Air Canada Is About to Fly Directly From Montreal to Mallorca for the First Time

Air Canada is weeks away from launching a route that no Canadian carrier has ever flown before, a nonstop service between Montréal-Trudeau International Airport and Palma de Mallorca Airport on the sun-soaked Spanish island in the western Mediterranean. The inaugural departure is scheduled for June 17, 2026, marking the first time travellers in Canada will be able to fly directly to the Balearic Islands without a connecting stop, and opening one of the most anticipated new transatlantic links in the airline's recent history.

Air Canada will be launching nonstop summer flights from Montreal to Palma de Mallorca, Spain, from June 17 to October 23, 2026. Air Canada is the first Canadian airline to serve the destination directly. Flights between Montreal and Palma de Mallorca will operate four days per week with a flight time of 7 hours and 40 minutes.

A Route Built Around a New Aircraft

The Montreal–Palma route was always intended to do two things at once: open a new destination and introduce a new aircraft type. Air Canada announced Montréal to Palma de Mallorca as its first brand-new route to be operated by its Airbus A321 extra-long range (XLR) aircraft. Delivery of the XLR fleet begins in the first quarter of 2026, and in June 2026, Air Canada will inaugurate service from Montréal to the Spanish island in the western Mediterranean onboard this new aircraft.

The A321XLR is a significant aircraft for the airline for reasons that go beyond range. The Airbus A321XLR will be Air Canada's first narrowbody aircraft to feature lie-flat business class seating, with space for 182 passengers, including 14 lie-flat business class seats. That configuration, 14 Signature Class and 168 Economy seats, represents a genuine shift in the airline's narrowbody product, offering a premium experience previously only available on widebody jets. "The XLR is giving us growth," said Alexandre Lefevre, VP, Network Planning, Scheduling and Strategy for Air Canada. "New destinations, or taking over existing routes that only wide-bodies could service." 

Boeing 787-8 Steps In for Most of the Season

The route's aircraft story has evolved considerably since Air Canada first announced it. While Palma was always the flagship destination for the A321XLR, the airline has since substantially scaled back the narrowbody's presence on the route due to ongoing industry-wide supply chain constraints. The Boeing 787-8 will primarily be used instead. The XLR will now only operate eight round-trip services in June, including the inaugural departure on June 17. The 787-8 will then replace it for the rest of the season, until the final Palma-bound departure of the seasonal service leaves on October 23. 

Aircraft performance can take a hit in very hot weather, with fewer passengers, bags, and freight potentially being carried. Galardo singled out Madrid to Toronto as an example, which is a route Iberia announced shortly thereafter on the XLR. Iberia's max block will be nine hours, which will be the same as for Air Canada from Palma back to Montreal. The Boeing 787-8, with its larger passenger capacity and established performance credentials in warm-weather conditions, provides greater operational certainty for the summer season. 

The operational flexibility this arrangement delivers was an important consideration. The A321XLR's first aircraft, registered C-GXLR, completed its maiden test flight at Airbus's Finkenwerder facility in Hamburg on February 27, 2026, marking the final phase of preparation before Air Canada took formal delivery. Even with deliveries underway, ensuring a full summer season of reliable operations on a debut route favoured the more established 787-8 for the bulk of services.

Why Mallorca, and Why Now

"Next summer, we will be launching new services to Sicily and Mallorca from our transatlantic hub in Montreal. Air Canada is the first Canadian airline to offer customers direct flights to these coveted Mediterranean destinations, and the only carrier operating scheduled services from Canada to Sicily and Mallorca, renowned for their stunning beaches, history and culture," said Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Air Canada. 

The Montreal–Palma de Mallorca route, which is just over 3,280 nautical miles (6,000 km) apart, marks the first time a Canadian carrier will offer direct flights to the Balearic Islands. The move is part of Air Canada's strategy to expand its transatlantic network using the A321XLR, which combines extended range with single-aisle economics. 

Mallorca itself draws the profile of passenger Air Canada is actively targeting, leisure travellers seeking Mediterranean sun and culture, and Francophone Canadians in Quebec who are statistically among the most frequent European travellers in the country. The island's popularity among northern European markets has long been established; Air Canada is now seeking to replicate that draw for the North American market from its Montréal hub.

Montréal–Palma de Mallorca Flight Operations Table (Summer 2026)

Service operates seasonally: June 17 – October 23, 2026 (YUL→PMI) and June 18 – October 24, 2026 (PMI→YUL). The inaugural flight on June 17 and the first eight round trips are scheduled to operate on the Airbus A321XLR (182 seats: 14 Signature Class lie-flat, 168 Economy). The Boeing 787-8 takes over for the majority of the season thereafter. Air Canada is the first Canadian airline to operate a scheduled direct service to the Balearic Islands. Route distance: approximately 3,280 nautical miles (6,080 km).

What Comes Next for the A321XLR Fleet

Air Canada's acquisition of the type extends well beyond this single route. Air Canada is acquiring 30 Airbus A321XLR, with the first aircraft to be received in the first quarter of 2026 on lease from Air Lease. The airline is scheduled to receive up to an additional 10 A321XLRs in 2026.

In addition to launching new service to Mallorca, Air Canada will also transition existing routes to the A321XLR, including year-round flights between Montréal and Toulouse, connecting two vibrant francophone cities, and seasonal flights between Montréal and Edinburgh, resuming service in 2026 with an enhanced product offering. As Air Canada takes delivery of additional A321XLR aircraft, the airline will be adding more exciting routes from Toronto, Ottawa and Halifax, amongst other cities.

Mark Galardo, Air Canada's Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, framed the broader significance plainly when the route was first announced: 

"The wait is nearly over as the imminent arrival of the game-changing Airbus A321XLR marks the next phase of international growth at Air Canada. This revolutionary narrow-body aircraft unlocks new, exciting global opportunities with its wide-body range and enhanced onboard product. Today, we begin that journey of growth with the announcement of Palma de Mallorca as the first new destination made possible by this fleet. By leveraging the unique capabilities of the A321XLR, Air Canada becomes the first Canadian airline to offer flights to this Spanish island, renowned for its stunning beaches, history and culture. We look forward to welcoming our customers aboard this exciting new aircraft, which will join our fleet in the coming months."