American Airlines and Air Transat Launch New Transatlantic Routes

American Airlines has announced its first long-haul route with the Airbus A321XLR, connecting New York JFK to Edinburgh starting on March 8, 2026. This announcement comes shortly after the airline revealed that the A321XLR’s inaugural route would be from New York JFK to Los Angeles. In a related development, Canadian leisure carrier Air Transat has unveiled a new transatlantic route from Montreal to Agadir, marking the first time the Moroccan city will have direct service from North America.

American Airlines’ resumption of flights to Edinburgh is a significant move, as it marks the airline’s return to the Scottish capital after previously operating between 2015 and 2018 with the Boeing 757-200. The new service will be conducted using the A321XLR, which features 155 seats, including 20 business class suites and 12 premium economy seats. This addition means American Airlines will now have two routes to Edinburgh, alongside its Philadelphia service, further cementing the airline’s commitment to expanding its transatlantic offerings.

Air Transat Expands Its African Routes

Air Transat has also made headlines by doubling its routes to Africa. The airline’s first service to the continent launched in June 2024 with flights from Montreal to Marrakech. The new route to Agadir, set to begin on June 12, 2026, will operate weekly with the A321LR, a 199-seat aircraft. This service is significant as it will provide Agadir with its initial North American flights, catering to both tourism from Europe and the Moroccan Canadian community.

While the Agadir route is anticipated to attract leisure travelers, the market remains small compared to Marrakech, with fewer than 15,000 round-trip passengers recorded between Agadir and North America in the past year. Air Transat’s entry into this route aims to capitalize on the growing demand for travel to Morocco.

Expanding Transatlantic Connections

The transatlantic aviation market continues to grow, with the latest data from Cirium indicating that 78 airport pairs are scheduled to operate between the US, Canada, and Europe by July 2026. This includes new entrants like American Airlines and Air Canada, which will serve previously unconnected destinations. Notably, Air Canada plans to introduce a route from Montreal to Palma de Mallorca, marking its longest A321XLR service to date.

The rise of the A321LR and A321XLR aircraft is transforming the landscape of transatlantic travel. These modern aircraft are expected to operate 58% of all US/Canada to European narrowbody flights, reflecting a three-point increase over the past year. As airlines expand their route offerings, passengers can anticipate enhanced connectivity and more choices for international travel in the coming years.

Both American Airlines and Air Transat are responding to the increasing demand for transatlantic travel, positioning themselves strategically for future growth in this competitive market.