The Growing Appeal of Spain: A Transatlantic Travel Boom

Spain continues to captivate travelers from around the globe, with over 100 million tourists expected to visit this Mediterranean gem this year alone. This surge in popularity has resulted in record-high transatlantic travel demand, prompting airlines to open new routes from the United States and Canada. While major hubs like Madrid and Barcelona are well-connected, smaller cities such as Santiago de Compostela, Malaga, and Bilbao are now also welcoming flights to the U.S., thanks to the advent of long-haul capable narrowbody aircraft like the Boeing 737 MAX 8 and Airbus A321neo.

Valencia’s Struggle for Transatlantic Routes

Despite the overall growth in air travel to Spain, Valencia, the country’s third-largest city with a population of around 1.6 million, faces challenges in attracting airlines to establish transatlantic routes. Regional authorities have been working for over a decade to promote Valencia as a viable destination for international flights. According to Spanish newspaper La Razon, the regional government is increasing its international tourism promotion budget from €9 million to €19 million, focusing on the U.S. and Asia as priority markets. This includes efforts to establish new transatlantic routes to Valencia Airport (VLC) and Alicante-Elche Airport (ALC).

The local government is keen to attract higher-spending North American tourists, recognizing the economic benefits that direct flights would bring. However, the question remains: why are there currently no U.S. flights from Valencia?

Why There Are No U.S. Flights From Valencia

Historically, Valencia has struggled to maintain direct flights to the U.S. Delta Air Lines last served the city in 2012 with four weekly flights to New York (JFK), but the route was discontinued due to rising costs and weak demand. Since then, Valencia’s airport has seen significant growth, handling close to 12 million passengers in 2025, up from around 5 million in 2015. To accommodate this growth, €400 million is being invested to increase airport capacity.

One of the primary issues hindering new transatlantic services is the availability of aircraft and crew. Airlines have found more lucrative markets to deploy their limited capacity, as evidenced by Delta’s recent decision to allow SkyMiles members to vote on the next European destination—Valencia was notably absent from the list.

Another factor is Valencia’s mixed destination profile, which includes leisure, business, and visiting friends and relatives (VFR) demand. Most new routes to secondary European destinations are highly leisure-focused and seasonal, making them less suitable for Valencia’s versatile profile. Airlines often prioritize high-yield demand, and Valencia may not yet be mature enough to sustain the necessary yields for profitable operations.

Additionally, catchment leakage to Madrid and Barcelona is a concern, especially with Madrid’s upcoming connection to Spain’s high-speed railway network, which could further divert potential travelers away from Valencia.

Is American Airlines About to Announce Flights to Valencia?

Valencia’s Minister of Tourism, Marián Cano, has indicated that discussions are ongoing with airlines about potential routes to Dallas (DFW) and Miami (MIA), with New York also remaining a point of interest. American Airlines, which already has a significant presence in Spain, could find Valencia an attractive underserved market. The airline has been expanding its European routes and could leverage its existing network to introduce flights to Valencia.

American Airlines currently offers the largest capacity and number of routes between Spain and the U.S., despite only serving Madrid and Barcelona. With the arrival of new aircraft, the airline is well-positioned to grow its long-haul network, making Valencia a potential candidate for expansion.

Exploring Other Markets: Canada and Beyond

While the U.S. market presents significant opportunities, Canada is also emerging as a lucrative market for transatlantic growth. Canadian leisure airline Air Transat has already begun operating flights from Montreal (YUL) to Valencia, initially as a seasonal route that has now been extended to year-round service. If this route continues to perform well, there may be potential for additional capacity or even new routes from Toronto (YYZ).

Air Canada is also expanding its leisure routes across Europe, including Spain, which could make Valencia a future target. However, WestJet, Canada’s second-largest airline, faces challenges due to its main transatlantic hub being in Calgary, making direct flights to Valencia less feasible.

Looking Beyond North America

Valencia’s Minister for Tourism has also mentioned potential talks with airlines about flights to Asia, particularly China. However, this seems unlikely in the near term due to insufficient demand and yields. More realistically, connections to Asia may come via Gulf carriers like Qatar Airways or flydubai, which could provide access to broader markets.

Direct flights to Latin America could also be on the horizon, but similar challenges exist. Routes to destinations like Bogotá or Mexico City would require large widebody aircraft, and current demand may not support profitable operations.

In summary, while Valencia has the potential to become a significant player in the transatlantic travel market, various challenges must be addressed. The city’s mixed demand profile, competition from larger hubs, and the need for consistent flight schedules all play a role in determining its future connectivity. The ongoing efforts by local authorities and airlines will be crucial in shaping Valencia’s international travel landscape.