, baggage handling). The distribution of arrivals over the week also matters: concentrated evening arrivals can create terminal peaks that lead to morning queues for taxis and rental cars.

How Mallorca can make smart use of the opportunity

Concrete proposals are needed so that more direct flights do not become an additional nuisance. Some possible measures:

1. Arrival coordination: Airport authorities, hoteliers and transfer companies should plan shared time windows and additional shuttle capacity for the shoulder season. Evening arrivals could be tied to fixed shuttle routes.

2. Promoting the off-season: Target audiences from the Gulf region can be attracted for longer stays outside the high season — with themed trips (golf, wellness, gastronomy) that help smooth peaks.

3. Infrastructure investments: Short-term measures such as additional taxi stands, clearer access rules in Can Pastilla and temporary parking zones for transfer buses would be pragmatic. In the medium term Son Sant Joan must review its capacities and procedures.

4. Sustainability incentives: Airlines that operate more modern, efficient aircraft should be favored. Part of the additional revenues could also be allocated to noise protection, night bus lines or local environmental projects.

5. Training and workforce planning: Hotels and transfer companies should offer training programs early for new customer groups and seasonal staff — so that service and working conditions do not suffer.

Conclusion: Good news — but eyes open

The new Etihad route is an opportunity for Mallorca: high-quality guests, a better-distributed shoulder season and new business relationships. But more comfort on board does not automatically mean less stress on the ground. For the route to become a long-term benefit, coordination is needed: airport, municipalities, hoteliers and transport providers must plan together. Otherwise, all that will remain is the sound of suitcase wheels on the Paseo, the humming of service vehicles and annoyed taxi drivers in the morning.

I am optimistic, but a little skeptical. More choice is rarely a bad thing — as long as we manage it sensibly and do not only react once the runway is already full.