Ibiza is set to gain its first-ever direct air connection with the United States next summer, after United Airlines announced a new route between Newark Liberty International Airport and Ibiza Airport.
The service will begin on 31 May 2027, with four flights a week operating on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays until 7 October. The route will be operated using United's new Airbus A321XLR, a long-range aircraft designed for transatlantic services to destinations that do not require a larger wide-body jet.
The new Ibiza service forms part of United's largest international expansion to date, with 10 new destinations being added across Europe and Asia for summer 2027. Ibiza is one of eight of those destinations where United will be the only US airline offering a nonstop connection from the United States.
The A321XLR will also introduce United's latest international cabin to the route. The aircraft has 32 premium seats, including 20 United Polaris suites and 12 United Premium Plus seats, alongside Economy Plus seating, Bluetooth connectivity, 4K screens and free Starlink Wi-Fi for MileagePlus members.
The new route comes as interest in Ibiza from the US market continues to grow. According to figures cited by the Island Council of Ibiza, the number of North American visitors increased by 21.74 percent in May 2026 compared with the same month last year. Between January and June, there were also 4.9 million searches for flights between the US and Ibiza, almost 40 percent more than during the same period in 2025.
The island's tourism sector has welcomed the announcement, with local authorities highlighting the potential of the US market, particularly its relatively high spending power and interest in Ibiza beyond its traditional nightlife image. The Consell has also framed the new connection as part of a strategy to attract higher-value tourism rather than simply increase visitor numbers.
For Ibiza, the route removes the need for a connection elsewhere in Europe for travellers coming directly from the New York area, while also giving the island a new direct gateway to the wider United States through United's Newark hub.
Header image by @bandierastudio (Instagram)
