United Airlines will begin the first direct scheduled service linking the New York metropolitan area with Ibiza in 2027. The airline announced a nonstop route between Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in New Jersey and Ibiza Airport (IBZ), with a launch date of May 31, 2027. The route will operate using the Airbus A321XLR, a long-range single-aisle aircraft designed for transatlantic flights.
Service from Newark to Ibiza will consist of four flights per week, operating on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays. Return flights from Ibiza to Newark will start June 1, 2027, running four times weekly on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays,
and Sundays. The seasonal schedule will continue until October 7 from Newark and October 8 from Ibiza, subject to required government approvals.
The Airbus A321XLR on this route will feature a premium-heavy seat configuration with 32 premium seats. This includes 20 United Polaris suites equipped with privacy doors and 12 Premium Plus seats. The aircraft will also provide 4K OLED entertainment screens, Bluetooth connectivity, and Starlink Wi-Fi access for MileagePlus members.
Prior to this launch, travelers flying from the United States to Ibiza needed to connect through European hubs such as Madrid, Barcelona, London, or Paris. United Airlines will be
the only U.S. carrier offering nonstop flights to Ibiza, eliminating the need for intermediate connections. The use of the A321XLR allows the airline to operate this seasonal long-haul route efficiently without requiring a larger wide-body aircraft.
Tourism officials in Ibiza have reported a 21% increase in U.S. visitors in May 2026 compared to May 2025. Additionally, Ibiza attracted over 4.9 million online searches from U.S. users in the first half of 2026. North American visitors represented 5.2% of Ibiza’s international arrivals between April and October 2025, indicating growing demand from this market.
The nonstop Newark–Ibiza connection will offer travelers shorter
travel times and increased convenience by removing the need to transfer through European airports. It also provides direct access from Ibiza to the New York area and links to United’s extensive domestic and international network via Newark.
Ibiza’s tourism director confirmed that attracting the U.S. market has been a strategic goal, with the new service opening opportunities to showcase the island beyond its nightlife reputation. The Ibiza and Formentera Hotel Federation emphasized that Newark will act as a gateway for American travelers to reach the island.
This new Ibiza route forms part of United Airlines’ largest international expansion in its
history, with the introduction of 10 new international destinations in 2027. From Newark, additional new routes will include Valencia, Marseille, Terceira, Ljubljana, Olbia, Catania, and Luxembourg. The carrier will also launch a Newark–Valencia nonstop service on June 2, 2027, with three weekly flights.
