The landscape of air travel between the United States and Europe is set to expand significantly in 2026, with airlines introducing nonstop flights that will last up to 14 hours. According to data from Cirium Diio, the US is expected to operate an average of 530 daily passenger flights to Europe this year, marking a 3% increase year-over-year due to the addition of 15 new daily services.
Airlines from both the US and Europe are launching multiple new routes, enhancing connectivity across the Atlantic. Nearly 40 passenger airlines will facilitate travel between the two regions, including the lesser-known carrier HiSky, which is expanding its long-haul network to include flights from Bucharest to Chicago. Despite this expansion, HiSky will not feature in the list of longest flights.
Longest Nonstop Flights from the US to Europe
The longest nonstop flights this year predominantly originate from the US West Coast and central regions. Among the European destinations, Istanbul Airport plays a crucial role, accounting for half of the longest routes. Notably, Istanbul is situated on the European side of the Bosphorus, solidifying its inclusion in these rankings.
A significant addition to the flight roster is the new route from American Airlines, launching on May 21, 2026, which will connect Dallas/Fort Worth directly to Athens. This marks the first-ever nonstop service on this route, expanding American Airlines’ offerings to Athens to five routes with up to five daily flights. Previously, nonstop service from Los Angeles to Athens was available for a limited time in 2025, operated by Norse Atlantic. Although the flights filled 88% of seats, they were not sustained beyond the summer months.
Key Flight Times and Airlines
The longest nonstop flights identified for 2026 are as follows:
– **14h 05m**: Istanbul to Los Angeles, operated by Turkish Airlines with 12 to 17 weekly flights on various aircraft including the A350-900 and 777-300ER.
– **14h 00m**: Istanbul to San Francisco, with nine to 12 weekly flights also operated by Turkish Airlines.
– **13h 25m**: Athens to Dallas/Fort Worth, a daily seasonal service by American Airlines using the 777-200ER.
– **13h 20m**: Rome Fiumicino to Los Angeles, with ITA Airways and Norse Atlantic offering flights ranging from three weekly to daily schedules.
– **13h 15m**: Istanbul to Dallas/Fort Worth, with daily to ten weekly flights by Turkish Airlines.
The expansion reflects a robust demand for transatlantic travel, particularly as Turkish Airlines has emerged as a key player. The airline has carried nearly 3.6 million passengers to Los Angeles since its debut in March 2011, maintaining an average seat load factor of 82%. Despite a slight drop in performance in 2025, Turkish Airlines plans to offer up to 17 weekly flights to Los Angeles in 2026, a figure that mirrors its maximum services in 2025.
Flight schedules to Los Angeles will see arrivals at various times, including at 11:40 am and 6:15 pm, with departures throughout the day. Should demand not meet expectations, frequency reductions may occur, similar to adjustments seen with other airlines.
The latest data from the US Department of Transportation reveals that between January and September 2025, Turkish Airlines transported 316,000 passengers round-trip from Los Angeles. Approximately 72% of these travelers connected to other flights in Istanbul. The most popular routes from Los Angeles included Tehran, Cairo, and Beirut, reflecting the diverse travel needs of passengers.
As 2026 approaches, the air travel industry anticipates an exciting array of nonstop options for passengers traveling from the US to Europe, highlighting a growing trend in long-haul flights.
