In 2026, dozens of new flight routes will bring exciting new travel options for passengers across the United States.
Among the forthcoming launches are new flights to Europe, with Alaska Airlines planning to debut the first-ever flights between Seattle and Rome in May. Later this summer, United will debut unique routes to Split, Croatia, and Glasgow, Scotland, while Delta will launch the first nonstop flights from the U.S. to two islands in the Mediterranean: Malta and Sardinia.
The historic new connections got us thinking—what other cities aren’t connected by nonstop airlift, but should be? So we put together a wishlist of route launches we hope to see one day soon.
Here are seven nonstop flight routes that we wished existed.
U.S. to Bali
Indonesia’s tropical island paradise is more popular than ever with travelers. Bali was just named the No. 1 destination in the world for 2026 in TripAdvisor’s Best of the Best Awards, which is based on high ratings and reviews from travelers. However, there are no nonstop flights between the U.S. and Bali, something we’d like to see changed for easier access to the island’s stunning beaches, breathtaking temples, and tropical landscapes.
Chicago to Sicily
There has been a surge of flights to Sicily in recent years, with carriers like United and Delta launching direct service to Sicilian cities like Catania and Palermo from the U.S. However, both airlines serve the Italian isle from the New York area. We’d love to see nonstop routes spread to other U.S. regions with major airports, like Chicago O’Hare, so travelers based in the middle of the country could be just one flight away from Sicily’s historic towns and enchanting coastline.
Los Angeles to Bangkok
Thailand is another destination that keeps gaining in popularity with U.S. travelers. But there are no nonstop flights from America to Bangkok. At one time, Thai Airways operated nonstop routes to the city from Los Angeles and New York, but those routes were canceled when the FAA downgraded its safety rating for Thailand’s aviation authority (a decision that was recently reversed). Last fall, United Airlines became the only American carrier to offer flights to Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok, with a new route from Hong Kong offering one-stop access from Los Angeles and San Francisco. Maybe one day it will eventually be streamlined into a nonstop route from either LAX or SFO.
U.S. to Galapagos Islands
The only flights serving the Galapagos come from mainland Ecuador. That’s so travelers can undergo rigorous customs screening to ensure they’re not bringing anything that could potentially harm the islands’ delicate and diverse ecosystems. Ideally, sometime down the line this process could be streamlined with special customs checks of departing passengers in the U.S.—similar to preclearance programs CBP operates in other countries—which would open up the ability for nonstop routes from America to simplify travel to this awe-inspiring natural wonderland.
Dallas to Singapore
Nonstop flights between Texas and Asia’s bustling capitals have been on the rise. Last spring, Cathay Pacific launched a new route from Dallas-Fort Worth to Hong Kong, and in October 2025, Eva Air began nonstop flights from DFW to Taipei. We’d love to see the trend continue with nonstop flights from DFW to Singapore, so Texans can hop on a single flight and land in the glittering city-state, known for its delectable street food, lush gardens, and cultural attractions.
Boston to Honolulu
Once the longest domestic flight in the U.S., this route was canceled in 2025 as Hawaiian Airlines was forced to make strategic flight cuts amid difficult economic headwinds. We’d love to see the 5,095-mile nonstop route brought back, either by Hawaiian or another carrier. It’s truly a treat to board a plane in chilly Boston and exit the aircraft among palm trees, sunshine, and a view of Diamond Head in Honolulu. Fortunately, travelers based on the East Coast still have nonstop access to Honolulu via Hawaiian’s route from New York-JFK to the Aloha State’s capital.
U.S. to Crete
The Greek island of Crete is another destination that was among TripAdvisor’s Best of the Best for 2026. But visiting Crete’s turquoise waters and fascinating archeological sites from the U.S. still requires a flight connection. Following the trend of Delta adding nonstop service to Mediterranean islands, we’d love to see new airlift between the U.S. and some of Greece’s individual islands, including Crete. It’s a hope that could be possible now that airlines are flying smaller, single-aisle planes like the Airbus A321XLR and Boeing 737 Max across the Atlantic.
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