The beaches of Palma de Mallorca are set to get even busier, with United Airlines launching a brand-new service earlier this month, connecting the Balearic island with New York.

Shiny new service

The inaugural flight touched down at Palma’s Son Sant Joan Airport on June 3, with all 204 seats on the Boeing 767-300ER filled. Holidaymakers were greeted upon disembarking by airport authorities, staff, and journalists to commemorate the start of the landmark service.

As reported by Aviation24, media representatives for the airport described the arrival of the flight as “happy,” “historic,” “exciting,” and “important,” with passengers receiving traditional island gifts, including a cloth bag of llengües with two small jars of locally produced Es Trenc salt and a welcome card, celebrating their visit.

United 767
United Airlines will operate its Newark to Palma de Mallorca route using its Boeing 767-300ER fleet. Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

“The new service from Palma de Mallorca is the first and only flight between Mallorca and the United States and adds to the airline’s year-round daily nonstop services from Madrid and Barcelona to New York/Newark, as well as seasonal services from Madrid and Barcelona to Washington D.C.,” Isabel Pereira, Marketing and Communications for Portugal and Spain at United Airlines, told local media. “United offers more destinations in Spain than any other North American airline.”

“The new United Airlines route opens a window to Mallorca from New York, a direct view through which we want to showcase the unique elements that the island has to offer,” added Catalina Cladera, President of the Consell de Mallorca. “Our island is a first-class tourist destination that has adapted to the demands and trends over the years. The public and private sectors work closely together to continue to be leaders in quality, safety, and sustainability.”

Palma de Mallorca is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, welcoming almost 12 million holidaymakers in 2019, with a return to pre-pandemic numbers predicted across the summer.

The island hotspot is a trendy destination for tourists from the United Kingdom and Germany, with Lufthansa notably utilizing its Boeing 747-8 on the route at the start of the Easter holiday period.

Palma de Mallorca
The Balearic island is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Europe, with 12 million people visiting in 2019. Photo: Lufthansa

The route’s popularity has reportedly drawn interest from other airlines, with local media reporting that future routes connecting the island with Los Angeles and Miami could be in the works.

Andrew Serra, Mallorca’s councilor for tourism, noted that he hopes the interest will positively impact the island’s tourism sector, with United’s onward connections potentially bringing in additional flights to the island. “We have opened a new market. All parties are satisfied with how this project has been managed,” Serra told the Majorca Daily Bulletin.

United’s Newark to Palma route is the first regular service between the island and the United States, running three times a week until September 23.

It closely follows the launch of 10 other new services for the airline, including a daily flight between Boston and London Heathrow for the first time in 20 years, three-weekly flights between Washington D.C. and Amman, and another three-weekly service between Newark and Tenerife South, which is set to start today.

What are your thoughts on United Airlines’ new Palma de Mallorca route? What other services would you like to see the carrier add? Let us know in the comments.

Sources: Aviation24, AviaciOnline, EuroWeekly, Majorca Daily Bulletin