Palma to receive summer flights to Abu Dhabi starting June 2026

New direct connection: Palma ↔ Abu Dhabi in summer 2026

Who would have thought: from the Son Sant Joan airport another long-haul destination will take off in summer 2026. Etihad Airways plans to operate three weekly flights between Palma de Mallorca and Abu Dhabi starting on June 12. The service is seasonal until mid-September and is scheduled to run on Tuesdays, Fridays and Sundays.

Practical times and aircraft type

According to the schedule, the return flight from Abu Dhabi is timed so that the aircraft lands in Palma at around 08:15. Departure towards the Emirates is at 10:30. The pure flight time is about seven hours. An Airbus A321LR will be used – unusual for such a distance, but this aircraft has the range and fewer seats than a classic widebody jet.

In the cabin image the airline promises a lot of comfort: private suites in First Class, fully flat beds in Business and an Economy with individually adjustable screens and reportedly more legroom. Whether that really makes a difference at check-in during the high season remains to be seen – my taxi driver from Paseo Mallorca is already laughing: "More space on the plane, less in the parking garage!"

Tickets and fares

Tickets are already bookable on the airline's website and app. A quick search showed an Economy base price of around €615 for mid-June 2026 — not cheap, but acceptable for a direct connection. Those who want Business or First will have to pay significantly more; that's clear.

What it means for the island

A direct connection to Abu Dhabi complements Palma's growing summer network: a few weeks ago new North American routes were already announced. For the airport this means additional takeoffs and landings, more suitcases on the belt and probably longer queues in the morning. For hotels and marinas it could bring new, affluent guests – Abu Dhabi is not a typical low-cost market.

Abu Dhabi itself is a mix of conservative culture and modern architecture: the Louvre, island projects and large hotels shape the skyline. As a quieter counterpart to Dubai, the city is attractive to many travelers, especially those who want to combine culture, design and luxury.

Short and personal

So: pull out your suitcase, pack your sunglasses and check the app. If everything stays as announced, Palma will be on the map for travelers from the Gulf states from summer 2026. And for us it means: more choice, more schedules – and probably more voices at the airport at seven in the morning.